Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy started in the United States in the early nineteenth century when Andrew Taylor Still developed a method of treating and maintaining health in an era before modern drug and surgical medicine. Osteopathy is now a well-established and fully regulated profession; training involves a fulltime four-year degree course.

The philosophy behind Osteopathy is that structure governs function to maintain good blood supply throughout the body. By keeping the body posture upright and balanced blood can flow more effectively and keep you healthy.

From the Oxford Dictionary

Osteopathy is the treatment of disease through manipulation of the bones.

Chiropractic is the treatment of disease through manipulation of the spinal column.

Physiotherapy is the treatment of disease through exercise, heat or other physical agencies.

Osteopathy can offer effective pain relief for a wide variety of muscular and joint problems, including:

Arthritic Pain
Sciatica
Joint pain
Neuralgia
Muscle spasm

If you need relief from back pain, neck pain, joint pain or headaches, our highly-trained team of osteopaths are here to treat your symptoms.

We use a variety of techniques specific for the patients individual needs, including manipulation, articulation, soft tissue releases, fascial work, MET, NMT, visceral and cranio-sacral techniques as well as kinesio taping, cupping and dry needling.

Common causes of these problems are:

Straining your back gardening
Lower back pain because of a recent pregnancy or injury
Shoulder tension from working long hours at the computer, tablet or phone
Chronic inescapable stress

What to expect when visiting an Osteopath

A full case-history is taken
You should wear appropriate underwear or bring shorts to change into for the initial physical examination
After the examination, your Osteopath will be able to give you a working diagnosis
Following discussion, and with your verbal consent, you will be treated
An initial consultation can last up to an hour
Follow-on treatments are usually half-an-hour long
Improvement is usually felt after three sessions, sometimes sooner
Payment for Osteopathy is to the practitioner by cash, cheque, cheque or by bank transfer (BACS).

Contact

Frequently asked questions

Does osteopathic treatment hurt? Sometimes, when there is a lot of pain already, treatment may be uncomfortable, but we try to ease your pain as gently as possible.

Does it hurt afterwards? Occasionally there may be some soreness after treatment. This can last for a day or two (48hours). Gentle stretching and the application of ice to the area can help. Always contact the Osteopath if you are
worried.

Do I have to be “clicked”? No. There are many different techniques that the Osteopath can use to ease your pain.

Do I have to undress? As part of the clinical examination you may be asked to undress to your underwear. Please feel free to bring shorts to change into.

How many treatments will I need? After the first consultation, and two follow on treatments, your Osteopath will have a good idea if their approach is correct for you. Treatments will then continue if needed. After discussion it is possible that the best approach for you may be a referral to another therapist or discipline.

When treating babies, from what age do you treat? At the Bampton Clinic treatment is given from two weeks old.

If I have an underlying medical condition, can you treat me? Yes, but if you are worried it is always best to check with your GP.

Philippa was born locally and brought up in a medical family. Her father was a surgeon and her mother a nurse. She has been practising Registered Osteopath for over thirty years in Bampton as well as overseas. For over a decade, until recently, she was a Clinic Tutor and Internal Examiner for final year students on the Osteopathic Degree course at Oxford Brookes University. In 2006, she took over The Bampton Clinic.

At the same time Philippa helped to run multidisciplinary workshops with a dressage trainer and Pilates instructor, working both with riders and their horses to improve their performances.

Philippa is passionate about her work, treating all ages from babies to the elderly. She is devoted to her “unworking” cocker spaniel, Maple.

Philippa Rayne

Osteopath

Miles graduated from the European School of Osteopathy and set up a clinic in Highworth.

He joined The Bampton Clinic in 2012 and since then has developed his skills in osteopathic care for children, while continuing his work treating patients with sporting injuries.

As part of his ongoing professional development he completed training in Kinesio Taping for sports and Myofascial acupuncture, which he uses alongside his osteopathic work.

Miles Holloway

Osteopath

Amy Norman graduated from the European School of Osteopathy where she gained her Integrated Masters in Osteopathy.

Amy initially trained as a Biomedical Scientist but became an Osteopath so that she could work with people. She has gained diverse clinical experience, especially with amputees, while working within her local G.P. surgery in Bath.

She now works in Hungerford and Bampton and has a special interest in sports injuries. Amy is also qualified in dry needling and Kinesio Taping and treats patients of all ages from babies to the elderly.

Amy Norman

Osteopath

Toby Gwyn-Williams graduated from the European School of Osteopathy, where he gained his integrated Masters in Osteopathy. Prior to this, Toby gained a masters Diploma in Sports Medicine from the Ramworth Centre. Toby has worked in surgical theatres, (anaesthetics).

He is a member of faculty at the European School of Osteopathy where, not only is he a Final Osteopathic Practitioners Examiner, he is a mentor and a personal tutor. Toby is also qualified in the western form of acupuncture.