Your Health In Our Hands at
www.badbax.co.uk

The Whitley Bay Osteopathic Centre would like to thank our friends and web partners at Sports & Spinal Physio in Brentwood, Essex for inviting us to promote our services.

The Whitley Bay Osteopathic Centre is one of the foremost practitioners of osteopathy in the North East of England, attracting patients from Newcastle, Sunderland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Northumberland.

The Whitley Bay Osteopathic Centre – Osteopathy Overview

The musculo-skeletal framework supports the vital organs, the neural system and the overall balance of the body. Osteopathy is based on the idea that the body is an integrated system where problems in one area can lead to pain in other areas.

Osteopathic treatment methods are ‘hands on’. Osteopathy improves mobility, relaxes muscles, aids fluid drainage and stabilises the body. Osteopathy is highly effective in the treatment of muscular and skeletal conditions including:

• Back Pain & Spinal Problems
• Headaches & Migraine
• Sciatica
• Joint Pain & Arthritis
• Sports Injuries
• Repetitive Strain Injuries
• Postural Problems
• Childhood Problems & ‘Growing Pains’

Osteopathy is also effective for women during pregnancy, helping the body to support natural changes in balance and posture.

Osteopathy – Referral & Assessment

Osteopathy is available in some areas through the NHS and it is offered by all major private healthcare companies including BUPA, PPP, WPA & Norwich Union, usually subject to referral from a GP. Whitley Bay Osteopathic Centre accepts referrals from GPs, health clinicians and other therapists. Many of our clients were referred by friends and family members who have been treated successfully at the Centre.

At the initial appointment our therapists take a full medical history. Age, lifestyle and other factors have a significant bearing on the causes of the presenting problem and on treatment options. Joints, muscles and posture are examined and we will assess active and passive movements, reflexes, and carry out neurological tests. At all stages the osteopath will explain what is happening, discuss the tests and the results and outline the treatment that will help. Assuming the condition is suitable for osteopathic intervention, a short treatment is carried out on the first visit.

Occasionally the osteopath may refer a patient back to the GP for further tests.

Osteopathic Treatment

Osteopathic treatment varies from patient to patient, depending upon the condition that is being treated.

Osteopathy is a ‘hands on’ treatment ranging from the lightest touch for cranial osteopathy to the more
dramatic joint manipulation of high velocity thrust (HVT) treatment. More common for most people is the
comfortable stretching of muscles and ligaments in and around the affected areas.

Treatment sessions typically last for 30 minutes during which time the osteopath will prescribe stretching and
joint manipulation exercises to be carried out by patients between sessions. The majority of Whitley Bay
Osteopathic Centre patients see a marked improvement in their symptoms within three or four sessions.

Osteopathy – Frequently Asked Questions

Many people are still unfamiliar with osteopathy, or confuse osteopathy with physiotherapy, massage or chiropractice. Chiropractors typically focus on the alignment of the skeleton and less on the muscles and other soft tissues. Chiropractic sessions tend to be of a shorter duration that osteopathy. Massage is an effective treatment for muscle strain, tension and rehabilitation from physical injuries but there is less attention given to posture and the impact on other physical symptoms or conditions. Physiotherapy gives an effective assessment of symptoms but often relies on physical equipment in the diagnosis and treatment of physical problems.

The most common question is, ‘Does osteopathy hurt?’ The short answer is ‘No!’ Treatments are tailored to the patient. There may be some soreness in cases where joint and muscle manipulation has increased mobility but any tenderness should not last more than 24 hours.

Further Information / Contact Us

Further information is given on our website at www.badbax.co.uk including many more FAQs.

If you have a specific question or you would like to book an appointment give us a call on (0191) 252 1555.