Osteopathy

What we do

Osteopaths have a holistic approach and believe that your whole body will work well if your body is in good structural balance. Imagine, for example, a car that has one of its front wheels not quite pointing straight. It may run well for a while, but after a few thousand miles, the tyre will wear out. You can apply this example to the human body, which is why it is so important to keep the body in good balance. We use a wide range of techniques, including massage, cranial techniques (sometimes referred to as 'cranial osteopathy') and joint mobilization and this breadth of approach allows us to focus on every patient's precise needs. Osteopaths assess and treat people of any age from the elderly to the newborn and from pregnant women to sports people.

Osteopathy and The Wellness Centre

Professionalism and Safety

To qualify, an osteopath must study for four to five years for an undergraduate degree. This is similar to a medical degree, with more emphasis on anatomy and musculoskeletal medicine and includes more than 1,000 hours of training in osteopathic techniques. By law, osteopaths must register with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). It is an offence for anyone to call themselves an osteopath if they are not registered. In the UK Osteopaths are 'primary care practitioners', this means they are qualified to provide both the first contact for a person with an undiagnosed health concern as well as continuing care of varied medical conditions, not limited by cause, organ system, or diagnosis.

The British Medical Association's guidance for general practitioners states that doctors can safely refer patients to osteopaths.

Referrals to complementary therapists

Osteopaths at The Wellness Centre

Jason Harmer Bsc(Hons) Osteopathy – A registered Osteopath who trained at The College of Osteopaths in London. His approach to treatment is to work with your bodies response to maximise the comfort and effectiveness of the treatment whilst minimising any reaction afterwards. He treats with structural and cranial techniques.

Ann Nolan is a registered osteopath with the General Osteopathic Council. She keeps up to date with CPD (Continuing Professional Development) and is experienced in foot biomechanics, acupuncture, for pain relief, core stability and much more.

Christina Raven (B.Mus., D.O., MSCC.,) qualified at the British School of Osteopathy in 1990, and has taught at the European School of Osteopathy. Her philosophy is to support the body’s natural healing response, with a strong but gentle hands-on approach using cranial techniques and deep muscle work, as well as exercises and suggestions for healthy living. She enjoys treating patients of all ages. Osteopathy is about bodies, not just backs!