Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a unique system of diagnosis and treatment, a patient centred therapy that lays its its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is a way of detecting and treating damaged/injured parts of the body (and thus alleviating pain) in tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. When the body is balanced (in alignment) it will function efficiently with the minimum of wear, stress and energy, thereby reducing pain and disease. It is our aim as Osteopaths to achieve such balance. Such wear & tear, can after years, irritate the nerves to our muscles & organs leaving them either sensitive or overworked or both. This is usually the main cause for symptoms such as heartburn, asthma, IBS, constipation, dietry sensitivities, head ache, back ache, neck ache – the list is long

Our main strength lies in the unique way that the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural (a Holistic) point of view.

The treatment you receive will be tailor-made to your individual condition. We combine a variety of different techniques depending on what will best aid your recovery and reduce your pain. This includes spinal manipulation, cranial osteopathy, soft tissue massage, mobilisation, dietary advice, postural and ergonomic support, specific exercises and stretches and acupuncture. For certain conditions like pregnancy or IBS for example, the osteopath might suggest you also have another therapy to ensure a swift and full recovery, like Massage or Reflexology.

The osteopaths at Prestbury Holistic Centre are fully qualified from a minimum of four years full time training and registered with the General Osteopathic Council

Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathic treatment that uses very gentle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body, including the head. At the time of its discovery it was thought only to work on the head/cranium, hence its name. Because it is gentle, this type of treatment is suitable for everyone from newborn babies to the very elderly.

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med

Karl J Turner BSc (HONS) Ost Med has been working for 12 years as an Osteopath/Cranial osteopath (8 years at Cheltenham Holistic Health Centre), prior to which he worked as an auxillary nurse. He studied osteopathic medicine, which means he is trained to use osteopathy to treat chest, ear and throat infections and difficulties with breathing and digestion as well as aches, pains and injuries.

Karl has an interest in helping relieve the strains of pregnancy and labour, as well as complications of delivery using a mix of both cranial and structural osteopathy.

Joanna Pooley

Joanna Pooley is a structural osteopath, graduating from BSO. She has six years experience of sports therapy and rehabilitation, specialising in post operative programming. This includes appropriate individual training advice and exercise prescription to enhance manual treatment.

She also has qualifications in nutrition and sports massage, working with International Rugby teams and the London Marathon Runners.