Osteopathy

Osteopath - Belinda Eyers DO

 

Clinic Times: 

Monday & Tuesday 8.30am - 1pm

Wednesday 2pm - 6pm

Thursday 8.30am - 1pm

Session Price: £43 for 1/2 hour 

 

A Short Notice cancellation fee of £25 applies where appointments are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.

Belinda qualified in 1987 with a Diploma in Advanced Manipulation and Classical Osteopathy (it became a degree course in the 1990s). This 4 year, full time course included human anatomy, physiology, pathology, dissection, technique, neurology, clinical diagnosis, and many hours in the clinic working with Tutors, and other students, on patients. After graduating she set up her practice in Chew Magna, which then moved after 16 years, to Chew Stoke. Belinda's clinic in The Chew Valley has allowed her to gain extensive knowledge in treating a wide variety of injuries and problems, from work, sports or movement related injuries, to secondary problems caused by or linked to pre-existing conditions such as Arthritis. Her day to day practice has also allowed her to gain a much sought after expertise in the treatment and management of hyper mobile joints, and the more serious, life long condition of Hyper Mobility Syndrome/HMS (also known as Ehlers Danlos type 3, Ehlers Danlos Hypermobility Type, Joint Hypermobility Syndrome/JHMS). Both conditions were first named in the late 1980s and as yet are still little understood and chronically under diagnosed in mainstream medicine.

ABOUT OSTEOPATHY

Osteopathy is a form of diagnosis and treatment for the whole of the musculo-skeletal system. This actually includes all of the joints, muscles, nerves, and ligaments in the body. It is based on a holistic approach of balancing all of the above structures, so that they all work efficiently together, and so reducing unnecessary stress and strain on the body, and then allowing tissue repair and the return to normal function.

Osteopathic Philosophy has not changed since the discipline was founded at the end of the 1800s. Continuing research into human physiology has increased the depth of knowledge Osteopaths have about the structure and function of the body. So the ability to diagnose and hence the understanding of what is effective in treatment has gradually changed during this time.

Attitudes towards Osteopathy have changed as knowledge of what it can benefit has become more widespread. People come to an Osteopath because they know that the CAUSE (which can often be seemingly quite removed from the site of pain) of the pain will be treated, rather than just having it concealed with painkillers. People can't afford to take time off work so they want a therapy that works.

WHAT CAN OSTEOPATHS TREAT?

Due to the fact that osteopaths treat the whole of the musculo-skeletal system, this means that the therapy can treat far more than just low back pain - the whole of the spine can be treated as well and it doesn't stop with that! Osteopaths treat all of the other joints in the body too. This includes hips, shoulders, knees, elbows, ankles, hands and feet.

• Sciatica
• RSI
• Disc pain
• Headaches
• Migraine
• Sports injuries such as Tennis & Golfers elbow
• Postural problems (sometimes as a result of spinal scoliosis)
• Stiffness and pain associated with Arthritis
• Stiffness, pain, and minor manipulations associated with Hyper Mobility Syndrome
• Back ache from pregnancy (this is during or after the pregnancy itself)
• "Frozen" or stiff shoulders

Note: Children and young adults also benefit from treatment.

APPOINTMENTS WITH AN OSTEOPATH

You do not need a doctors referral to go and see an osteopath. You may decide that you have a problem, which you feel is in need of treatment, in which case you can just ring and make an appointment.

Osteopathic Appointments at Chew Valley Therapies are 30 minutes.

Even if you have seen an osteopath before, during your first appointment with a new osteopath you will be asked to provide a history of your general health as well as information about your reason for visiting.

If your condition is not one that can be helped by Osteopathy, or that would benefit more from another therapy, then you will be informed that this is the case.

 

Click here to see a short video about visiting a new Osteopath for the first time.

 

What happens at your First Appointment with an Osteopath

¨  At your first visit to see us, you will be asked to fill out a consent form prior to going in for your appointment; we are required by law to hold the name, address and contact details of all of our patients and cannot treat you without a signed consent form.

¨ When you go in to your first appointment with the Osteopath, you will be asked detailed questions about your complaint, medical history, general health and any medication that you may be taking. This is because the Osteopath needs to know about your health, past and present before she can treat you.

¨ The Osteopath needs to see the area that is causing the problem and the area surrounding it, so you may be asked to undress to your underwear.

¨ Observation of movement is an important part of osteopathic diagnosis, so it is helpful to the Osteopath to be able to observe movement or any difficulty experienced through getting undressed. You can however ask the Osteopath to leave the room while you get changed if you prefer. We can also provide an examination gown upon request.

¨  After these observations, the Osteopath will make a diagnosis which she will discuss with you. Some treatment will then be given. This will be a shorter treatment than any subsequent sessions.

After Treatment

¨  You may feel uncomfortable for a short while immediately after treatment, or you may find you feel a bit sore, achy or “bruised” the next day, or even two to three days after the treatment. This is completely normal - different bodies react differently to treatments, so do not worry if your reaction to treatment is different to others you may know.

¨  Some patients can sometimes feel shaky or lightheaded shortly after treatment. This is nothing to worry about - it is the body’s reaction to the treatment. If you find you are effected this way, keep well hydrated with plenty of water, and maybe have a hot sweet tea or a high energy yielding snack such as a banana, nuts or yoghurt.

¨  It is unlikely that the Osteopath will be able to “fix” your problem in just one session, but she can give you a rough estimate of how many treatments you may need after diagnosis. At your second appointment she will ask you how you felt after your first treatment, and will want to know about any stiffness or pain you may have experienced, as well as when and for how long. This will help her assess what the treatment did for you, and will allow her to give you a better idea of how many further treatments you might need.

Things to do at Home

¨  In order to help with your recovery, the Osteopath may suggest that you make some alterations to your daily routine. These are usually minor (change the height of your desk chair, use cushions when sitting on the sofa, put a pillow between your knees in bed etc) and are sometimes only needed temporarily. Sometimes minor changes to diet may be suggested, along with introducing certain supplements. If you do very physical work or hobbies, she may recommend that you avoid these for a short while if you can - a letter for an employer can be provided upon request and would be subject to an admin charge.

¨  Occasionally the Osteopath may recommend that you use/wear some sort of support or brace to support the injured area during recovery or during specific activities. If this should be the case, she will recommend what type of item you need, but cannot supply it to you herself, although she may be able to order something on your behalf from a medical supplier. Otherwise you will need to source the recommended item yourself - if so she will direct you where best to go.

TREATMENT

Osteopaths use mainly just their hands to do a variety of techniques.

Treatment can range from soft tissue massage, to muscles and ligaments, articulation to joints, through to Osteopathic Manipulation, otherwise know as HVT, (High Velocity Thrust). This is often accompanied with a popping, or clicking noise.

The reasons for using these techniques will be explained to you, and any concerns that you may have will be addressed. If you really feel that you would rather not have any of the treatments, other options, if possible can then be looked at.

TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS

As Osteopathy is a "hands on" therapy, telephone consultations have limited use in treatment. However, sometimes patients require advice or reassurance that can be given over the phone. While Belinda does not routinely offer telephone appointments, patients are welcome to call us at any time if advice is needed. We may have to take a message if Belinda is not available, and, where appropriate, Belinda may ask one of our Admin Team to call you back to pass on standard advice. For more detailed or sensitive information, Belinda will call patients herself at her earliest opportunity.

PRACTICING OSTEOPATHS now have to routinely take part in 30 hours of Continued Professional Development every year. This has come about after the introduction of The Osteopaths Act in 1993. This was introduced by, the General Osteopathic Council. All Osteopaths are regulated by the Council. It is their job to make sure that anyone who calls themselves an Osteopath is fully qualified, and is a competent practitioner.

To read Articles by Belinda, go to our Articles Index