Osteopathy

Osteopath - Belinda Eyers DO

 

Clinic Times: 

Monday & Tuesday 8.30am - 1pm

Wednesday 2pm - 6pm

Thursday 8.30am - 1pm

Session Price: £42 for 1/2 hour

 

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

Belinda trained for 4 years to become an osteopath. This was a full time course, which included human anatomy, physiology, pathology, dissection, technique, neurology, clinical diagnosis, and many hours in the clinic working with Tutors, and other students, on patients. Advanced Manipulation and Classical Osteopathy, which are now taught as separate, additional modules to the modern qualification, were taught as standard sections of this Diploma, in which Belinda qualified in 1987 (it became a degree course in the 1990s). After this she set up her practice in Chew Magna, which then moved after 16 years, to Chew Stoke. Belinda recently celebrated 25 years of practice in The Chew Valley, during which time she has gained 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 are considered to be “newly recognised” (first named in the late 1980s) and as such 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. 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.

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 does 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 we treat the whole of the musculo-skeletal system, this means that we don't just treat low back pain, we can treat the whole of the spine as well! It doesn't stop with that! We 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.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEE 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.

Click here to see what to expect in your appointment

Your appointment will last about 30 minutes. During this time you will be asked all about the problem that you have come with, and also about your past history, including all aspects of your health and well being. This is so that a diagnosis can be made, based on you, and what may have occurred at some point in the past to have contributed to this problem.

For the examination and treatment, it may be necessary for you to remove some of your outer clothes. This is so that it is possible to see the joint or area that needs attention, and also to assess the surrounding joints and muscles so that a full diagnosis and treatment plan can be formed.

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.

TREATMENT

Once a diagnosis has been reached, and discussed, the treatment can then be decided. Once again, you will be told what form this will take, and any questions that you may have will be answered.

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.

AFTER TREATMENT CARE

Any possible side effects, such as soreness or stiffness following on from the treatment will be discussed as well as any exercises that are appropriate. Other advice, such as using heat, ice, or both will be talked about. Sometimes, short term changes in life style will be touched upon. These may include whether or not to stop playing a particular sport, or to start some short of exercise, such as walking or swimming.

Sometimes it is necessary to include a slight change in diet to make sure that you are receiving all the correct nutrients, and enough water and fluids.

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