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Lower Back Pain & Sciatica |
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There are numerous causes of low back pain such as scoliosis, previous back injury, poor posture and pregnancy. Low back pain can present itself in many different ways, some of the warning signs are:
- localised pain that can be low grade, dull and creeping, to sudden, sharp and stabbing
- it can be constant or initiated during certain movements
- traveling pain deep into the buttocks and legs, such as sciatica
- morning stiffness
Osteopaths at COAST can assess structural changes that may lead to immobility and dysfunction. These may be due to:
- recurring injuries
- poor posture and decreased flexibility
- muscular spasm, or
- secondary effects of hip, knee and foot problem
Our Osteopaths then decide which is the most effective course of action by relying principally on physical examination, including observation and sharp palpatory skills to form a diagnosis. Occasionally further investigation is required, which may include radiological, orthopaedic or neurological assessment.
Using manual techniques, such as soft tissue massage and stretching, combined with mobilisation and manipulation of the joints, Osteopaths at COAST treat the condition. They also provide advice on diet, exercise, posture and many other aspects of daily life. |
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Osteopathy offers assistance to asthmatic sufferers by working on all aspects of the breathing mechanism, including the ribs, spine, diaphragm and other muscles of respiration.
Osteopathy can also play an important preventative role in the care of someone who is suffering from asthma. The Osteopath can gently work with the body's structure, to enhance and improve the mechanics of breathing. This is achieved by:
- freeing restrictions of the chest and ribs,
- relaxing the respiratory muscles,
- improving lymphatic drainage from the lungs and airways, and
- enhancing the blood supply to the chest region. |
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Sports Injuries: sprains & strains |
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Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, osteopaths can assist with prevention of injury as well as treatment of many common sporting injuries.
Common sporting injuries osteopaths can treat include:
- neck and back strains
- shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries, eg. tennis elbow
- hip, knee, leg and ankle injuries, eg. shin splints
Ankle and shoulder injuries are very common in amateur and professional sport. These injuries can be poorly treated or not treated at all which can lead to recurrence and early degenerative conditions.
Prevention is definitely better than cure!
Osteopaths at COAST can provide a number of stretching exercises and routines that will specifically assist you with avoiding injury through muscle and joint strain. In addition, depending on your sport and individual needs, we can provide advice on correct diet to assist you in both performance and recovery.
Osteopathic treatment involves manual techniques, including soft tissue stretching, mobilisation and manipulation, which is like a tune up for strained muscles, joints and spine. This creates a positive influence on your circulatory and nervous systems. In turn, this can have a flow on effect to the rest of the body by improving elasticity and mobility. These hands on methods are gentle, safe and effective.
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Osteopaths at COAST can assess and treat many complaints that are associated with pregnancy. These include lower back pain, sciatica (leg pain), neck, shoulder and middle back pain.
As pregnancy progresses there is a shift in the bodies centre of gravity due to the extra weight gained. There is also a softening of supporting ligaments due to hormones releases with pregnancy. This added mechanical stress can cause symptoms such as generalised back pain, sciatica from nerve pressure, pubic symphysis or sacro-iliac joint pain from instability, scoliosis and accentuation of the normal back curves.
The goal of osteopathic treatment is to assist this natural process, maximising the body's ability to adjust and to compensate for the changes as efficiently as possible in support of mother and baby with a minimum of pain and discomfort. Osteopathy has one of the best safety records of any medically related profession. The techniques used during pregnancy are carefully selected in order to minimise the risk. These techniques are gentle and the comfort of the mother is always assured.
At COAST we have a specially designed pregnancy treatment cushion. This lies on top of the treatment couch and has an adjustable padded hole in the centre for the expanding abdomen and holes for the breasts (which are often tender with pregnancy). This allows the mother to lie on her stomach with comfort and therefore the osteopath can treat the back with ease (see picture).
Should I still see an osteopath after the birth of my baby?
Yes, for a whole range of reasons. Some start to experience constant back problems or period pain only after the birth. This can be caused by weakened ligaments and lack of muscle strength, thereby weakening the whole structure.
Whilst mothers are breast-feeding, it can be common for them to experience postural strain and pain in the mid to upper spine. Osteopathic treatment to this region can help ease this discomfort as well as promote better blood flow and lymphatic drainage to the breast area.
Your Osteopath can also provide you with advice on posture for breast feeding position, sleep and daily activities, and also exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor. Osteopathic treatment after delivery provides restoration of the normal mechanics of the back and pelvis optimising the body for an active life.
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Headache, Migraine & Jaw Pain |
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Headache originating from the neck is the most common type of headache. Other varied causes are eyestrain, sinus disease, neck injury (e.g. whiplash), tension headache from stress, poor posture etc., migraines, jaw misalignment (e.g. following dental work).
Osteopaths assess structural changes that may lead to immobility and dysfunction. They do thorough physical examination including observation and palpation, to form a diagnosis.
An Osteopath will work gently with your body to:
- Improve joint mobility (especially in the cervical spine).
- Reduce muscular tension.
- Reduce nerve irritation.
- Improve blood supply and drainage to and from the head and neck.
- Help prevent future headaches with advice on posture, exercises and stretching.
- Provide advice on improved ergonomic environment.
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Because of the wide variety of techniques available to Osteopaths, and our gentle and non-invasive treatment methods, Osteopathy has shown itself over the years to be very suited to the treatment of children.
Toddlers
Generally, kids are very supple and resilient, but playground falls, bangs on the head and bicycle accidents all take their toll. If children complain of persistent pains in joints and muscles with no obvious cause, a visit to the Osteopath may be indicated. Treatment for children uses the most gentle and non-invasive techniques such as cranial work, functional, counterstrain and light soft tissue techniques.
Manipulation is generally not used with younger children. Osteopathy may also be of value, when used in conjunction with appropriate medical management, in helping to improve respiratory function in asthmatic children. In this age range, Osteopaths can also provide valuable advice on the choice of pushers, car safety seats, foot wear etc., in order to reduce the risk of future problems.
Puberty
During the rapid growth phase around puberty and in the early teens, many developmental problems can begin to manifest themselves in the musculo-skeletal structure, such as the onset of juvenile scoliosis (curvature of the spine.) The changes in ligaments that accompany rapid growth can also contribute to a degree of joint instability. Add into this the typical effects of strain injuries from high impact or high risk sports, and the development, in the teens, of postural bad habits, and you can easily see why many adult musculo-skeletal problems have their origin in the teenage years.
Osteopathic treatment during this time therefore has two functions - helping to give immediate relief for injuries, aches and pains, but also helping to ensure, by careful monitoring, that juvenile development is not impaired, and that problems do not manifest in the future. In addition to the techniques used with younger children, low force manipulations may be used with the older age groups if they are appropriate and can be safely used.
Osteopathy - Treatment for the Whole Family
Just as people have a family Doctor, who may care for children throughout their growth and development, so too do many people have a family Osteopath. Osteopathic checking and monitoring of childhood development is one of the best ways of reducing the risk of musculo-skeletal and other problems going undetected and causing difficulties later in life. Prevention is always better than cure, and Osteopathic treatment for children can play just as big a part as dental and eye checks in maintaining the exuberant good health that should be an integral part of growing up.
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Arthritis & Restricted Movement |
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In life, ageing is a natural physiological process. One part of the body, which is greatly affected by the process of ageing, is the musculo-skeletal system. As we get older, the elasticity present within our body deteriorates and thus increases the chance of injuring the soft tissues and bony structures of the body.
The effects of ageing on the body's structure gives rise to symptoms such as:
- generalised, early morning stiffness
- lower back pain and stiffness
- neck pain and arm pain
- hip pain
- arthritis and joint swelling
Arthritis can be broadly divided into two types:
- degenerative (osteoarthritis), and
- inflammatory (rheumatoid)
It is common for people 55+ to suffer the effects of osteoarthritis, namely, pain, stiffness and restricted mobility. Osteopathic treatment can be used to relieve these distressing symptoms. Many people mistakenly believe that the effect of ageing on the body's joints is untreatable and have no alternative but to learn to live with their pain. Medications prescribed for these symptoms such as anti-inflammatories, can often have undesirable side effects. Therefore, osteopathic treatment may be very rewarding to patients if their pain can be substantially reduced using the body's natural healing systems.
Osteopaths often work in conjunction with medical practitioners and realise that patients benefit from a more holistic approach to their health management. Osteopaths may well require X-rays or other tests to help them assess whether treatment will be suitable.
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Book for an appointment below or
Phone us on: 9583 1334
Fax us on: 9583 0801
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| Contact
Us
- info@coastosteo.com.au |
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| If you would like to make an appointment you can either ring us or contact us via the form below. We will get back to you as soon as we can. |
If requesting an appointment please note that we will endeavour to match your request.
Items marked with a * is required information, thank- you. |
| Pregnancy Treatment Cushion |
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| The pregnancy cushion lies on top of the treatment couch and has an adjustable padded hole in the centre for the expanding abdomen and holes for the breasts, therefore allowing the mother to lie on her stomach comfortably.
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