What is Osteopathy
Osteopathy, developed in the USA by Dr Andrew Taylor Still in 1874, is a holistic manual therapy that supports the body’s natural self-healing abilities. Since its inception, osteopathy has become widely recognised alongside traditional medicine in the USA, Europe, and Australia.
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The goal of osteopathy is to activate your body’s innate healing powers and restore optimal health. The human body is always treated as a whole, rather than focusing solely on a single symptom, such as back pain or foot problems.
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Osteopathy is based on the principle that structure (how the body is built) and function (how it works) are interrelated. Restrictions or dysfunctions can develop due to a variety of physical, emotional, or lifestyle stresses. Common contributing factors include poor posture, repetitive movements, accidents, sporting injuries, and general musculoskeletal strain. By addressing both the underlying causes and the symptoms, osteopathy helps improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote long-term wellbeing.
Classical Osteopathy
Classical osteopathy focuses on the relationship between body mechanics and overall health, with the goal of helping the body find its most neutral, balanced position. When the body is in balance, it can recover more effectively from injury, illness, or musculoskeletal strain.
Healthy body tissues rely on proper blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and nervous system function. Osteopathy views disease and dysfunction as the body’s adaptation when these essential needs are compromised due to imbalances in structure or function.
Treatment in classical osteopathy aims to restore harmony by improving the body’s relationship with gravity and promoting integrated function between tissues and systems. Using gentle, rhythmic movements and precise adjustments, the body is supported to relax, recover, and maintain optimal function.
Craniosacral / Biodynamic Osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy is a gentle, holistic approach that works with the central nervous system, supporting cranial fluid flow and overall body rhythm. This subtle form of osteopathy can be safely used for people of all ages, from infants to older adults.
During treatment, a cranial osteopath gently tunes into the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms, releasing tension and strains to restore balance and promote homeostasis. This approach encourages the body to function optimally, supporting recovery from musculoskeletal issues, stress, and postural imbalances.
Cranial osteopathy can also have a profound effect on emotional and spiritual wellbeing. The body may continue to adapt and heal for several days after a session, allowing long-lasting benefits to be experienced.
Fascial Counterstrain FSC
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Facial Counterstrain (FCS) is a precise osteopathic technique that uses diagnostic tender points to identify painful, reflexively protected, or contracted tissues. These reflex tissue contractions can occur in deep fascia layers, skeletal muscles, or smooth muscle structures in response to a range of mechanical or chemical stresses.
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Common triggers include trauma, surgery, postural strain, repetitive movements, infections, or long-term inflammatory diets. Once present, these reflex muscular dysfunctions can contribute to a variety of symptoms and conditions, including pain, tension, and restricted movement.
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As part of ongoing professional development, Michael is increasingly integrating FCS techniques into his treatments to provide targeted relief. Patients are welcome to discuss their preferred treatment style with Michael to ensure care is tailored to their needs.