Osteopathy, like many other disciplines, is at its best both a Science and an Art. The Science in Osteopathy is the study and understanding of Human Anatomy (the nuts and bolts of the body), Physiology (how the nuts and bolts work and what they do), and Pathology (what happens when the nuts and bolts don't … Continue reading The Art and Science of Osteopathy
Rhythm and Routine
Rhythm and routine is something that I think is at the very core of health, but can be misunderstood and have bad connotations for some people. I am talking here about daily rhythms and routines like meal times and bed times, but also the inherent rhythm in the movement of walking, swimming or cycling, as … Continue reading Rhythm and Routine
Freedom for your feet?
I have always encouraged patients to wear shoes that are wide and shaped like your foot. Narrow and pointy shoes prevent the foot from working properly and I feel contribute to local foot problems (like Bunions, and Norton's Neuroma). Narrow shoes also have an impact further up the body on knees, hips, lower back and … Continue reading Freedom for your feet?
Ergonomics Driving
Driving is often an issue for people with back problems, and part of that is just the nature of the beast. Being fixed in one position for long periods of time without a break is not great at the best of times, then add onto that poor design and position of the pedals that may … Continue reading Ergonomics Driving
Lying Posture- Neutral Pelvis
I have so far in these articles talked about the neutral posture sitting and standing (which you can read on my website blog if you have missed). Here I will talk about the neutral posture lying, and in particular what the pelvis is doing. I often ask patients to lye down for either 20 minutes … Continue reading Lying Posture- Neutral Pelvis
Should my baby/child be sleeping with a pillow?
Babies don't need pillows to sleep with. The only time it may be useful for a baby to sleep with a pillow is if they have a very flat/asymmetric back of the head. In that case a very small flat baby pillow can be helpful to soften the lie on the flat bit and minimize … Continue reading Should my baby/child be sleeping with a pillow?
How Many Pillows Should I Sleep With?
The answer to this question depends on what position you normally sleep in. Most people tend to sleep on their side, so we will start with that scenario. If you sleep lying on your side, you need enough pillow so that the head is roughly in line with the spine. The pillow is there to … Continue reading How Many Pillows Should I Sleep With?
Films About Vipassana Meditation
There are a number of films you can watch at the Dhamma Films webpage (use the arrows, right and left of the image on the above weblink, to choose the film you want to watch). These range from short inspiring introductions to Vipassana Meditation, to full feature documentaries; DOING TIME DOING VIPASSANA- This is my all time … Continue reading Films About Vipassana Meditation
Standing Posture; Neutral
This is another exercise I often get patients to do at home between treatments. It is very good at re-setting our standing posture to 'Neutral', when used on a daily basis. Standing upright, look down at your feet. Most people's feet are slightly turned out; if so turn them to 12 o'clock, and if anything … Continue reading Standing Posture; Neutral
Managing Acute Lower Back Pain
Below is a copy of the information sheet I give out to patients with acute lower back pain. It is especially designed for people with prolapsed disks, but the general do's and don'ts are just as helpful for other types of lower back problems as well as musculosceletal problems in other areas of the body … Continue reading Managing Acute Lower Back Pain
Sitting Posture and Ergonomic Stools
A topic that comes up quite allot in clinic is posture sitting at a desk. My favourite thing to sit on at a desk is a stool. In my opinion a stool is better than a chair because you are less tempted to role back off your sitting bones into a slouch as you get … Continue reading Sitting Posture and Ergonomic Stools
Meditation Courses for Children
There are meditation courses especially designed and run for children. These are taught over the course of a weekend, and are run at the meditation centre in Herefordshire (called Dhamma Dipa), as well as in other sites around the UK. The courses are separated into 8-12 year old, and 12-18 year old age groups. They … Continue reading Meditation Courses for Children
Mini Anapana Discourse
Vipassana meditation is taught in the form of 10 day courses. You can find out more by reading my post on Vipassana Meditation or by visiting the Dhamma Dipa website. There is a short discourse that SN Goenka made for people who for whatever reason feel they can't take the time to do a full 10 … Continue reading Mini Anapana Discourse
Vipassana Meditation
Vipassana meditation was the original technique of self purification taught by Gotama the Buddha in India around 500 BC. It is currently taught in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin and SN Goenka, in the UK at the Herefordshire meditation centre -known as Dhamma Dipa, and at the Suffolk Centre- known as Dhamma Sukhakāri … Continue reading Vipassana Meditation
Orthodontic braces and the Myobrace approach
Osteopathic treatment before and during Orthodontic treatment can be very helpful. Before the Orthodontic treatment begins Osteopaths look to get the face, head and body as a whole as free and mobile as possible to be able to respond to the demands the braces are going to create. During the period where you are actually … Continue reading Orthodontic braces and the Myobrace approach
Vaccination
Below is an article on vaccination and the immune system. It describes the effect vaccinations have on the two different aspects of the immune system; Humoral and Cell Mediated. I found it very well written and an interesting outlook on the vaccination debate. Understanding the Immune System and Vaccination I am personally not against vaccination, … Continue reading Vaccination
Traffic light system for identifying risk of serious illness
I recently went to a Paediatric Osteopathy Conference and one of the lecturers (Dr. Jayne Donegan) showed us this chart. It is the NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) 'Traffic light system for identifying risk of serious illness'. I think this chart is brilliant, I wish I had it when my children were … Continue reading Traffic light system for identifying risk of serious illness
