Streatham Osteopaths https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/ Excellence in Osteopathic care in the heart of Streatham SW16 Wed, 14 Oct 2026 07:02:30 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Streatham-Osteopaths-logo-2024-85x85.png Streatham Osteopaths https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/ 32 32 Stretching https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/stretching/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 15:36:50 +0000 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/?p=1727 As an osteopath, one of the most common things I get asked about when the subject of exercise comes up is about stretching. Everyone seems to know they should stretch, and yet there is a surprising amount of confusion about some of the foundations and goals of what stretching is about. However one thing which […]

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]]> As an osteopath, one of the most common things I get asked about when the subject of exercise comes up is about stretching.

Everyone seems to know they should stretch, and yet there is a surprising amount of confusion about some of the foundations and goals of what stretching is about. However one thing which people seemingly all know is the need to stretch either before or after exercise or both.

Some confusion is understandable, given there is a lot of seemingly contradictory advice, and this is underlined by the fact that the clinical evidence also seems to say that stretching is either harmful or not. 

Adding to the mix is the fact that some people don’t believe in stretching at all, including some high-end athletes.

My own approach is to hopefully arm the patient with an understanding of the goals of a stretching routine and of the tissues involved and how they are likely to be affected by different techniques.

Considerations

  • Why; what are the goals?
  • When: before or after exercise?
  • What: what structures are involved?
  • How: static stretching or dynamic stretching, and for how long?

 

The truth is that while the first two questions are reasonably simple to answer, there is a surprising amount of confusion about exactly how to go about answering the third, which is, after all, where the crux of the matter lies.

Goals

  • To prevent or reduce post-exercise pain
  • To improve the range of movement at a joint
  • To improve muscle strength and responsiveness
  • To restore resting muscle tone and prevent hypertonicity
  • To improve blood flow

 

Tissues affected

It’s common to think of stretching as focusing on muscles, but it’s important to bear in mind there are four major tissues which control the range of movement of a particular joint, and stretching will affect all four;

Muscles

  • Myofibrils – active contraction
  • Fast contraction/relaxation cycle – neurologically controlled

Fascia ​

  • Collagen/elastin fibre mix with myofibroblasts
  • Tough, elastic, with some degree of a slow contraction/relaxation cycle

Ligaments

  • Collagen > elastin fibre mix
  • Little elasticity

Tendons

  • Collagen >> elastin fibre mix
  • Almost no elasticity

For the purposes of this discussion, I’m going to skip over the tendons and ligaments, not because they’re irrelevant but because the kinds of increase in range of movement needed are usually for specialist sports such as gymnastics or ballet.  Instead, I’m going to look at the muscles and fascia, their tissues and function.

Now, traditional stretching normally focuses on a variation of ‘pulling the muscle to make it longer’, but it is important to remember that muscle is the most dynamic of these four tissues and has several mechanisms which affect its tone and, therefore, the length.

Muscle

‘Normal’ muscle contraction is done by myofibrils are under alpha neuron (conscious) control. We normally think that a muscle contracts when we tell it to and relaxes when we don’t, but it is very much more complex than that.  It’s important to remember that muscles are never fully relaxed – there is always a degree of contraction happening. When we look at a classic agonist/antagonist pair like biceps/triceps, what we think is that when biceps contract, triceps is relaxed, when what is actually happening is that when we contract biceps, the neurological control of triceps is lessening, but there is still some contraction happening.

As well as conscious control, muscles are also under control from beta and gamma neurons – unconscious control. These are important in maintaining resting tone and in responding to the stretch receptors within the muscle and feeding that back into controlling the degree of contraction.

This is the crux; muscles often respond to being stretched by… contracting the muscle. Stretch the muscle, and you can make the muscle… shorter.

However, these same unconscious neurological controls can also be put to effective use, and indeed, several osteopathic techniques do so. In the biceps/triceps example given above, when biceps are heavily contracted, the gamma gain of triceps is reduced (reciprocal inhibition resulting in a reduction of tone (Mosier & Kohara, 2007).

With post isometric relaxation technique, muscles are put at the physiological boundary, the muscle is isometrically contracted, and then a more effective stretch further into the boundary is possible (Mosier & Kohara, 2007).

Additionally, we can hold the muscle passively in its shortest position, and this has been shown to reduce the gamma gain and so reduce resting tone (Chaitow, 2007). So reducing the length of the muscle makes it… longer.

Fascia

Fascia can be best thought of as a weblike sheet surrounding several muscles in functional groups. For instance, the quadriceps, hamstrings and adductor groups of the thigh are contained within individual fascial sheets.  Fascia is composed of a mostly collagen/elastin mix, giving it a degree of both strength and flexibility and within the matrix are also myofibroblasts, which also give a degree of contractility.

Another important property of fascia is its viscoelasticity – it responds to being stretched differently depending on the degree of force it’s put under.  If a strong force is put in, it is more elastic; if a slower, more sustained force is put in, the cross bridges between fibres can break down, and it becomes more susceptible to deformation or stretching.  Furthermore, this viscoelasticity is further affected by temperature – the connective tissue fibres become more pliable and less brittle when warm. 

Myofascia

So, in a living body, muscle and fascia are distinct tissues and respond differently both to physical force and to their control methods, but they act as functional units, working together, so what affects one must affect the other. So now, instead of muscles and fascia, we have groups of myofascia or more accurately, myofascial chains.

The fascia of one compartment can be continuous with that of another to form chains of muscle groups; for instance, the fascia which surrounds the hamstring group of the thigh continues into that surrounding the calf muscles – gastrocs and soleus.  This helps us understand how tightness in one fascial group can cause tightness in another.

So now the how – how to stretch.

My own approach is to forget altogether about stretching per se and think more of having a routine which involves some stretches. Before exercise, warm-up requires both activating to increase their blood flow and to literally warm up the tissues – as we’ve seen, when the muscle group’s connective tissue fibres are warm, they are more pliable and less likely to tear.

Under this picture, stretching before exercise, before the tissues are even warm, can actually increase the likelihood of injury, and indeed, there is no clear evidence that pre-exercise stretching reduces injury rates.

The best advice I would give here is to warm up functionally – if you’re running, run slowly to warm up; if a cricketer practises batting or bowling with increasing intensity until the tissues are warmed up. Maybe a few functional stretches to work out particular areas of tightness.

After exercise, again, what are the goals?  To restore the muscle to a resting state, reduce muscle tone and increase blood flow.

Under this picture, a functional approach to cooldown, which could include some stretching, would be a better approach. We’ve seen that sustained load can help stretch fascial sheets, so I wouldn’t necessarily discard it, but by applying the principles of function, of changing muscle tone using the neurological control mechanisms, we can achieve better results.

After exercise, we need to restore a resting state in some way. After a 10k run, say, the muscles of the whole body have gone through a precise sequence of contractions around 10,000 times, so it’s no surprise that some transition is needed to get the body back into operating into a resting state.

Gary Gray recommends ‘de-sequencing’ these neuromuscular patterns – running a few yards with shorter, longer, sideways and backwards gaits in order to get the muscles out of the repetitive loading pattern they’ve been in. There is a great video on this here.

If particular areas still feel tight and massage isn’t an option, then some stretching may be needed, but pure static stretching doesn’t fit with the functional model, which is how the body works. My advice is always to try dynamic stretching, and if you don’t know a particular stretch, then search YouTube for dynamic stretches of the hamstrings, which will give you lots of options to try.

So to conclude – traditional static stretching is unlikely to lengthen muscles directly, although it is likely to affect the fascial sheets which surround them. In order to decrease muscle tone and increase length, some dynamic or functional stretching is likely to be more effective as it affects the neurological paths that control muscle tone and can affect the fascia along an entire myofascial chain.

References

Simic et al., 2012. Does pre-exercise static stretching inhibit maximal muscular performance? A meta-analytical review. Scan Jour Med Sci. 2013 Mar;23(2):131-48

Kay and Blazevich, 2012. Effect of acute static stretch on maximal muscle performance: a systematic review. Med Sci Sports Exerc.  Jan;44(1):154-64

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]]> What causes the ‘clicking’ noise? https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/what-causes-the-clicking-noise/ Tue, 21 Nov 2023 11:29:12 +0000 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/?p=1499 One of the more common questions we get asked is about joint manipulation - the clicking technique we do to release joints.

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Understanding Joint Manipulation

Curious about the ‘clicking’ sound during joint manipulation?

This technique involves gently tensing a joint and applying a quick, subtle movement to release tension. The outcome often includes a faint ‘popping’ noise reminiscent of knuckle cracking. We use this technique because it has a proven ability to improve joint mobility and relieve pain.

For example, if one lumbar vertebra is less mobile than the others, joint manipulation can alleviate the restriction, reducing the workload on neighbouring joints. Additionally, this technique may stimulate endorphin release, providing pain relief and boosting the body’s immune response.

However, not everyone is comfortable with or suitable for spinal manipulation. To ensure your safety and well-being, we conduct thorough screenings and use alternative techniques and skills tailored to your unique needs. Your journey back to health is our priority.

Frequently Asked Questions

osteopathy for all ages

What ages do you treat?

We treat all ages, from new born to the very elderly. Just as every person is different, the treatment options will vary a great deal with different age groups.

Read more +
acupuncture at balham osteopathy

How does acupuncture work?

Our osteopaths are trained in medical acupuncture, also called dry needling. This is similar to, but not the same as, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.

Read more +

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]]> Probiotics-The benefits for Athletes! https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/probiotics-the-benefits-for-athletes/ Thu, 16 Nov 2023 09:58:29 +0000 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/?p=1419 One of the more common questions we get asked is about joint manipulation - the clicking technique we do to release joints.

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Although much of your athletic performance originates in your muscles, other bodily systems also contribute. Interestingly, your gut may contribute more to your overall performance than you think.

Your gut microbiome plays a role in your immune health, inflammatory response, development of specific diseases and your mental and emotional health. The health of your gut may also play a role in the development of anxiety and depression.

Antibiotics, herbicides, vaccines, pesticides, and the tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals you may come into contact with all affect the health of your microbiome.

The link between your gut and brain is well-recognised, but often overlooked in the diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. Recent research has shown a link between inflammation in your muscles after significant exertion and specific probiotics.

Although your intestinal health begins at birth and continues to grow and mature as you age, it is never too late to support your gut microbiome.

Adding probiotics to your daily routine is an easy way to improve gut health and a step I highly encourage, whether you’re a performance athlete or want better health.

Research demonstrates athletes will experience a drop in performance after exercise-induced muscle damage.2 This may occur after any type of exercise that stresses the muscle, such as weight lifting, plyometric jumps or a hard run.

A recent study shows that using a probiotic may reduce muscle inflammation and improve performance in your next session.3 Scientists from the U.S., New Zealand and Italy collaborated in this study, which involved 15 healthy men who were given a 21-day supply of probiotics or a placebo.

After 21 days, the men performed a muscle strength test known to damage muscle. Results showed that an inflammatory marker in the blood decreased in those who took the probiotics, but it was not statistically different from the placebo.4

The athletes who took probiotics also experienced better peak torque production within the first 72 hours post-exercise, indicating to the researchers that probiotics improved performance. Another recent study using recreationally trained males found that probiotics and protein supplementation produced similar results.5

The participants used either a protein supplement, or a protein supplement along with probiotics. After two weeks, measurements were taken of athletic performance and muscle damage following an exercise known to cause muscle damage.

Athletes who took the supplement with probiotics had reduced muscle damage, better physical performance, and better exercise recovery.6 In another study, which used kefir to deliver probiotics to the athlete’s system, researchers discovered a reduction in the measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP).7

They theorised that while the group taking kefir experienced an improvement in their endurance, the more significant result was the reduction in CRP, potentially improving the risk profile for cardiovascular disease.

Improved Digestion and Increased Absorption Advances Performance

Probiotics also increase your absorption of nutrients, which will improve your athletic performance as your muscle cells have a better nutrient foundation.8

The nutrients improve your recovery time, and increase the consistency of your performance over time. Improving your nutrient absorption may also reduce your risk of illness and disease.

In order for the food you eat to be broken down and used by your body, your stomach and intestines must do the work of digestion. As you age, your digestion may become less efficient. This may create an environment in which a variety of digestive disorders are more prevalent.

Athletes with a strenuous schedule may experience a common number of issues, including gas, bloating, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.9

The prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders ranges between 30 and 70 percent among endurance athletes, depending upon the study and participants.10 Probiotic supplementation improves healthy bacteria population within your intestinal tract and also improves digestion.

Large independent studies are limited, but two large reviews suggest that using probiotics may reduce diarrhea associated with antibiotic use when compared with a placebo,11 demonstrating that probiotic supplements can repopulate your gut microbiome and promote better digestion and absorption of nutrients.

A systematic review of the literature found little evidence that probiotics have a direct link to improved athletic performance.12 However, the results do demonstrate secondary health benefits that have an effect on athletic performance, including muscle fatigue recovery, immune system support and a healthy gastrointestinal tract.

Probiotics also have a unique and significant effect on your emotional and mental outlook.13 When athletes experience an improvement in mood,14 they may also enjoy a boost in performance.15

Physical Exertion May Have a Short-Term Negative Effect on Your Digestive and Immune System

While mild to moderate athletic endeavors have a positive long-term effect on your overall health, there is evidence that endurance events or short bursts of intense training may increase immunosuppression in the short term. Respiratory infections and minor illnesses are commonly observed after competition, which can reduce performance.16

This may be the result of physiological stress that taxes your immune system. Inadequate nutrition affects almost all aspects of your immune system, so including a single nutrient may not be an effective means of addressing this challenge.17 Although elite athletes are not immune-deficient, the combined effects of small changes to the immune system may compromise resistance.

This open window of altered immunity may last between three and 72 hours, depending upon the exertion of the athlete, previous athletic ability and overall health. Many studies have evaluated the impact of sleep, nutrition, stress and training sessions on the reduction in immune status after prolonged exertion.

Probiotics, and a strong gastrointestinal microbiome, are now known to play a key role in controlling and adapting your body to physical activity. Studies have demonstrated supplementation with probiotics reduces the frequency and severity of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders in highly active athletes.18,19

The theorized mechanism of action includes a direct interaction between your gut microbiome and your immune system signals to your liver, brain and respiratory tract. While more studies are needed, researchers recommend athletes use plant polyphenols and probiotics to help colonize and support their gut microbiome.20

Better Immunity May Improve Performance

As probiotics help to modulate your gut microbiota, they also offer a practical way of diversifying bacterial species and enhancing your gut and immune function.21 These friendly bacteria help protect your body from infection, and are important for maintaining homeostasis.

Probiotics also have a capacity for modulating your immune function after exercise. This highlights a potential for use, as probiotics from food and many supplements are well tolerated. Without the obstacles of upper respiratory illness or gastrointestinal illness, athletes are able to continue training, thus improving their performance.

In a study evaluating the effectiveness of probiotic yogurt on endurance swimmers, those who consumed 400 milliliters (just under 1 3/4 cups) of probiotic yogurt exhibited a reduction in the number and duration of upper respiratory illnesses, compared to those who received yogurt devoid of probiotics.22 Without the hindrance of an infection, the swimmers also demonstrated an improvement in max VO2 (peak oxygen uptake).

Another study using highly trained rugby players found supplementation with probiotics resulted in a significant reduction in respiratory tract illnesses and gastrointestinal issues.23 Although the probiotics had an effect on the number of illnesses the players experienced, it did not affect the severity of the infections.

Using a popular Brazilian raw cheese high in Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum, researchers fed rats for two weeks and then exercised them to exhaustion on a treadmill.24 Two hours later material was collected to measure immune system responses in the animals. In the experimental and control animals there were changes to lymphocyte counts, but the changes were halved in the rats fed the cheese.

Monocyte counts did not change in the rats fed the cheese, but the control group experienced a significant decline. However, the most important result was that the animals fed the probiotic cheese experienced an increase in HDL cholesterol and a 50 percent decrease in triacyglycerols. They concluded that the probiotic cheese would be a healthy alternative to improve the immune function in elite athletes.25

Probiotics Improve Heat Tolerance

Yet another benefit to increasing probiotics in your diet as an athlete is your ability to train in the heat. Researchers focused one investigation on the effect of a multi-strain probiotic supplement using 10 male runners over a four-week period.26

The runners exercised to fatigue at 80 percent of their respiratory capacity in a very controlled environment, at 35 degrees C (86 degrees F) and 40 percent humidity. In order to evaluate the participants’ gastrointestinal permeability, the runners ingested lactulose and rhamnose before the exercise and urine was collected before, immediately at the conclusion of the exercise and one hour later.

Researchers found that probiotic supplementation increased the amount of time it took the runners to reach fatigue. Serum lipopolysaccharides increased post exercise in the control group, but the experimental group experienced a moderate to large reduction in pre and post exercise concentrations. The researchers felt that:27

“Four weeks of supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic increased running time to fatigue in the heat. Further studies are required to elucidate the exact mechanisms for this performance benefit.”

How to Optimize Your Gut Health

An estimated 80 percent of your immune system is located in your gut, which means that reseeding your gut with healthy bacteria may be one of the more important strategies you can use to prevent most diseases. It may even improve your athletic performance.

Radically reducing your sugar intake is an important step. You can take the best fermented foods and/or probiotic supplements, but if you fail to reduce your sugar intake you will sabotage your efforts to rebuild your gut flora. This would be similar to driving your car with one foot on the accelerator and one on the brake simultaneously. It’s simply not an effective strategy.

When you consume sugar at the level of the typical American, you are virtually guaranteed to have a preponderance of pathogenic bacteria, yeast and fungi, no matter what supplements you are taking.

Traditionally fermented, unpasteurized foods will provide you with a diverse array of beneficial bacteria. Some of the beneficial bacteria found in fermented foods are also excellent chelators of heavy metals and pesticides, which will also have a beneficial health effect by reducing your toxic load. Healthy choices include:


    • Fermented vegetables


    • Lassi (an Indian yogurt drink, traditionally enjoyed before dinner)


    • Fermented milk, such as kefir


    • Natto (fermented soy)


Fermented Veggies Are Easy to Make at Home

Fermented vegetables are an excellent way to reseed your gut with healthy bacteria. As an added bonus, they may also be a great source of vitamin K2 if you ferment your own using the proper starter culture.

We tested samples of high-quality fermented organic vegetables made with our specific starter culture, and a typical serving (about 2 to 3 ounces) contained not only 10 trillion beneficial bacteria, but also 500 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K2, which we now know is a vital co-nutrient to both vitamin D and calcium.

Most high-quality probiotics supplements will supply you with only a fraction of the beneficial bacteria found in such homemade fermented veggies, so it’s your most economical route to optimal gut health as well.

 

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]]> What ages do you treat? https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/what-ages-do-you-treat/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 17:07:00 +0000 https://staging.balham-osteopathic.co.uk/?p=725 We treat all ages, from new born to the very elderly. Just as every person is different, the treatment options will vary a great deal with different age groups.

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Balham Osteopathic Practice treats all ages

We provide care for individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Given the uniqueness of each person, treatment options may well vary significantly across different age groups.

For infants, gentle techniques like cranial approaches or soothing massage are typically employed; for a healthy athlete in their 20s or 30, stronger direct techniques might be used, or functional exercises to improve movement or posture. When it comes to the elderly, we tailor treatments by avoiding stronger techniques when unsuitable.

Our approach is individualized, ensuring the best-suited treatment for each person.

Frequently asked questions

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]]> Antenatal and Postnatal Care in a Paternalistic Healthcare Environment https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/antenatal-and-postnatal-care-in-a-paternalistic-healthcare-environment/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:22:00 +0000 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/?p=1323 One of the more common questions we get asked is about joint manipulation - the clicking technique we do to release joints.

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]]> by Bernadette Connolly – Streatham Osteopaths

Even now in 2017 there is still a significant struggle for the idea of gender equality in the UK. Our country being one of the worst for the gender pay gap (The Guardian, May 2016), our government having less female MP’s than Rwanda (The Telegraph, October 2016) and the continued employment issues caused by maternity discrimination (The Telegraph, March 2016). Employment isn’t the only issue that surrounds childbearing as I have learned through discussion with various female patients. The processes of pregnancy and labour appear to have been dismissed in the struggle for equality, making the man-flu seem like a far worse fate than pushing a 7lb entity through a brutally stretched (and often torn) flesh tube. The equality drive then expects women to recover from this ‘ordinary’ task without complaint.

My personal opinion (and professional one) perceives labour as a traumatic experience – both mentally and physically, but on searching for trauma in labour I am met purely with complications during labour.
By listening to patients I have learned that in both complicated and straight forward labours, the UK is very slow to offer rehabilitation, in some cases forgetting to and putting their future pregnancies at risk.

The reason I have chosen this topic is simple: post partum depression (PPD).

Contrary to what is commonly believed PPD isn’t just ‘baby blues’ or a simple state of mind following labour. With consideration of current maternity services I aim to discuss areas which are often overlooked and may contribute to this condition.

Magnificence in motherhood

Having studied obstetrics, the process of labour is fascinating; increasingly frequent uterine contractions, the cervical dilation to 10 cm, the drastic changes in hormones, the loosened ligaments to allow movement of the pelvic girdle bones, and the manner in which the body instructs the mother to focus and push down through the pain.

The female body is often portrayed aesthetically with the understanding of female physiological processes neglected. For example this article discusses how the natural process of menstruation is seen as ‘icky’ or dirty rather than understanding the reason for it occurring.

Labour isn’t that different. Conception is often thrust (pardon the pun) in to daily advertisements and media yet the delivery of a child is not shown in such a favourable light. Further to this, processes and reasoning for the antenatal instructions are often left out. Various midwives met during the preparation, making it harder for women to build relationships for intrapartum care (Nolan et al, 2010). This can make communication about concerns less comfortable for the mother. Respectably, the spontaneous onset of labour cannot rely on one midwife to be available but the preparation could be more consistent. Cheyne et al (2007) found that first time mothers didn’t know what to expect in early labour. This uncertainty caused higher levels of anxiety during this phase as they were unsure when to go to hospital. According to Levett et al (2015):

Some women were very afraid of labour and wanted some techniques to reduce their fear. They were fearful of: pain, the unknown, complications, loss of control, tearing, forceps, episiotomy, etc. They wanted an alternative to medical management and felt that neither antenatal classes nor the system offered this.

Kulkarni et al (2014) noted that pregnancy related anxiety could increase the mother’s susceptibility to pain, potentially making the process itself more traumatic than if the mother was given options for pain control and birthing methods.

As a mother I am aware of how little choice is given in the UK, as well as the National Health service (NHS) antenatal classes focusing on Lamaze breathing techniques, available drug options (no mention of hypnosis, home birth or birthing pools) and postnatal child care. This limits the knowledge of other methods of pain management during labour, limiting choice and increasing the potential for a traumatic experience.

A study in Sydney Australia found that by offering complementary medicine techniques for labour, women and their partners were given a sense of control and empowerment also allowing the partners to feel involved in the preparation (Levett et al, 2015).

Post Partum Depression

Postnatal/post partum depression (PPD) is being studied in more detail in recent years though is still rarely reported by women (and men) who are affected by it. The NHS site has varying figures on PPD, stating 10 – 30% of new mothers experience the condition.

While we have looked at factors in the preparation stages which can increase both the stress and pain levels throughout the pregnancy, the trauma of labour and post natal complaints can also be affecting factors towards this condition.

Some studies suggest possible links between physical postnatal health problems and PPD. Woolhouse et al (2014) states:

Exhaustion, severe headaches and pelvic pain were associated with greater than three-fold increase in odds of concurrent depressive symptoms at three months post partum, and greater than two-fold increases in odds of subsequent depressive symptoms at 6–12 months post partum. Other physical health problems associated with significantly raised odds of depressive symptoms at three months post partum were upper or lower back pain, breast problems, frequent coughs and colds, caesarean section wound pain and constipation. Other physical health problems associated with significantly raised odds of depressive symptoms at 6–12 months post partum were upper or lower back pain, constipation, haemorrhoids, and frequent coughs and colds.

On inspection the only postnatal rehabilitation centres I can see are available in private clinics, indicating this doesn’t exist specifically on the NHS (feel free to correct this!). However a six week post natal check up is advised and 17 Mother and Baby Units are available for mothers experiencing severe mental health issues across the UK (with beds ranging from 4 to 12 per unit). According to the NHS post natal check up page, some General Practitioners (GPs) don’t even offer the 6 week postnatal check up.
This could mean that women experiencing the beautiful yet overwhelming changes from producing a child, will have a better chance of finding support to recover (physically and mentally if not showing/reporting severe mental health issues) in private clinics more so than via NHS services.

Approximately 42% of new mothers with PPD report it. The remaining 58% don’t due to a lack of understanding of the condition and fear of the consequences.

I have previously been informed that NHS GPs are prohibited from recommending private therapies or services, I have no direct reference for this as of yet but Chapter 7, paragraph 9.2 of General Practice Law states:

There is no limit on the type of enhanced services that a commissioner and a GP practice can agree to be provided to NHS patients, provided that the service can properly be considered to be part of the health service. The terms fall to be agreed between the commissioner and the provider.

Further to this in chapter 9, paragraph 8.1 section b) ii):

The automatic termination of a General medical services (GMS) General Practitioner (GP) contract does not apply if a sole GP is suspended by the General Medical Council (GMC). However during the period of suspension the GP is obviously unable to deliver services to NHS patients. The GMS contract gives NHS England an option to terminate the contract in 2 circumstances, namely the Board is satisfied that the circumstances of the suspension are such that if the Contract is not terminated forthwith the Board is at risk of material financial loss.

While neither of these specify prohibition of referral to non-NHS practices it does suggest there are indeed limitations on which services GPs are allowed to recommend.

There is a call for more mother and baby units across the UK, in response a statement has been made to confirm the addition of four more. This is an improvement but is only covering the more severe psychological aspects.

Conclusion

Although we have come a long way with maternity care in the UK, the NHS is showing holes which if filled could benefit both practitioners and parents alike. Pregnancy is a massive overhaul on the body as well as the added trauma of childbirth. More consideration and support should be given to preparation and rehabilitation of new mothers, regardless of the circumstances as the process cannot continue to be viewed as an ‘ordinary’ event where women are too afraid to discuss mental or physical concerns.

Respectably, it is common knowledge that our GPs are already under a huge amount of pressure given the demand for primary care services and failed promise of Jeremy Hunt to bring in more GPs, but if the NHS board allowed more integration with private services or expanded the current services (obviously not destroying the already fragile budget) this could in theory lessen the load while improving the choices for patients.

Educating expecting families on options for parturition as well as post natal rehabilitation (both mentally and physically) could really benefit those who do experience PPD, with the potential of lessening its prevalence overall.

References:

  • Cheyne, Helen et al. “‘Should I Come In Now?’: A Study Of Women’s Early Labour Experiences”. British Journal of Midwifery15.10 (2007): 604-609. Web.
  • Kulkarni, Sandeep, and Sean Tjunan Sia. “Hazards Of Labour Pain And The Role Of Non-Neuraxial Labour Analgesia”. Trends in Anaesthesia and Critical Care 4.4 (2014): 109-114. Web.
  • Levett, Kate et al. “The Complete Birth Study: Complementary Therapies For Labour And Birth: Can We Reduce Epidural Rates In First Time Mothers?”. Women and Birth 28 (2015): S27. Web.
  • Nolan, Mary, and Julie Smith. “Women’s Experiences Of Following Advice To Stay At Home In Early Labour”. British Journal of Midwifery 18.5 (2010): 286-291. Web.
  • Woolhouse, Hannah et al. “Physical Health After Childbirth And Maternal Depression In The First 12 Months Post Partum: Results Of An Australian Nulliparous Pregnancy Cohort Study”. Midwifery 30.3 (2014): 378-384. Web.

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]]> Furzedown Festival https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/furzedown-fesitival/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 12:47:00 +0000 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/?p=1107 Furzedown Festival This year was another great success. The weather held out, and there was a great turnout. Thanks to all the Streatham Osteopaths team, especially Robin, who was giving “pain relief Acupuncture” at The Festival.

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]]> Furzedown Festival

This year was another great success. The weather held out, and there was a great turnout. Thanks to all the Streatham Osteopaths team, especially Robin, who was giving “pain relief Acupuncture” at The Festival.

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]]> Streatham Osteopaths – 15 minutes of fame! https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/01-2/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:41:46 +0000 https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/?p=1103 For six days last week Alistair Train – Director, booked the Practice to make an Independent short film -15 minutes. It was an enlightening experience! Twelve hours a day with 15 people in your house. We are looking forward to receiving a copy of the film.

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]]> For six days last week Alistair Train – Director, booked the Practice to make an Independent short film -15 minutes. It was an enlightening experience! Twelve hours a day with 15 people in your house.
We are looking forward to receiving a copy of the film.

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]]> How does acupuncture work? https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/does-acupuncture-work/ Thu, 15 Dec 2022 17:04:01 +0000 https://staging.balham-osteopathic.co.uk/?p=721 Our osteopaths are trained in medical acupuncture, also called dry needling. This is similar to, but not the same as, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.

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acupuncturists

Our osteopaths are trained in medical acupuncture, also called dry needling. This is similar to, but not the same as, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.

In dry needling, fine surgical steel needles are inserted in order to relieve tension in the myofascial system, the muscular and connective tissues that make up the body. By releasing trigger points in one area, it helps relieve tension in related areas.

Dry needling also stimulates local blood flow and helps relieve pain. The needles are usually left in for a few seconds to a few minutes and are not normally painful.

In TCM, the philosophy is that the body contains lines (or meridians) of flowing energy, known as chi. Chi is thought to be a kind of life force and it is believed that blockages in these energy lines can affect the health. By removing these blockages using the strategic positioning of acupuncture needles, these blockages can be removed and health then follows.

Where medical acupuncture is usually used to relieve pain and muscle tension, Chinese acupuncture is used for a variety of other health concerns. We do have a network of other therapists, including a TCM practitioner, so if you would like to see one, just ask.

Frequently asked questions

osteopathy for all ages

What ages do you treat?

We treat all ages, from new born to the very elderly. Just as every person is different, the treatment options will vary a great deal with different age groups.

Read more +
acupuncture at balham osteopathy

How does acupuncture work?

Our osteopaths are trained in medical acupuncture, also called dry needling. This is similar to, but not the same as, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.

Read more +

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]]> What is the difference between osteopathy and chiropractic? https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/what-is-the-difference-between-osteopathy-and-chiropractic/ Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:56:37 +0000 https://staging.balham-osteopathic.co.uk/?p=716 Chiropractors and osteopaths have a degree of overlap, especially in terms of spinal manipulation techniques (the ‘clicking’).

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Osteopaths and chiropractors

Chiropractors and osteopaths have a degree of overlap, especially in terms of spinal manipulation techniques (the ‘clicking’). However, they are very different; chiropractors see dysfunction in terms of spinal misalignment, whereas an osteopath may see spinal adjustment helping, but this is not always the case.

In an example of knee pain, a chiropractor would say that the knee pain is caused by nerves becoming impinged where they exit the spine, so causing knee pain. If that is the case, spinal adjustment is the solution. An osteopath may think knee pain is caused by such nerve root impingement, but this is not always the case – perhaps there is damage to the knee, or perhaps the ankle needs releasing to help the knee work better.

There’s a joke amongst osteopaths that whatever question we are asked, an osteopath begins by answering ‘it depends’ because for us, we focus very much on individual care, working out what is causing your problem and tailoring treatment individual to you.

Frequently asked questions

osteopathy for all ages

What ages do you treat?

We treat all ages, from new born to the very elderly. Just as every person is different, the treatment options will vary a great deal with different age groups.

Read more +
acupuncture at balham osteopathy

How does acupuncture work?

Our osteopaths are trained in medical acupuncture, also called dry needling. This is similar to, but not the same as, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) acupuncture.

Read more +

The post What is the difference between osteopathy and chiropractic? appeared first on Streatham Osteopaths.

]]> What is the difference between osteopathy and physiotherapy? https://streathamosteopaths.co.uk/osteopathy-and-physiotherapy/ Thu, 15 Dec 2022 16:54:08 +0000 https://staging.balham-osteopathic.co.uk/?p=712 Physiotherapists tend to focus just on the musculoskeletal system, whereas an osteopath is more holistic, taking into consideration lifestyle factors such as work/life balance, diet, exercise and mental health.

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Balham Osteopath hands

Physiotherapists tend to focus just on the musculoskeletal system, whereas an osteopath is more holistic, taking into consideration lifestyle factors such as work/life balance, diet, exercise and mental health.

Physiotherapists tend to use more exercise-based therapy and be less hands on than an osteopath, whose work is more direct, using combinations of massage, joint articulation and manipulation as well as medical acupuncture.

Finally, physios tend to focus just on the affected body part (say a knee) whereas an osteo will look at the rest of the body, say the ankle or hip as well, and look at how they may affect the knee mechanics.

Frequently asked questions

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Stretching

As an osteopath, one of the most common things I get asked about when the subject of exercise comes up… Read More

Furzedown Festival

Furzedown Festival

Furzedown Festival This year was another great success. The weather held out, and there was a great turnout. Thanks to all… Read More

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