Clinic Services
The services available at the Old Hall Clinic are outlined below. Please use the numbered links at the bottom of each pages to view further services, or use the 'Sub Navigation' links on the left of this page.
Osteopathy
A Registered Osteopath is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of altered body mechanics.
In addition to treating spinal complaints (e.g. spondylosis, spondylitis and 'slipped discs'), osteopathy can also influence the internal functioning of the body to help with some complaints. Treatment of infants and children is becoming increasingly popular to monitor their normal development. Osteopaths not only treat with gentle manipulation, they regularly use soft tissue massage, joint articulation and gentle release techniques. A statutory registered osteopath is recognised by D.O. Osteopath.
'The history of osteopathic treatment philosophy'
Osteopathy was founded in the mid 19th Century by Dr Andrew Taylor-Still. He believed that the body's self healing mechanism was often compromised in people with health issues. This, he believed was often due to unreleased tensions or blockages in flexibility in different parts of the body. It was not uncommon for patients to be experiencing help from osteopathic treatment for a variety of medical conditions eg. in children - sleep problems, colic, glue ear. asthma, mood swings, concentration etc. In adults - digestive ordres, recurrent infections, menstrul pain, infertility,sinus pain.
However more recently because of the advance in medical science osteopathy is often used by patients in the help of muskulo-skeletal problems such as backache, sciatica, joint pain and stiffness, neck pain, tennis elbow, headaches to name but a few.
In the case of muskulo-skeletal and myo-fascial system and particulary in relation to professional sports people much work is being performed at The Old Hall Clinic in the help of prediction and prevention of sporting injuries. Professional footballers, rugby players and those in the field of equestrian sports will often be seen in the Old Hall Clinic attending for preventative injuries in an attempt to reduce the risk of potential injury. It is beleived that if the body is able to work in balance without having to compensate for mechanical blockages however subtle the body is less likely to be injured during performance.
Sports Osteopathy
It is becoming increasing clear that if a sportsman's body is in balance it will not only perform better but also is less likeley to become injured.
Many players from Manchester United Football Club and Sale Sharks Rugby Team attend The Old Hall Clinic on a regular basis to have treatment on conjunction with their teams physiotherapist, to minimize soft tissue injury.
Cranial Osteopathy
A cranial osteopath is a registered osteopath who has further specialised in cranial technique.
This involves the gentle application of minimal pressure to the plates of the bones of the skull and spine. This allows subtle tensions to be released in the deeper structures enabling the body to return to a state of physical balance and well being. Because the treatment is so gentle, it is also used for very young babies and children.
Even though the term 'cranial' refers to the head, a cranial osteopath does not just limit treatment to this area. As previously stated the palapting or (listening) hand is gently placed on or under different parts of the body in an attempt to feel restrictions of the movement and lack of comply ability within the tissues.
A cranial osteopath may often get a sense of fluid movement within their patients and a patient in good health and good state of single balance will have a different palpatory feel to the cranial osteopath compared to the patient who is not exhibiting 100% health or indeed in a degree of pain. The aim of the cranial osteopath is simply to allow or to help the body release areas of restriction commonly at a subtle level in order that the body is able to function unhindered and return to its normal state of health.
Results of cranial osteopathic treatment can often be quite dramatic even though the treatment is extremely gentle however, because the treatment is so subtle and gentle patients are advised to attend for treatment with an expereinced and renowed cranial osteopath as treatment from an inexperienced cranial osteopath whilst not being dangerous, may not be as effective.
Homeopathy
A Homeopath treats the whole person not the disease, to encourage the natural healing potential of the body.
Homeopathy uses very tiny doses of remedies, thus avoiding the dangers of toxins, or the side effects which can be a problem with 'traditional' drug treatment. A wide range of illness can be treated, from acute problems, e.g. 'Flu' and tonsillitis, to chronic illnesses such as irritable bowel and rheumatoid arthritis. A medically qualified homeopath is recognised by the letters MB.ChB, MFHom.
Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist is skilled in the application of physical agents to aid healing.
Some of the conditions physiotherapists treat are sports injuries, spinal and joint pain, and chest complaints.
The physiotherapist also gives advice and exercises following fractures, strokes and operations. A qualified Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist is recognised by the letters MCSP-SRP.
