Osteopaths at In Touch With Health - Crowborough are happy to help patients with any treatment listed above.

Chronic muscle stiffness

Chronic muscle stiffness is a painful condition which is difficult to treat. Doctors will routinely treat this condition, at least in the short-term, with anti-inflamatory drugs such as Diclofenac. However, these drugs have serious side-effects which can damage the liver with extended usage. As a result chronic sufferers may wish to consider alternative treatments. One simple palliative option is a relaxing, long hot bath. This will help the muscles relax. More beneficially, osteopaths will prescribe a detailed set of exercises for patients. These exercises use slow repetitive movements to lengthen the muscles. Exercises including stretching and toning, tai chi, yoga and swimming. Walking is also beneficial both to reduce muscle tension but also to help reduce stress and relax the mind. Many osteopaths have trained in what is known as the Bowen Technique which is said to be particularly well suited to this condition and also to Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia

Acute joint pain is often associated with fibromyalgia which is a disease of the central nervous system where normal, non-painful, neural messages are interpreted by the nerve receptors as pain. This leads to intense localised pain where there should be none. The symptoms of fibromyalgia include headaches, sleeping difficulties, poor concentration, stiff muscles and enervating tiredness. Some patients suffer occasional attacks allowing them to lead fairly normal lives. However, for chronic sufferers, this disease can gravely affect quality of life. There is no single cure, however much research is being done into various therapies to help ameliorate the disability associated with the condition. Osteopathic treatment is, of course, often used to treat the associated muscle pain and many practitioners combine this wiith acupressure or acupuncture to further relieve muscular pain.