Osteopaths at Sidcup Osteopath 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.

Learning Disorders

Learning disorders are similar to the issues surrounding delayed development in that they are often misdiagnosed as a child being less able than others. In fact the problems the child is having with learning may have a very simple physical explanation which can be treated successfully and with fairly rapid impromement. The cause of the syndrome may be congenital, but in many cases the cause may simply be a physical neurological issue which will benefit from cranial osteopathy. Gentle treatment to unblock a neural pathway may yield substantial benefit - although clearly not in all cases. The typical course of treatment would be 6 to 8 sessions.