The Good Health Guide

By Jessica Ovett BSc (Hons) Ost. Med., osteopath based at Muswell Healing Arts in N10 and The Hillside Practice in NW5.

Back pain sufferers are often advised to exercise and keep moving.  But how do you know what is the most suitable form of exercise for your particular problem?  Should you jog, swim or do Pilates?  Are certain stretches useful, relevant or likely to cause more pain?

Osteopathy is a method of treatment which assesses the body’s muscle and skeletal system as a whole.  The spine, muscles and joints are looked at from a postural, mechanical and structural standpoint.  That is to say, how your body functions as a whole and how it responds to movement.

Usually, by the time people go to see an Osteopath they are already in pain, which is the body’s natural alarm bell to say that all is not well.

The aches and pain experienced are often a sign that muscles are pulling the body out of proper or comfortable alignment.  Certain areas become tight and stiff while others may have weakened.  This will put strain on the spine and joints.  Over time, it can lead to inflammation and even wear and tear, which then maintains the aches.

An assessment can be very beneficial if you have been suffering from back or joint pain for a while, have recently had a baby or are about to take up or change an exercise regime.

As a consequence of the assessment, your Osteopath will not only be able to treat the current discomfort/pain through gentle manipulative treatment, but also be in a position to note how your body will respond to exercise.  That is, which areas may need stretching or strengthening, and which form of exercise may be the most suitable to cause your body least strain and most gain.

Everyone has a different body, different routine and slightly different cause of back pain.

Healthy fitness is about optimising your body’s ability and potential without causing excessive stress or strain.  Everyone will have different needs and a different level of ability.

An Osteopathic assessment will be able to point you in the right direction.

For further information, please contact Jessica Ovett at jessicaovett@gmail.com

Appointments: Muswell Healing Arts, 169 Avenue Mews
                      N10 3NN
                      020 8365 3545
                      www.muswellhealingarts.com

                      The Hillside Practice, Highgate Road
                      NW5 1QT
                      020 7482 3293
                      www.robertzagar.co.uk