Osteopathy
What do osteopaths do?
Osteopaths release tension in the body. We are highly skilled at seeing and feeling what is not working properly so we can get straight to the heart of the matter and get you moving as quickly as possible.
We realise that the body works as a whole and so can relate any dysfunctional part (the problem) to the rest of you (the context). This actually allows things to resolve more quickly and means they are less likely to return.
Is that all?
Once key areas are released, proper exercise is prescribed. Correct stretching exercises help to speed up the process of releasing tension and keep your body supple. This is done in a functional and pragmatic way to ensure that you are actually able to keep up with the exercises (mostly they are just simple movements).
What about core stability?
Functional training of the back and trunk can be a useful part of the rehabilitation strategy for lower back pain. I use a series of functional core stability exercises to help with recurrent back pain.
And Posture?
Learning to sit, stand, and walk properly is often the key to preventing simple problems from becoming an ongoing feature of life. With a deep understanding of postural function I can guide you to a more upright and relaxed way of moving.
What’s work got to do with it?
We are affected by what we do. If we spend much of the day sitting, using computers, that is likely to be a big factor in the development and maintenance of any postural problems we might have.
Having not worked in an office myself I was inspired to learn more about ergonomics so I could help my patients develop good habits at work. This led me to conduct on site workstation assessments (hundreds to date) so I could directly affect the well being of my patients at work.
What about stress?
Many of us internalise our stress, actively holding patterns of tension in our soft tissues.
Whether it be our necks, shoulders, jaws, lower backs or even guts, we can subconsciously hold tension for years on end. Eventually the soft tissues can get very painful, tiring easily. At this stage we may be so used to this that we think it is normal, resigning ourselves to a lifetime of stiffness, relieved by the occasional (or even frequent) massage. Whilst massage is a wonderful thing (I use it as part of my treatment) at this stage all it will do is temporarily relieve the soreness.
What we really need is to understand how we are holding ourselves, becoming aware of our bodies and learning ways to prevent the tension from building up in the first place. This is where I come in. I can teach you a series of simple exercises to help you recognise what you are doing and how to stop doing it.
Registration and Training
Osteopathy was the first complimentary therapy to gain statutory regulation with the passing of the 1993 Osteopaths Act. This means that all Osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), must adhere to a code of ethics laid out by the GOsC and undergo continual professional development.
All osteopaths undergo a rigorous training. This includes the in-depth study of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, orthopaedics, and clinical medicine.
Alexander Irving
BSc (Hons) Ost Med. DO. ND
I graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine with an honours degree in osteopathic medicine in 2003.
Since then I have undertaken postgraduate training in cranial osteopathy with the Sutherland Cranial College and training in neuromuscular rehabilitation (especially useful for post-injury rehab).
In addition I am trained in the use of acupuncture to treat musculo-skeletal pain and dysfunction.
As a faculty member of the Surrey Institute of Osteopathic Medicine, from 2004 to 2009, I taught osteopathic technique and supervised students in the college clinic.
In 2009/2010 I am taking a break from teaching to study for a master’s degree in pain science at king’s college london. I will be available to see patients three days a week (see clinic opening times).
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