Frequently Asked Questions

Side lying with knees slightly bent tends to be the best position to sleep in for most conditions; however, it is important to make sure that the neck is well supported by having a correct pillow height. The head should remain in a straight line to the rest of your spine. Side lying, however, may irritate existing shoulder problems, in which case lying on your back may be more appropriate. Hip and pelvic problems may be strained when side lying, and many patients find it helps to place a pillow between the thighs as this reduces torsion through the pelvis. Sleeping on your front is generally not good as it causes your head to be rotated, causing strain to the joints in your neck. If you also use a pillow, your neck will be rotated (bent backwards) which can aggrevate neck problems. Lying on your stomach may also lead to lower back sagging-so increasingly concave bend (the lordosis) which can also result in low backache.

Specific exercises recommended by your Osteopath should be carried out at least once a day but ideally morning and evening. If you have very acute pain, exercises should be carried out regularly through the day. Everyone should do some form of exercise at least three times per week. Swimming is appropriate as it tends to be gentle on your joints, reducing the effects of gravity, whilst strengthening heart and lung function. Walking also helps to maintain joint mobility and strengthen postural muscles. It is important to do some form of weight bearing exercise to maintain good bone density. At Aldington Osteopathy we are very keen to give exercises to improve your posture, strength and your back muscles and maintain suppleness of the body.

The joints at the bottom of your spine or your neck are most often affected. In between the bony vertebrae are discs, which are mainly made of fibrocartilage. There is an inner part called the nucleus pulposus (which is more jelly like in consistency) and an outer part called the annulus fibrosus, which is the strong fibrocartilage to protect the inner nucleus pulposus. The purpose of the disc is to space the vertebrae apart whilst attaching them together. If there is some weakness in the outer annulus fibrosus, some of the gelatinous nucleus pulposus can protrude. This causes a bulging on the outside of the disc, which can then press on nerves exiting the spinal cord at that level. There are different degrees of severity ranging from a small protrusion to a severe prolapse when the nucleus pulposus pushes all through the annulus fibrosus. Often the disc will heal naturally through shrinkage and breakdown of the extruded disc material. However, in severe cases surgery may be required to fuse the joints at the base of the spine. 

There are many causes of sciatica. The term sciatica describes irritation of the sciatic nerve, and this may occur any where along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates from the sacral plexus. The sciatic nerve may be trapped by a lumbar disc prolapse causing compression at the nerve root, or it may be compressed more peripherally by the piriformis, a muscle that lies deep in the buttock. It may occur after prolonged squatting, immobility, or fractures or dislocation of the hip joint. Osteopathic treatment involves identifying the cause and trying to release the pressure on the nerve by improving range of motion, relaxing soft tissues and taking the strain off the structures involved.

You may be asked to undress down to your underwear depending on the area of your symptoms. Patients are welcome to wear shorts if they feel more comfortable. 

The initial osteopathic consultation will last an hour and costs £55. Each follow up treatment costs £48 for a 30 minute session. On your first consultation a full medical history will be taken with examination and treatment.

Quite often your Doctor may refer you to come to see an Osteopath for treatment; however you can come of your own accord. If necessary we will write to your Doctor to inform him of your symptoms and our diagnosis, and we may refer you to your Doctor if we feel further tests are required.