Case 1: Recurrent Ear Infections - Zoë is a seven year old girl  who suffered from recurrent ear infections. Because of the severity and frequency of the infections, she had 3 sets of Gromits inserted under general anaesthetic conditions. She also had over 6 courses of antibiotics. Zoë told us that her life was disrupted because she couldn’t go swimming with her friends, and that her ears caused her considerable pain.

When Zoë came to the clinic she was due to visit the ear specialist in a few weeks time for the insertion of a fourth set of Gromits. Osteopathic treatment began immediately. Over  three sessions this improved the drainage around the ears and and from the head into the chest cavity. As the underlying congestion decreased so too did the ear infections.

Zoë returned to her consultant who pronounced the ears clear of infection and inflammation. He did not feel it necessary to proceed with the fourth Gromit operation. Zoë and her mum were delighted and she has now happily returned to swimming in the pool with her friends.

Case 2: The Twisted Neck - Jack was a two month old baby who was brought to the clinic by his mum because he was suffering from a severe spasm and twisting of the neck (torticollis) This came about after Jack’s difficult and pronged labour in which his shoulder had become stuck. In order to deliver him safely it had been necessary to use suction (vonteuse), and the delivery had ultimately required a good deal of force. Jack’s neck and head had been injured in the process. After the birth Jack’s mum had received exercises from the physiotherapist to stretch the neck back into place. The baby hated these stretches and obviously found them extremely uncomfortable. 2 months on and the neck spasm was worsening and Jack’s head was looking increasingly asymmetrical.

Osteopathic treatment focused on gently releasing the strains around Jack’s head (from the suction) and neck membranes. After 3 sessions his neck has almost completely released, and his head is a much more regular and smooth shape. Jack’s mum was delighted because the treatment was gentle and non-invasive, Jack was much more comfortable, and was now looking around freely.   

Case 3: Recurrent Kidney Infections - Marie came to the clinic  suffering from recurrent kidney infections which regularly needed to be treated with antibiotics. She was unhappy with repeatedly taking antibiotics and felt that she had become susceptible to infection.

Osteopathic examination revealed that the nerve and blood supply to Marie’s kidney were compromised because she had fallen on ice 5 years previously. This led to a twist through the pelvis which had caused the muscles  and soft tissues surrounding the left kidney to become tightened.  That muscle tightening had also caused a low grade compression to the nerves that supply the kidney. It gradually became weakened and susceptible to infection.

Osteopathic techniques were applied to correct the twist through the pelvis and the tension was gently eased through the soft tissues around the kidney. Since the conditions that had fostered kidney infections were removed Marie gradually returned to health and no longer suffers from repeated infections.

Case 4: A Bad Headache - Helen reported to the clinic complaining of a severe headache over her left eye and the left side of the
head. The symptoms had developed 10 days previously and had been so painful that she had reported to accident and emergency. Doctors had performed the appropriate blood tests and scans to eliminate the possibility of serious pathology. Nothing abnormal was detected. Helen received a prescription for a strong pain killer and anti-inflammatory but it did not relieve the symptoms. She then received an anti-inflammatory and pain relieving injection to the base of his skull without relief.

Osteopathic examination revealed that Helen had a complete restriction of movement through his first cervical (or neck) vertebra. This was causing a severe nerve irritation and the subsequent headache. The tissues around this area were extremely irritated and painful so the Osteopath spent a considerable amount of time gently guiding and easing the muscles out of a state of tension, and restoring movement to the immobile joint. The headache resolved the following day. Helen returned to the clinic over the following weeks and was advised on a course of action to prevent reoccurrence of his problem and to completely resolve the tensions through her neck and spine.

Case 5:  Long-standing Low Back Pain - John, a 35 year old office worker, complained of a dull ache in his left lower mid-back; the pain started 2 years ago for no apparent reason and seemed to be worse in stressful situations and after prolonged sitting.

Osteopathic examination revealed that John’s low back was being strained because of the high degree of tension around his diaphragm (which is the main muscle of breathing). This powerful muscle attaches to our third lumbar ( or low back) vertebra. When he was stressed John was breathing in a shallow fashion and over a period of time this had caused the muscle to
become tightened and shortened. This in turn was pulling and straining his low back.

John’s treatment focused on gently releasing the tension in his diaphragm and the surrounding organs. After 3 treatments he was free of his low back pain.John was advised on some relaxation advice, and now occasionally returns to the practice to stop a build up of tension through his back.

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Case 6: Sudden Onset Low Back Pain - Jason, a 22 year old student came to the practice complaining of severe recent onset  low back pain. The pain had come about 2 days earlier, during a rugby match, when he had been tackled.

Because of the traumatic onset, the Osteopath performed specific tests to eliminate the possibility of a serious disc injury or fracture. If any danger signs had been noted Jason would have been referred for investigations such as X-ray or MRI scan. 

In this case, the pain was due to a compression of a joint of the low back (the junction between the low back and the tail bone). The first treatment was based on gentle soft tissue work to relax the area of the pain. Advice was also given on techniques to reduce the inflammation in the area.

The second treatment was given 3 days later. At this time much of the local inflammation had already resolved. Because the low back was stuck a gentle manipulation of the spine was performed to release the compression within the joint.

After 2 more treatments Jason’s low back pain had completely resolved. He was advised on a programme of stretching and moderate exercise and no more pain was reported.

Case 7: Sinusitis after facial trauma - Jeremy was 21 years old when he was attacked by a gang of males and badly beaten. During the attack his nose was broken and he suffered from a deviated septum. Over the years Jeremy gradually noticed that he was beginning to suffer from headaches and that he was getting between 4 and 6 episodes of sinusitis a year.

Osteopathic examination revealed that there was considerable compression present through the bones of the face, focusing particularly on the joint made between the nasal, frontal (forehead) and ethmoid bones.

Using skilled palpation and gentle decompression techniques it was possible to restore balance and release the bones of the face. After 3 sessions Jeremy’s wife reported that he was snoring much less frequently. After six sessions Jeremy said that friends had noticed that his nose appeared straighter,more importantly his headaches had reduced considerably.

Jeremy now returns to the clinic every two to three months. In the last year he has suffered from just one bout of sinusitis.

Case 8: Back Pain During Pregnancy - Anita presented to the clinic during her 32nd week of pregnancy. She had begun suffering from low back pain 1 month previously and it seemed to be worsening as the pregnancy progressed.

Osteopathic examination revealed that Anita’s sacro-uterine ligaments ( the ligaments that suspend the uterus to the low back) and her lumbo-sacral ( low back) ligaments were extremely tight on her right side. As the weight of the bump increased these ligaments were subject to greater forces which was exaggerating her problem.

Anita was treated in a comfortable position lying on her side. Because she was in an advanced stage of her pregnancy extremely gentle techniques were used to guide her ligaments out of tension. Anita actually fell asleep during the treatment.

After two sessions Anita reported that her low back pain had completely resolved. The fact that her pelvis was balanced also facilitated an easier passage for the baby through the birth canal when the time came. Anita was also treated after the delivery and has had no reoccurrence of her symptoms