Osteopathy Treatment in Croydon – Restore Movement, Relieve Pain Naturally
At The Shirley Practice in Croydon, our osteopaths use expert hands-on techniques to help relieve pain, restore mobility and support your body’s natural healing process. Whether you’re managing joint discomfort, recovering from injury, or looking to improve your everyday movement, osteopathy offers a gentle, drug free way to support your musculoskeletal health.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a natural, drug and surgery-free form of healthcare treatment wherein the goal is to treat various causes of aches and pain within the musculoskeletal system. Osteopathy’s main focus is on the overall structure of the body. It has quite a unique approach to assessment, including the assessment of the mechanics, function, and posture of the patient.
Manual Therapy Techniques:
Professionals use manual therapy techniques like stretching and massage to help reduce pain and promote the body’s natural healing process.
Skilful Hands:
Osteopaths use Palpation (trained sense of touch) to assess the tissues of the body and manipulate these tissues to bring about better movement, blood and nerve supply, and a reduction of pain and muscle tension.
Why Choose Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare focused on the structure and function of your body. It works on the principle that when your bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues are balanced and aligned, your body can function at its best. This manual therapy can help ease a wide range of conditions, including:
- Back and neck pain: Tension, stiffness or injuries linked to posture, work, or strain.
- Joint discomfort: Common issues affecting shoulders, hips, knees and ankles.
- Muscular aches: Overuse, strain, or long-term tension in soft tissues.
- Tension headaches: Often linked to neck or upper back tightness.
- Sports injuries or post surgery recovery: Supportive care that works alongside your rehabilitation plan.
Our Approach – Hands-On, Patient-Focused Care
At our Croydon clinic, each treatment is carefully tailored. We begin by understanding your health history, assessing how your body moves, and identifying areas of tension or imbalance. Techniques may include:
- Soft tissue work – to reduce muscle tension and improve circulation.
- Joint mobilisation – gentle movements to increase flexibility and comfort.
- Manipulation – where appropriate, to support joint function.
- Palpation – our osteopaths use trained touch to assess how your tissues respond and guide treatment decisions.
We always adapt techniques to your comfort level and explain what we’re doing – so you feel confident and informed every step of the way.
What to Expect At Your First Session?
At your first visit to the osteopath, a detailed case history will be taken from you.
1. Your Medical History
We’ll have a friendly chat about your present symptoms and medical history, including any illnesses, operations or accidents which have happened to you. This is important so that the osteopath can build a complete picture of your health and understand the kinds of stresses and strains that your body has gone through.
2. The Examination
The next step is the examination, for which it may be necessary to remove some of your outer clothing. It usually involves a simple series of movements of the affected body part to see the range and quality of your movement.
Other parts of the body may also be examined, since pain or problems in one part of the body can affect function elsewhere. An example could be when an issue with the foot causes mechanical changes in the knee or hip. Sometimes, it may also be necessary to look at the cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological systems, much of which can be done without complex equipment.
3. Palpation
The next part of the examination is palpation, where the osteopath uses his or her sense of touch to examine the tissues of the body. The osteopath will be assessing muscle tone and flexibility, soft-tissue pliability, and range and quality of joint motion.
Completion:
Once the examination is complete, the osteopath should reach an official diagnosis and develop a personalised treatment plan unique to your challenges.
How Much Does Osteopathy Treatment Cost?
Treatment techniques include soft-tissue work to improve blood circulation and flexibility, joint manipulation to improve mobility and to influence nerve function.
Osteopathic treatment should not be painful. The osteopath will ask for your feedback during treatment and alter the technique if necessary. At the end of the first treatment, the osteopath will explain the findings of the exam, what the diagnosis means and what to expect moving forward. You may also be given exercises to do at home and advice on returning to work and sport if necessary.
How Many Sessions Are Needed?
For a simple condition, only a small number of treatments would likely be required. For more complex, chronic problems, more treatment may be necessary. There are some conditions, such as arthritis, which are progressive and unfortunately cannot be reversed. Many patients find that their symptoms can largely be kept at bay by receiving occasional treatment every so often.
Are There Conditions That Can’t Be Treated With Osteopathy?
For a small number of patients, it may be that their condition is not suitable for manual treatment, and you will be referred to the right medical professional. In other cases, the osteopath may have to examine the issue further by carrying out tests such as X-rays or MRI scans before treatment can begin. Again, the osteopath will refer appropriately for this
How Much Does Osteopathy Treatment Cost?
New Patient:
- 60 Minutes
- Case History
- Examination
- Treatment
Follow-up Treatment:
- 30 Minutes
Book an Osteopathy Appointment in Croydon
Call us today on 0208 776 2332 or email theshirleypractice@live.com. Prefer to book online? Click here to use our simple booking form. Not sure if osteopathy is right for you? Ask about our free 15 minute consultation call.
Whether you’re based in Shirley, Croydon or across the local area, let’s help you move better, feel better, and get back to doing what you love.