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Gillian Parr B.Ost
Registered Osteopath |
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body, and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.
To an osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body's own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.
All osteopaths in the UK MUST be registered with the General Osteopathic Council, our state registering body. This came into effect on 9th May 2000. Osteopathic qualifications include DO which means Diploma in Osteopathy, B.Sc or B.Sc (Hons) which is the degree status. From May 2004 all osteopaths must undertake mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) which means all osteopaths will remain trained up to the latest standard of clinical and practical competence.
What do osteopaths treat?
A recent survey of Osteopathic practices underlines the wide range of patients treated.
- Half suffer low back trouble. Most back pains result from mechanical disturbances of the spine - postural strains, joint derangements and spinal disc injuries. Osteopathy, with its comprehensive approach to health care,is a common treatment modailty for patients with low back pain.
- Over half are women. Many women are working mothers and both aspects of their lives can give rise to problems, from the perennial headache to severe musculo-skeletal disorders. Many headaches originate from stiffness and tension in the neck. Pregnancy can put a strain on the low back and pregnant women often visit an osteopath.
- A quarter are in their forties. Many patients are losing fitness at this stage in their lives and are more prone to injury. Osteopaths consider all the factors, examining posture and the strength and flexibility of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
- Many are elderly. Painkillers are not the only solution for the aches and pains associated with ageing. For more permanent relief it is necessary to eliminate the underlying causes of pain and reducing stiffness in the less acute stages of arthritis.
- Many problems relate to work. Work, whether it be a computer terminal or in heavy industry, can give rise to disorders of the muscles, tendons and joints, particularly in the back, hands and arms. Remedial advice and preventative exercise are useful to prevent work related aches and strains.
What are the origins of osteopathy?
Andrew Taylor Still, born in 1828 in Virginia, USA, trained as a doctor
according to the system of medical education available at the time. As time
went on he followed a different path from many of his peers, eschewing alcohol
and the habit of contemporary physicians of administering crude drugs at
their disposal in heroic quantities. This drove him to seek new methods
of treating sickness. The outcome of his research was the application of
physical treatment as a specialised form of treatment for which he coined
the name 'Osteopathy'.
In 1892 A T Still organised a school in Kirksville, Missouri, for the teaching
of osteopathy and it was from these small beginnings that osteopathy was
brought to the UK around the turn of the century. The first school of osteopathy
in the UK was set in London in 1917 and over time other schools and colleges
followed.
Resume of Southport Osteopathic Practice
The practice was established in 1998 in order to offer Southport residents
a centrally located osteopathic surgery. The practice moved to Duke Street
in 2002 to larger premises, then to Manning Road in 2006 offering full disabled
access and a multi-disciplinary practice. All osteopaths at Southport Osteopathic Practice are registered with the General Osteopathic Council and the British Osteopathic Association.
Osteopaths at Southport Osteopathic Practice
Kay Atkinson qualified with a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Osteopathy in 1996 from the British School of Osteopathy in London. Kay worked as a locum osteopath for two years, gaining insight into various practice scenarios and methods of treatment. She has attended various post-graduate courses in many subjects, including dry-needling techniques and traditional acupuncture, cranial osteopathy, sports injuries, golf injuries and rehabilitation. She particularly enjoys seeing her younger children patients and people complaining of golf injuries. Kay has worked as an ostepath since 1996.
Gillian Parr qualified with a Bachelor degree in Osteopathy in 2007 from the Bristish School of Osteopathy in London. She has since worked in practices in Aintree and Darwen and joined us in 2009.
Atsuko Miyashita graduated from the European School of Osteopathy in 2010 with a B.Sc (Hons) and DO and since then has been working in clinics in Southport, as well as Wirral and Cheshire.
She is trained in a wide variety of osteopathic techniques such as cranial and visceral osteopathy, alongside with the more traditional structural techniques. Using the various approaches, she enjoys seeing babies, pregnant and post-partum women, as well as athletes and patients with everyday aches and pains. Atsuko joined us in 2010.
Susan Feetham qualified with a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Osteopathy in 2005 from North East Surrey College of Technology. She turned her interest to osteopathy after completing her 4 year homeopathy degree in London. She has an interest in sports massage and is very good at deep massage techniques. She is also the secretary of the Northern Counties Society of Osteopaths and has a keen interest in Continuing Professional Development (CPD). She also works in her own practice in Wigan and has worked with us since 2007.
Yassein Latef achieved a BSc (Hons) in Osteopathic Medicine and a Diploma in Naturopathic Medicine in 2003. Yassien (also known as Yaz) was raised in London, where he took an early interest in working in healthcare. His particular interest in natural, non invasive methods of maintaining and improving health led him to study at the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy (now known as the British College of Osteopathic Medicine). Since graduating, Yaz has continued to extend his knowledge and skills, having successfully completed post graduate courses in Cranial Osteopathy and The Perrin Technique™ for the osteopathic treatment of ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He has also been taught by renowned osteopaths John Wernham and Laurie Hartman. He is particularly interested in the variety of conditions that can be osteopathically treated, and is keen to express that osteopathy is not just for back pain
For Further Information & Advice
Please contact the practice on 01704 500905. Osteopathic appointments are with
Kay, Gillian, Susan or Atsuko and are available 6 days a week.
