WELLBEINg
OSTEOPATHY AND THE FIRE BRIGADE
HAZARDS OF THE JOB
Every job has its occupational hazards and for those working in The Fire Brigade, there are few exceptions. Whether its the physical demands of frontline fire and rescue, or sitting for long hours at a desk in an administrative role, these can all take its toll on our physical health, which in turn can affect our overall well-being.
From a sudden injury caused by lifting equipment or rescuing people, to the cumulative strains of repetitive work, symptoms such as pain and stiffness can easily occur.
OSTEOPATHY- HOW IT CAN HELP
Osteopathy is one type of complementary medicine where the practitioner diagnoses and treats problems within the musculo-skeletal system. Although people often think‘ osteopathy’ concerns just bones or just the spine, osteopaths treat a range of conditions that involve the whole body and other tissue types; ligaments, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, nerves and joints. So, even though many patients have problems in their back or neck, osteopaths can apply treatment for a wide range of conditions in all areas of the body. The effects of many health conditions on the body( e. g. digestive problems) can also be improved, though the underlying condition in itself may not be able to be resolved.
HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM MASSAGE AND WHAT HAPPENS IN A CONSULTATION?
Whereas pure massage mainly focuses on the soft tissues( i. e. muscles, tendons and ligaments), osteopathy can also influence the skeletal system by addressing restrictions in the joints of your body. Osteopaths can detect whether the function of a joint is impaired and perform adjustments to the joint-‘ clicking’( freeing up) the joint if safe to do so and with the patient’ s consent.
A record of your presenting complaint and background information regarding your general health will be taken. If you have any medical correspondence, X-ray / MRI reports or list of medication taken( names and dosages) or other relevant data then this will be useful to the osteopath if you bring this along. If your presentation is suitable for osteopathy, you will be asked to undress to your underwear so that a standing visual examination can take place. This is so the osteopath can get an idea of your overall structure.
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