As an osteopath, Debra treats any region of the body, from head to toe, experiencing pain, tingling or discomfort due to issues involving the neuro- musculoskeletal systems. This includes the joints, muscles, ligaments and the spine. Debra’s gentle and holistic approach to osteopathy enables the treatment of the causes of pain rather than simply masking the symptoms. A tailored solution will help encourage a life free of pain. If you are unsure whether your condition is suitable to be treated by an osteopath, please contact Debra.
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is common and can be caused by a variety of issues such as grinding or clenching and TMJ disorders. This can also lead to headaches or discomfort in the jaw region. Jaw pain is often associated with tension in the jaw muscles. The tension can build up due to stress, from grinding teeth during the night, or unknowingly clenching the jaw during the day. As an osteopath, Debra can assess the cause of your jaw pain and refer you to other medical professionals, such as the dentist, if required.
Headaches
Headaches can be caused by many factors. One of the most common causes of headaches is tension or issues within the neck and head musculature. Those who suffer from migraines might also find that tension can be a trigger. Debra can evaluate the cause of your headache and develop a treatment plan to reduce tension. She can assess your body and lifestyle to identify contributing factors. Hands-on treatment can be provided to reduce the frequency and severity of your pain. Techniques might include soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation and dry needling.
Neck pain
Regardless of age and fitness level, anyone can suffer from neck pain. This might be from an accident, postural tension, or sleeping awkwardly. Neck pain can lead to restricted movement, headaches, or referral down the arm, back and head. Debra will create a customised treatment tailored to your specific needs. This hands-on treatment may include joint articulation and manipulation, exercise prescription, and lifestyle and ergonomic assessments.
Would a new pillow help? Maybe. Debra can review your current pillow and make recommendations as required.
Postural & Overuse Injuries
Many office professionals suffer back, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, carpel tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury as a result of prolonged sitting at a desk. Debra offers a variety of natural osteopathic treatments to ease the pain, decrease stiffness and improve mobility. To effectively deal with the source of the problem, ergonomic assessments, exercise and rehabilitation programs are provided.
Injuries
Struggling with sport-related injuries, such as strained hamstrings, sprained ankles, groin and running injuries, can have a restrictive effect on your performance. Debra’s hands-on treatment will discourage inflammation and improve mobility so you can get back to the sport you love. Additionally, Debra offers sports advice, rehabilitation programs and exercise prescriptions to ensure you are at the top of your game.
Pregnancy & New Parents
Having first-hand experience in the effects of pregnancy and parenting on the body, Debra understands the need to create a gentle, safe and effective osteopathic treatment for you. Focusing on reducing pain and increasing mobility, Debra can help you prepare for labour and deal with the pains and strains associated with caring for a baby. Treatments may include body assessments and exercise programs.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain is one of the most common conditions Debra treats in her practice. Pain can be felt on lifting the arm, putting on a jacket, throwing, or at the gym. It can be caused by sports injuries, reaching awkwardly, or sometimes there is no obvious cause at all.
Debra can identify why you have the pain, referring for imaging if required. She can offer hands-on techniques to reduce the pain and improve the function of your shoulder. She can prescribe a simple rehabilitation program you can do at home to increase your strength and speed the recovery of your shoulder.
Rehabilitation
An important factor in any treatment plan is providing exercises or modifications that you can apply at home to empower you to take control of your health. Whether it be an injury, general aches and pains, or postural strain, Debra can provide an exercise program specific to your needs. Exercises can be easily done at home or in the gym if you have access to one. Other exercises can be incorporated into your day at work. Ergonomics at work, home or during exercise are important in reducing the strain on the body, and advice in these areas will be included in the rehabilitation plan.
Hip Pain
Pain in the hip is a common condition that can have many different causes. Pain can be felt in the thigh, groin, outside of the hip or in the buttocks. It can effect all ages, from the very young through to the elderly.
Debra is skilled at diagnosis and management of most mechanical hip issues and will refer for imaging or specialist treatment if indicated.
Getting Older
It’s no secret that when we get older we can experience increased aches and pains. Arthritis, previous injuries and general wear and tear can impact the way we move and interact with life. Lifestyle habits can catch up with us and we might not move as well as we once did. It’s never too late to try and improve mobility and achieve functional goals.
As an osteopath, Debra works to reduce pain and improve function with a gentle and supportive approach. She understands that it’s not as simple as just saying “move more” when impacting activities aggravate your joints!
Foot, Ankle & Leg
Foot, ankle, and leg pain is a common presentation in the clinic. It can be acute in nature following an injury or build up gradually. It can be caused by various structures, sometimes the cause of the pain is not where the pain is felt such as with sciatica. With a thorough assessment and case history, Debra can assess the cause of your symptoms, referring for imaging or orthotics if required.
Elbow, Wrist & Hand
We ask a lot of our hands and arms and sometimes they can experience aches and pains. It’s important to get these checked out promptly because many of the issues involving the arms can become chronic in nature without intervention. Debra can use hands-on evidence-based techniques including dry needling, and myofascial releases to reduce pain.
Children & Adolescents
Children and Adolescents can also suffer aches and pain. These can be due to injuries or falls or rapid growth. Postural problems are very common. These can be from inappropriate ergonomics, carrying heavy bags, or too much looking down at screens! It’s never too early to instill good ergonomic habits. Usually, kids bounce back, but if issues linger it might be time to see an Osteopath. Debra can assess the cause of the pain and refer if necessary. She can offer gentle hands-on treatments, education, and easily implemented exercise or advice
Knee Pain
Knee Pain can slow you down and prevent you from being as active as you would like. It can creep in, beginning with pain going up or down stairs, or come on acutely on the sports field or from a fall. It can be caused by arthritis, strains and tears, or from a variety of postural or positioning factors. Knee pain may not be caused by the knee at all, but rather from the strain put upon the knee repetitively from elsewhere in the body. Debra can assess the mechanism of your knee pain and develop a treatment plan to relieve the pain and help you get back to the activities you love.