Opening Hours
(Reception Opens 9am- 6.45pm Daily) Mon - 8.30am to 6.45pm, Tues - 8.30am to 6pm, Wed - 8am to 7pm, Thurs - 8am to 6pm, Fri - 8.30am to 6.30pm, Sat - 9am to 1pm
Prices Start From
£43 Per Consultation / Treatment
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Visit Us Our Clinic
2 Birling Avenue, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7HB
Opening Hours
(Reception Opens 9am- 6.45pm Daily) Mon - 8.30am to 6.45pm, Tues - 8.30am to 6pm, Wed - 8am to 7pm, Thurs - 8am to 6pm, Fri - 8.30am to 6.30pm, Sat - 9am to 1pm
Prices Start From
£43 Per Consultation / Treatment
Book Online Now
Check Our Availability
Visit Us Our Clinic
2 Birling Avenue, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7HB
Established Since 2000 And Treated over 10,000 Patients
registered by the General Osteopathic Council
What Is Osteopathy
Osteopathy was developed by an American Doctor in the late 1800’s called Andrew Taylor Still. He taught a philosophy of approach which centres on the body being a self healing mechanism. It is the job of the Osteopath to understand what the obstructions to that healing mechanism are and where possible endeavour to remove these obstructions. This is why during your visit the Osteopath they may recommend lifestyle changes such as changes in diet and exercise as well as the manual treatment itself.
A. T. Still taught that the body is a unit therefore one area may be very important on another. This is why often an Osteopath may be examining or treating an area far removed from the area of pain. The Osteopath will explain how these areas are connected so this is fully explained.
A. T. Still taught the rule of the artery is supreme, which means that for health to occur in the body, the fluids must be able to access the cell. This means that oxygen, glucose and a multitude of other molecules can provide each cell what it needs for health. The waste products must also be removed from the cell and this is all achieved through the arteries, veins and lymphatic circulation. Still also said we live in our fascia. What is fascia? Fascia is the tissue which surrounds the muscles and joints. The important fact is that the arteries, veins nerves and lymph glands all sit in the fascia. Therefore when we treat those areas we are aiming to improve the function of the nerves, muscles, ligaments and joints. Through the improvement in the fluid flows in the fascia the body may have profound effects on the overall body function.
registered by the General Osteopathic Council
How Many Times Will I Attend The Clinic?
On average a typical number of visits is 2 to 6 and generally the sooner we see you after the symptoms begin the quicker you will respond, this is however obviously dependent on the diagnosis. It is the policy of this practice that if you do not respond to your treatment we will discuss other alternatives and try to find an approach that may be more suitable for you, or refer you for further tests or investigations if appropriate either through your G.P. or occasionally through private referral. All medical treatment is dependent on the individual’s body. Therefore what may work for one person may not for another. This can occur in complicated cases and the Osteopath may recommend a trial of a treatment which you may then decide to continue if you feel it to be beneficial.
What About Side Effects?
The aim of the treatment is to restore normal function which should have the effect of reducing symptoms. All medical interventions do unfortunately however carry a risk and Osteopathy is no different. Fortunately the side effects related to Osteopathy are usually very mild. Tiredness, soreness or pain are the most common. Not everybody will have a reaction and typically this lasts less than 48 hours. The reaction often diminishes as the treatment progresses.
Most Osteopathic treatment has minimal side effects however the most adverse potential side effect of Osteopathic treatment is related to neck manipulation. There is anecdotal evidence of an association with neck manipulation and stroke due to the anatomy of the neck arteries at the top of the neck. There has however yet to be a study that shows a direct link to neck manipulation and it is the job of the Osteopath to conduct a thorough case history and examination to identify any warning signs of increased susceptability to this. The possibility of this has been estimated between 1 in 100000 to one in 6 million so therefore a small risk. The Osteopath will discuss any concerns you have if considering this treatment. The Osteopathic profession is currently undertaking widespread research regarding the potential side effects from treatment. As soon as this research is concluded the results will be commented and reported on the website.
Our Osteopaths will endeavour to do their very best to resolve your discomfort and if recommending treatment they will be happy to discuss any usual or associated serious risk with you. Therefore treatment with only be given with informed consent. Although Osteopaths are experts in the application of specific manipulative techniques we would appreciate any preference you have regarding your treatment. If you would like any further information please email us .
Common Issues
You can find full details regarding Osteopathy on the Osteopathy and our patient information pages of this website. There is also the health zone page which has lots of information that supports and supplements the treatment you may receive at the clinic.
Neck pain is a common occurrence and many of the main neck muscles have their point of attachment at the base of the skull. There are also nerves that supply the head that originate in the upper neck. As a result head pain and headaches are often associated with neck pain. The function of upper back and ribs and even the way we breath can affect the neck. Posture and exercise are considered and used when considering the treatment of neck pain.
Sports injuries can be either due to direct trauma or strain over time. Our Osteopaths wil typically examine the whole body as the body is a unit and linked though the connective tissue. At Rainham Osteopathic Clinic we focus on prevention rather than cure and give sports people advice on warm ups and warm downs, stretching and/or strengthening specifically to their individual requirements.
60 to 70% of us may suffer with an episode of low back pain at least once in our lives in industrialised countries (WHO). The World Health Organisation describes low back pain in this context “…the causes of the onset of low back pain remain obscure and diagnosis difficult to make. " At the Rainham Osteopathic Clinic through examination we endevour to understand your back pain and work together for the best outcome possible for your diagnosis.
The human body is designed to move, it is key to our health. The modern lifestyle unfortunately forces us to sit for prolonged periods of time at desks, in cars, even on the sofa at home. This can cause stiffness and other problems in the musculo-skeletal system such as muscle and tendon injuries, slipped discs etc. Our Osteopaths can assist in improving the range of motion of joints and reducing stiffness.
The process of aging means that our body is constantly changing and that aging results in degeneration of the joints. Symptoms can range from stiffness, mild aching or severe pain. Our Osteopaths identify areas of poor movement within the tissues of the body and improve function to reduce mechanic load on worn or arthirtic joints. Exercises and a management plan can be tailored to the individual.
We Treat For
We provide Osteopathic healthcare to all patients from across North Kent including Rainham, Sittingbourne, Medway, Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, Strood, Sheerness, Maidstone and Faversham.
Adults
Osteopathy considers mind, matter and motion or in modern terms Body, Mind and Spirit. Problems with the body arise due to mechanical strain, biochemical strain and emotional strains. At the Rainham Osteopathic Clinic we endeavour to understand what is most important for you. A thorough case history begins the investigation of understanding. An examination primarily using the use of touch to ascertain tension in the body in relation to anatomy and fluid mechanics then gives further information. We then discuss our findings and if appropriate treatment with massage, specific joint and ligamentous adjustment, muscle work and fluid mechanic work through gentle cranial techniques and breathing and visualization exercises may be given. Exercise therapy can also be given to help improve or maintain the motion in the body. Ergonomic assessment and exercise assessment as with some patients the problem may be not enough exercise and others may be too much of the wrong type of exercise.
Children
It is one of the most common misconceptions that because children are so flexible, mechanical strain does not affect them as it would adults. However they experience mechanical strain, chemical strain and emotional strain just as the rest of humanity does and currently our children move less than at any time in human history. The too little or too much is just as important for them as adults. Growing bodies adapt around strain however they can struggle. “Growing pains” are a misconception, any pain felt means something and at the Rainham Osteopathic Clinic we endeavour to understand what is causing this pain. Falls, accidents, diet and stress all contribute to that child’s function and often at the clinic there is no known onset to the young persons pain until when our osteopaths feel the function and describe then tension in the body the parent often remembers the fall off the scooter, a poor football challenge or fall down the stairs a few months before.
Babies
The body is designed to cope with the strain of birth however very quick births, Cesarian sections, emergency delivery (when babies get struck in the birth canal), the use of Ventouse or forceps can put significant strain in a babies body. When we have strain and pain we often feel sorry for ourselves and rather grumpy. This presents as an unsettled uncomfortable child. This is often termed colic and colic and can be very distressing for both parents and the childen. Biochemically formula milk that is based on cows milk can also upset some babies and this results in significant tension in the babies stomach and can present with green coloured nappies (after the initial first week of birth). The baby can struggle to cope and therefore be unsettled. Our osteopaths at the Rainham Osteopathic Clinic will assess the baby and if they have any concerns may recommend a referral to someone more appropriate if needed, however if unsure always consult your midwife, doctor or hospital. Quite often patients bring in their children for a check up post delivery.
Mums To Be
The body undergoes significant changes in the process of pregnancy. The anatomical function of the pelvis is important in the delivery of the baby during delivery. At the Rainham Osteopathic Clinic an assessment of the mechanical function of the pelvis is made to maximize function both regarding symptoms and also in relation to the function of the anatomy required to change during the birth process. The function of the thoraco-lumbar fascia, the sacro-iliac joints and the pubis cartilage joint is all key to enable the passage of the baby from the mothers womb into the world at delivery. If the pelvis function is not ideal due to mechanical strain the lower back can often be affected and pain ensues. It is also possible to have other problems and strains during pregnancy and normally these are often treated with medications. Osteopathy therefore provides a natural way to help when the use of medications is less appropriate.
Ageing
Just because we are aging it does not mean we cannot help the body to function as well as possible. Maintaining mobility is key to health and at the Rainham Osteopathic Clinic we strongly believe in helping the aging population encouraging mobility and exercise. As we age it is fundamental for good health to encourage social interaction and learning. Therefore the Osteopathic treatment approach is to understand our patients both physically and emotionally. This is more important in our aging population as social isolation and loneliness are unfortunately a part of modern society. Losing confidence physically therefore can further impact health. Helping our elderly patients to remain active and flexible is therefore a key factor in health.
Everyone
We all pick up mechanical strain in our day to day, a slip up the stairs, hitting your head on the kitchen cupboard, a fall over the dog, the list is endless of how our day to day physical life can impact our mechanical function. Weeks later we can wake with some neck pain or back pain that does not seem to have any real reason to its onset. As Osteopaths we use the sense of touch to understand when the tissues of the body are not moving in their normal range of motion which can then result in pain being perceived in our brains. This is why sometimes Osteopaths can work in areas not seemingly connected to our pain. Our Osteopaths will explain the possible connections and why this may contribute to your pain. Sports injuries can also be involved in this way as any repetitive action on our bodies can give issues from time to time.
How much does Osteopathic treatment cost?
Subsequent treatment sessions (30 minutes)
Homes visits - disabled & non-disabled
Subsequent treatment sessions (30 minutes)
Homes visits - disabled & non-disabled
Many private health insurance schemes give benefits for Osteopathic treatment. Some will reimburse the total fee that you have paid, some only a percentage. All insurance companies have help lines to explain your benefits and methods of claiming.
