What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is used by people of all ages who suffer from pain, tackling complaints ranging from sports and work-related injuries to arthritis, sciatica and migraine.
The osteopath's role is to alleviate pain and improve the patient's function and mobility.

Visiting an osteopath, you will be treated from 3 basic principles:

1) Your body is a whole and must be regarded and treated as such.
2) Your body can under the right conditions heal itself.
3) Your body's structure and function are mutually interdependent.

Osteopathy recognizes that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in our body's structure and function.
Osteopaths diagnose and treat problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to help the body's natural healing ability.

This way osteopaths avoid performing traditional symptomatic therapy.

What good is it for example. to loosen up a joint, if the muscles and connective tissues around this part still struggle? Exactly by looking at the body as a whole and work their way into the root causes of the symptoms, osteopaths achieve effective and lasting results. This is often seen already after a short course of osteopathic treatment.

Thus the treatment itself is not finished before the osteopathy so to speak, has made itself redundant. Once the optimal balance in the body is restored, the osteopath namely advises patients about the tools and opportunities - it can, for example be exercises that are required to maintain this optimal functioning.

Your osteopaths treatment involves gentle, manual techniques - easing pain, reducing swelling and improving mobility. Often, osteopathy involves manipulation, which can result in an audible 'crack' which is simply the sound of gas bubbles popping within the fluid of the joints.
Osteopathy does not involve the use of drugs or surgery but searches complete health the natural way in our Central London Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinics.

What is pain?
Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. It is often caused by swelling of tissue, which creates pressure on nerves and leads to discomfort. Pain is a useful mechanism to alert you to a problem, and stops you from damaging your body further. It should always, therefore, be taken seriously.
Pain can affect many areas of the body, but particularly the lower back, head, neck, joints and legs bring people to the osteopath. It can result from injuries and arthritis, and can also manifest itself in the form of rheumatic pain and period pain.
One of the main purposes of osteopathy is pain relief and the elimination of the cause of pain.

Osteopathy and the treatment of pain
Osteopaths can diagnose the cause of pain and help to ease it by reducing tissue inflammation. The osteopaths treatment methods range from massage of muscles and connective tissues to manipulation and stretching of joints.
This helps to reduce muscle spasm, to increase mobility and to create a healthier state in which damaged tissues can heal.
Much long-term, recurrent pain is caused by degenerative changes to the body's framework. Nobody can reverse this process of ageing, but your osteopaths treatment may still ease pain. Pain control is an important part of our treatment in the Central London Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinics and our osteopaths give guidance on simple self-help methods to use at home.
The skilled techniques of osteopathy can often allow you a speedy return to normal activity.
If you have had a pain for a long time, and other forms of treatment have not helped, osteopathic treatment can be beneficial, although it may require time and patience.

WIMBLEDON 2010
Central London osteopath Torben Hersborg with 3rd seed Caroline Wozniacki
and 7th seed Agnieszka Radwanska.

Key points to remember...
Osteopaths are skilled health care professionals, and osteopaths deal with pain every day.
Six million people suffering from pain are treated by osteopaths each year.
Osteopaths can help you with both treatment and advice on self-help.
Osteopaths treat acute and chronic pain and osteopaths can help prevent pain from recurring.
Our Osteopaths are all living up to the high standards of the Central London Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinics and the Register of Osteopaths.

Visiting an osteopath
On your first visit with an osteopath, and before examination begins, the osteopath will discuss and record your medical history in detail.
During examination and treatment from an osteopath or physiotherapist you will normally be asked to remove some of your outer clothing. Please wear underwear, shorts or sports bra that you feel comfortable in.
The osteopath will then apply a highly developed sense of touch to identify points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. Further investigations by your osteopath may include an x-ray or blood test. This will allow a full diagnosis of the problem and will enable the osteopath to tailor a treatment plan to your needs.
Your osteopath should make you feel at ease and tell you what is happening throughout your consultation. You should ask questions if you have any concerns. Osteopathy can help most people, and our osteopaths work closely hand in hand with the other therapists in the clinic to always achieve the optimal results If further medical treatment is needed the osteopath may contact your doctor, with your permission.

What is the audible click during an osteopathy adjustment caused by?
Joint manipulation is characteristically associated with the production of an audible clicking sound. When a manipulation is performed, the applied force separates the joint surfaces of a fully encapsulated synovial joint. This stretches the joint capsule, which in turn creates a reduction in pressure within the joint cavity. In this low pressure environment, some of the gases that are dissolved in the synovial fluid leave the solution creating a bubble which rapidly collapses upon itself, resulting in a 'clicking' sound. The effects of this process will remain for a period of time termed the refractory period, which can range from a few minutes to more than an hour, while it is slowly reabsorbed back into the synovial fluid. That is the reason, that it is normally possible to do an adjustment to the joint already after one hour – with a new audible click. That does not mean that the joint “has gone back”.

Many of our clients come for a back pain or sports injury and therefore wish to have osteopathy or physiotherapy, and a common question is: "should I see an osteopath or a physiotherapist?". The answer is quite simple: As our physiotherapists are very much hands on in their approach, and our osteopaths deal a lot with muscle injuries, we recommend either an osteopath or a physiotherapist.

Registered osteopaths:
Torben Hersborg, principal osteopath:
Torben founded the Central London and Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinic in 1991. His great insight into sports injuries comes from 35years of competitive judo, 5th in the 2002 World Masters Championship. He specialises in sports injuries and sports performance enhancement for the elite competitor as well as structural treatment for acute pain and long term conditions. He likes cases that have so far been resistant to treatment.
Patients have come from around the World to see him and flown him to most Continents as well. They include numerous World- and Olympic Champions, Oscar Winners and Top Performers.
Torben is registered with all the major private health insurances incl. AXA PPP BUPA.
David Annett, osteopath and ergonomist:
An ergonomic consultant, qualified as an osteopath in 1999 at the British School of Osteopathy.
David also uses dry needling, which is a kind of acupuncture.
Patients benefit not only from his treatment, but also from his expert advice on workstation set up and posture.
Since starting in the clinic he has joined Torben as the official osteopaths for the Olympic team in Modern Pentathlon and also worked at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
David is registered with all the major private health insurances incl. AXA PPP BUPA.
Inderpreet Kaur Saigal, osteopath and naturopath:
Qualified from the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in 2003.
Her treatments involve a holistic approach to the mind, body and soul, incorporating structural osteopathy, cranial osteopathy, visceral osteopathy and naturopathy.
She has a broadminded approach, treating each person as an individual, hence every treatment is different.
Inderpreet is registered with all the major private health insurances including AXA PPP and BUPA.
Diluka Perera, osteopath and naturopath:
Qualified from the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in 2003.
Her treatments consist of structural osteopathy and can involve cranial osteopathy, visceral osteopathy, naturopathy and nutrition.
She also has interest and experience in treating children and babies.
Diluka is registered with all the major private health insurances including AXA PPP and BUPA.
Chris Romero, osteopath and physiotherapist:
Qualified as a physiotherapist in 2003, he decided to further improve his treatment skills by becoming an osteopath as well. He is one of the very few in UK to have this treatment combination.
His background as a semiprofessional football player in Spain gives him the first hand insight into sports injuries and training, which is one of the areas, where Central London Osteopathy and Sports Injury Clinics excel above most.
Chis is registered with all the major private health insurances but not AXA PPP and BUPA.
Andrew Howard, osteopath and sports massage therapist:
Andrew qualified from The College of Osteopaths and has worked in physical therapy for over 15 years as a lifeguard, sports injury and deep tissue massage therapist, dry needling and trigger point acupuncturist, YMCA aerobics and fitness instructor and as an osteopath.
Drawing on a broad spectrum of techniques, he combines structural osteopathy with massage, stretching and dry needling.
Andrew provides simple advice on exercise and posture, which can be easily incorporated into your daily routine. This enables you to prevent injury and better equip your body to deal with the stresses and strains of everyday life.
Brent Snell, osteopath:
Brent qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 2002.He comes from a musical background and for many years prior to becoming an Osteopath he was a professional musician and worked extensively in London and throughout Europe. Brent has a wide variety of osteopathic experience and interests from treating babies using cranial osteopathy through to Structural techniques.
Brent is registered with all the major private health insurance companies incl AXA PPP and BUPA.
Paola Ceccarrelli, osteopath:
Paola grew up in Milan and moved to London in 1994 to study Law and Economics. After working in Brussels for the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO), she decided to take some time off to dedicate herself to her long standing interest in yoga. During the years that followed she encountered and experienced osteopathy and was so fascinated by the powerful healing tools that it offered and its philosophy that decided to train to become an Osteopath.)

Paola graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in London and obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Classical Osteopathy in Maidstone and completed a postgraduate course with the Sutherland Cranial College. In addition to osteopathy she is also experienced in using dry needling acupuncture and has completed a foundation course in Chinese syndrome acupuncture with Acumedic in Camden. Paola is also a qualified yoga teacher since 2001 (YogaArts, Byron Bay) and her curiosity and strong fascination with the self healing ability of the body and the strong connection between mind, soul and body continues to inspire her to deepen her knowledge within osteopathy, meditation and yoga and the power of their interaction in supporting health. Her osteopathic approach draws from a wide range of osteopathic techniques including structural, visceral, fascial and cranial. Paola has a strong interest in the treatment of babies and children.
Paola works in clinics in London and has worked as an osteopath and yoga teacher in Ulpotha Eco Resort in Sri Lanka. She also collaborates with NGOs that bring osteopathy alongside conventional medicine in developing countries.
Hi I am Paola and I am a qualified yoga teacher and osteopath. I love working with children and babies. I have had success treating babies as young as 1 week old to address possible strains following the birth process. I have a strong interest in treating stress related conditions such as neck and shoulder tension and recurrent headaches. One of my areas of expertise is addressing postural imbalances and lifestyle incorporating yoga based exercises and breathing, stretching as part of my treatment plan.

Ben Raikes, osteopath and naturopath:
Qualified from the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in 1999.
His treatments consist of structural osteopathy and can involve cranial osteopathy, visceral osteopathy, naturopathy and nutrition. .
Ben is registered with all the major private health insurances including PPP but not BUPA.
BEN NOW WORKS SOLELY IN HIS OWN OSTEOPATHY CLINIC IN BRIGHTON.

Osteopathy vs physiotherapy:
Many of our clients come for a back pain or sports injury and therefore wish to have osteopathy or physiotherapy, and a common question is: "should I see an osteopath or a physiotherapist?". The answer is quite simple: As our physiotherapists are very much hands on in their approach, and our osteopaths deal a lot with muscle injuries, we recommend either an osteopath or a physiotherapist.
The normal precepton of a physiotherapist is that he will use mainly ultrasound and rehabilitation exercises rather than giving hands on physiotherapy but our physiotherapists are as much as our osteopaths results driven in their treatment.

With osteopathy, physiotherapy, acupuncture and sports injury clinics in kings cross and Shoreditch, we are conveniently located for Central London, the City, North, West, South and East London.
Our Pentonville Road clinic is serving Islington, Kings Cross, Euston, St Pancras, Moorgate, West end, Camden, City, Chelsea, Harley Street, Kensington, Knightsbridge and post codes: N1, W1, W2, W8, NW1, WC1, WC2, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, SE1 for a complete health care.
Our Hoxton clinic is serving Shoreditch, City, Hackney, Canary Wharf, Liverpool Street and post codes: EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, E1, E2, N1