Osteopathy
Osteopaths relieve pain and restore the natural function of the body through manipulation, mobilisation, exercise and soft tissue work. They are trained to be able to diagnose as well as relieve your discomfort.
How can Osteopathy benefit me?
Osteopaths believe that a person’s health is dependent upon the correct alignment of their body. An Osteopath’s work is to correct the Physical structure in order to improve health and relieve pain. We treat muscular-skeletal discomfort, including back pain & joint pains of all kinds, headaches and migraines, muscle spasms, Sciatica, Neuralgias, Fibromyalgia, sports injuries, circulatory problems, cramps, digestive problems and many others. Osteopaths also have the training to accurately assess and diagnose your complaint as well as screen for potential health problems. We are also happy to look at your physical structure in relation to your general health or a health problem from which you may suffer.
About Osteopathy
A primary healthcare system complementary to other medical practices, Osteopathy is a manual therapy with a long and established history and its own insight as to how the body functions; with an emphasis on the importance of the structural integrity of the body.
Founded in 19th Century America by Andrew Taylor Still, from the experiences of his life as a rural doctor and treating the wounded during the Civil War, it is a system of diagnosis and treatment based on the principle that the wellbeing of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, connective tissues, blood and lymph all functioning harmoniously together. We treat medical disorders through the manipulation of these tissues.
Osteopaths achieve their end in a variety of ways, A T Still never prescribed techniques, he taught what correct anatomy and health felt like, so there are many different traditions. From those who examine the body to find a causal point to its imbalance, to those who look for disfunction in the area of pain in order to manipulate those tissues, and those who like to balance the whole structure, in the belief that the healthy body will correct the symptom.
Each of these objectives can be carried out in a variety of ways, from pressure on the tissues or sudden manipulation, to gentle movements that you might not even notice. Osteopaths have a long training, including in the medical sciences, and then spend years honing their skills and techniques and building experience, to make them truly effective.
What to expect from a visit
Before your visit
After making the appointment you will be emailed a form to complete to make sure that we get your details correct, you will be able to complete this online and send back it to us. The day before your appointment you will receive an appointment reminder, with confirmation of the time and any other information we may wish you to know.
The Consultation
A detailed history will be taken, if your story is particularly complex it may be a good idea to bring notes for us and lists of medication as well as any letters or images you may wish us to view. There will be time to discuss your condition and establish what you may need from treatment.
Assessment
From here we will start to look at your physical structure, we may ask you to remove clothing so as to assess you accurately. Using our sensitive fingers, we will palpate the tissues to build an understanding of the problem and get you to perform a few simple movements to assess the mechanic of your body.
Diagnosis
We should then be in a position to diagnose the causes of your difficulty and discuss our treatment plan with you. Understanding your condition will help you to look after yourself too, often accelerating your recovery. Your Osteopath will be happy to answer any questions.
Treatment
This can take many forms; your practitioner will tell you what they are doing and what they expect of you. Treatment may involve manipulations of the joints or tissues and they may work on parts away from the site of discomfort as the body acts as a whole. But always they will be as gentle as possible.
After treatment
You may be tired and relaxed, sometimes a little sore, it can take time for the full effect of the treatment to become evident. If the soreness lasts more than 24 hours, please contact your practitioner.
Meet Your Osteopaths
Philip Allen
BA (Hons) ND DO MSCCO; (Clinic Principal)
Philip qualified from the British college of Osteopathy and Naturopathy in 1993 and is also a qualified Naturopath. He has worked with the gentle technique, known as ‘Cranial Osteopathy’ or ‘Biodynamic Osteopathy’ for over 25 years, completing extensive post graduate study. His approach is holistic, looking at the many factors in a person’s life that influence their health. He enjoys treating babies and children as well as the aches and pains of adult life and is particularly interested in complex or chronic health problems and their relation to the physical structure.
Ben Colyer
BSc (Hons) Ost DPO MSTAT
With more than 15 years’ of wide-ranging experience, Ben’s postgraduate studies in Cranial, Biodynamic and Paediatric Osteopathy (at the Osteopathic Centre for Children), have been a tremendous asset to our Osteopathic team in Prestwood. He concentrates on the gentler work of Cranial Osteopathy bringing a great deal of skill and sensitivity to his treatment of everyone, from babies and children to adults and the elderly. His work is enhanced by his understanding Alexander Technique, which he also practices and teaches at the college in Reading.
What our customers say
“I first came to see Ben with symptoms diagnosed as ME that I had been struggling with for 2 years. Very quickly these symptoms became controllable and within a few months most had been eliminated. I am ever so grateful for Ben’s caring and understanding yet informative approach to Cranial Osteopathy. It really has been life changing and I would thoroughly recommend him to everyone.”
“I have benefitted from treatments myself, particularly at times of physical or emotional stress. Most of these have been to do with maintaining health, but I also got rapidly better after a prompt treatment following a fall down some stairs. I am always left feeling more balanced, breathing better and able to cope. I have recommended Phil to those with and without children for a variety of different reasons.”
“My back has gone from strength to strength and I have even been able to take up gardening, something I never imagined my back could endure. I have introduced a number of friends to Ben for back and hip issues and they are all delighted by the results of his treatments. We all have a huge respect for Ben’s ability as a Cranial Osteopath as well as really appreciating him as a wonderful and kind person.”
“We “found” Phil when my second son was an intolerable, crying baby and I was at my wits end. I was undecided as to whether Phil offered help to my son or a placebo to me but was happy that things were improving. I returned when a subsequent pregnancy left me barely able to walk. I remember staggering into his consulting room and pretty much skipping out. Following this I felt ready to explore how cranial osteopathy could help in managing my family’s well-being”
“I have a long history of back pain with severe congenital scoliosis and I have sought out the very best Cranial Osteopaths in London and Bath. I was anxious when I had to move to Oxfordshire but I was amazed and delighted to find Ben Colyer. Ben is one of the best Cranial Osteopaths I have ever been lucky enough to work with.”
“Ben uses gentle techniques and is always calm and positive. He has treated me during and post-pregnancies and also had sessions with my babies and now children. We have all noticed great improvements and the children very feel comfortable going to the practice. Over the years, I have recommended Ben to a number of people who have mentioned benefiting from his treatments. We are lucky to have him and the practice in Prestwood!”
“Phil has such breadth and depth of knowledge, I find many of his treatments so growthful – not just physically, as you might expect, but emotionally and spiritually too. His understanding and implementation of the holistic approach for his patients is something I don’t receive anywhere else! Phil has been a tremendous support over the years and I trust him implicitly as he helps me navigate this long and rocky road to good health!”
“Over the years I have asked Phil to help with anything from back ache and whiplash to concussions and health issues associated with internal organs playing up. I now visit for a general reboot every other month and consider his care to be part of my health plan. My children consider him a first port of call following a sporting injury. I can highly recommend his services.”
“Following a riding accident which resulted in severe whiplash, I found Ben and was intrigued by this gentle form of treatment, in particular that there is no “pulling and pushing”! After only two treatments, which were completely non-invasive, the pain and stiffness in my neck was hugely improved and I had far more movement than I thought possible. Ben also worked on realigning my shoulders and pelvis, after which I noticed when riding my horse that I could lengthen my right stirrup by a hole. I would highly recommend Ben’s gentle and skilled treatment to anyone.”
Osteopathy Bookings
Alexander Technique
The Alexander Technique is a skill for self-development, teaching you to change long-standing habits that cause unnecessary tension in everything you do.
Contrary to popular thought, it is not about sitting up and pulling your shoulders back, it consists of changing the way we think just before we move. Our bodies are then obliged to function to their best advantage in everyday activities such as walking, sitting, standing and bending, as well as when performing more specific activities such as driving a car, using a computer, digging in the garden and playing a sport or musical instrument.
It has repercussions in many areas of life and has the potential to increase poise, effortlessness, clarity and freedom.
The Alexander Technique is taught in one-to-one lessons with gentle hands-on and verbal guidance. The number of lessons people have depend on their particular needs and goals.
Whatever your age, ability or state of health, the Technique can help you get stronger and have more stamina, become more relaxed, think more clearly and recover from injury more quickly. It can enhance personal performance across the whole spectrum of human activity. It is possible for practically anyone to rediscover freedom.
It is an investment you make in yourself; its real value lies in learning to apply it in your daily activities, for life.
© Adrian Farrell
The Alexander Technique helps millions of people across the world to naturally overcome:
Back, neck and joint pain
Poor posture
Anxiety and stress-related conditions
Improve performance and prevent injury in music, drama and sport
Enhance business and presentation skills
Muscle tension and stiffness
Breathing and vocal problems
Improve performance and prevent injury in music, drama and sport
Develop ease and elegance in movement
Support pregnancy and childbirth
Meet Your Practitioner
Ben Colyer
BSc (Hons) Ost DPO MSTAT
Ben comes from a lineage of Alexander teachers, both his parents were also teachers. He has long experience and has taught anatomy within Alexander colleges. His understanding is infused by his Osteopathic studies of more than 15 years’, including postgraduate studies in Cranial, Biodynamic and Paediatric Osteopathy (at the Osteopathic Centre for Children).
He brings a gentle awareness and understanding to his work, he has practices Meditation all his life and is able to tune in to patients with tremendous sensitivity and care.
Alexander Technique Bookings
Osteomyology
What is Osteomyology?
Is a recent therapeutic philosophy which allows the practitioner to combine various techniques to provide the most appropriate treatment for each individual. It offers treatment for the whole body including arthritic conditions, strains and sprains, RSI, postural and chronic problems. Some individuals come with aches and pains while others consult with more severe and acutely painful conditions. Osteomyology can also address problems with internal organs and systems, making it helpful for conditions such as Asthma and IBS, for example, and also is used as preventative medicine.
Hopi Ear Candles
Ear candles are a soothing way of treating conditions of the ears, sinus’s, jaw, neck, headaches, migraines and dizziness. Ear candles are a hollow tube composed of a cloth mesh combined with beeswax, propolis and traditional herbs; Sage, St John’s wort, Chamomile and Lavender essential oil.
Laying on your side, a candle is placed in one ear & lit at the top. The warmth of the candle and gentle chimney effect draws wax out of the ear, improving drainage and easing stress, head pain and nervous tension. Treatment may also help improve nasal breathing, sense of smell, clarity of sight and hearing. Both ears are ‘candled’ and this is followed by cranial head massage techniques to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Meet Your Practitioner
Russell May
D.O. Lic. Ostm. Reflexology ITEC, Independent Yoga teacher
Russell received his Osteopathic Diploma in 1986 and qualified as a Reflexologist in 1994. More recently he has changed his registration to The Association of Osteomyology giving him greater freedom to practice the wide range of techniques and therapies he has studied. He has further completed courses in ergonomics, diet and exercise, has been practising Yoga for more than 25 years and has qualified to teach Yoga through the Iyengar School which focusses on the correct alignment of the spine and body.
Counselling
Ron Leon
MA Integ. Counselling and Psychotherapy, MSc, BSc (hons)
