Osteopathy
Howard McIntosh - Osteopath
Osteopath - B.Sc. Ost. Lic. Ac. I.T.E.C.
Howard spent a number of years in a wide variety of jobs including the Ministry of Defense and Metropolitan Police before deciding upon a career in osteopathy - a career prompted by his interest in human biology. On completion of four years full-time study at the British School of Osteopath (now called the University College of Osteopathy) he qualified with his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1993. He taught anatomy and sports massage for a while before moving on to study Acupuncture at the British College of Acupuncture in London. He obtained his Licentiate in Acupuncture in 1997, though his focus nowadays is Osteopathic.
Howard uses a variety of skills and techniques which may include soft or deep tissue massage, articulation, manipulation ('clicking') to release restricted joints, and more gentle functional techniques. Treatments are 'tailored' to each patients' needs as well as their presenting signs and symptoms.
Over the past 30 years years he has worked in numerous multi-disciplinary clinics around the UK, including large GP surgeries in the Channel Islands.
He is a member of the activity and social group Spice UK and enjoys many of their activities, including coasteering and kayaking. Howard is a ITEC qualified masseur, a qualified electrician and in 2022 obtained his RHS Diploma in Horticulture from Bicton College.
Musculoskeletal conditions often treated include:
- Neck pain and headaches
- Shoulder pain
- Rib problems
- Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
- Low back pain and ‘sciatica’
- Pelvic and sacroiliac joint problems
- Knee and foot problems
- Muscle and tendon strains/ligament sprains
Most of the patients he sees tend to be active adults or those with work-related problems. He is registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOC) and a member of the Institute of Osteopathy iO.
Brief History and Benefits
Brief History
Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by an American physician, Andrew Taylor Still. He believed that dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system such as those affecting bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and fascia, could predispose a person to illness.
He proposed that osteopathic manipulations could help a person regain health and wellbeing by stimulating what he believed to be their own innate healing potential.
Osteopathy in the UK
Osteopathy was founded in the UK in 1917 by John Martin Littlejohn who established the British School of Osteopathy, now the University College of Osteopathy (UCO). Like Andrew T Still, he also believed that the structure of a body governed its function.
What Are the Likely Benefits of Osteopathy?
Patients’ seeking osteopathic treatment often present with a variety of signs and symptoms - these may include acute or chronic pain, aching, stiffness, limitation of joint movements, scoliosis or poor posture. A combination of osteopathic treatments and techniques may be utilised. Soft or deep tissue massage can help ease aching muscles, and improve circulation and joint movements.
Manipulation can release restricted joints and is often associated with a ‘clicking’ sound. Stretching tissues and advice regarding exercise can help improve posture and mobility. Every patient’s problem will vary as will their response to treatment, but the aim is to ease any pain and discomfort as quickly as possible and promote recovery.
osteopathy & pregnancy
Common Pregnancy Complaints
Osteopaths spend four to five years training to understand the relationship between the body's organs, joints and muscles. Given the unique stresses pregnancy puts upon the body, osteopaths are well suited to diagnosing and helping you with some problems you may experience when you're expecting.
COMMON PREGNANCY COMPLAINTS
Many women experience back or pelvic pain, common symptoms may include:-
- Generalised Muscular back pain
- SPD (Symphasis Pubis Dysfunction) - pain or discomfort in the joint at the front of the pelvis
- Sacro Lilac Joint Pain - occurring in the lower back
- Sciatica and leg pain associated with back pain
- Rib and thoracic spinal problems leading to breathlessness and difficulty in deep breathing.
Many commonly used medications for these symptoms are often not recommended for a pregnant or breast feeding mother. Osteopathy offers an alternative approach to help you deal with these common conditions. Contact us if you need help, guidance and treatment for any of those conditions mentioned above.
Work, Driving & osteopathy
Your Health at Work & Driving
Habitual poor posture can contribute to daily aches and discomfort in the workplace and beyond. Whether you work at a desk or have a more manual occupation, your job may expose you to stresses and stains that can cause you pain.
Common causes of pain in the workplace can include:-
- Prolonged sitting at a desk
- Driving long distances
- Awkward lifting and carrying
- Overstretching
- Bending
- Extended periods of repetitive motion
- Using a computer without taking a break
These can lead to various aches and pains and other common musculoskeletal conditions such as sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Furthermore workplace stress can increase the amount of pain you feel by causing muscle tension and spasms.
You can discuss with our osteopath the impact that work may have on your body and agree on an appropriate course of action that may help. Along with hands-on osteopathic treatment, our osteopath may also offer advice on posture, lifting and workplace ergonomics.
osteopathy for children
Keeping your Child Healthy
Every parent's priority is to provide the best environment to support their child's health as they develop and grow. Parents visit Osteopaths for a range of reasons to support their child's health
How can an Osteopath Help?
- Our Osteopath will complete a thorough examination that will determine if osteopathic care can support your child's health.
- After this examination, our osteopath will discuss the care available and then jointly decide an appropriate and suitable plan.
- An osteopathic care plan is based on the individual needs of the patient, it will vary depending on your child's age and the diagnosis.
- Children, like adults, can be affected by general joint and muscle issues, which is one of the reasons people often visit an osteopath.
- Osteopaths generally use a wide range of gentle hands-on techniques that focus on releasing tension, improving mobility and optimising function. This is often used together with exercise and helpful advice.
Osteopathy in sport
Getting the Best out of Sport
Taking part in sport or keeping fit can be rewarding, improve your health and reduce your risk of serious illness such as heart problems, stroke or cancer. It can also help maintain your weight and improve your self-esteem.
Adults are advised to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic exercise per week, these can include:-
- Brisk walking
- Cycling
- Aqua aerobics
- Exercises to strengthen arms. legs and body muscle groups
Sport has become a way of life for many in the UK, with participants ranging from elite athletes to those who want to keep fit.
But what happens if you get an injury?
Participating in sports too often or too hard may result in an injury. Failing to warm up properly beforehand, or warm down and stretch after exercise may also result in strains.
How can our Osteopath help?
Osteopathic practice is a safe and effective form of prevention, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range health issues. It is common to feel some minor discomfort after training, as the body takes a little time to recover and adapt to the demands of your activities. Soreness often quickly resolves itself but occasionally it may persist. In these instances you may want to seek advise from an Osteopath.
- Osteopaths use a wide range of hands-on techniques that focus on releasing tension, stretching muscles and mobilising joints.
- Treatment varies depending on the age fitness levels and diagnosis
- Care is based on the individual needs of the patient.
- If you believe you have an injured limb - then rest, ice, compression and elevation may help, but seek advice if you are worried.
The good news is that although sports injuries are common, those who are active and have experience of following exercise routines may find they recover more quickly and easily from their injuries.
How can you help yourself?
- Begin your activity slowly and build up intensity
- Drink plenty of water when you are thirsty, especially if exercising
- Exercise regularly, and try to vary the types of exercise you do for all over body fitness.
