Men's Health Month: Osteopathy for Men

It's Men's Health month in June, and this article explores how Osteopathy can help men. Osteopathy is an alternative complementary medicine which aims to treat musculoskeletal system related disorders. Osteopaths believe that the body has a natural tendency to self-heal and that all of the body’s systems such as the muscles, bones and nerves are interconnected; therefore, if the structures of these systems are all aligned then the body will function optimally also.

Osteopathic treatment is most often preferred for disorders involving the spine, however, many osteopaths will also deal with joint injuries and soft tissue problems. An osteopath will generally spend the session with the patient treating their problem with a variety of techniques such as a soft or deep tissue massage, mobilisation of joints, joint manipulation, muscle stretches, acupuncture and will usually end the session by offering advice on body posture and exercises for the patient. The aim of these alternative treatments is to enhance the blood supply and nerve activity in tissues so the body uses its own natural healing mechanisms and that drugs and surgery can be avoided whenever possible.

Osteopaths tend to encounter plenty of sports injuries in men who are either new to sports or perhaps getting back into their game after a long break. It is important to understand that there can be many different reasons behind injuries, however having the correct knowledge and understanding can help us prevent further damage. Some of the most common reasons men will end up with sports injuries can involve simple reasons such as ill-fitting footwear which can lead to hip, knee or foot injuries, when exceptional physical demand is placed on their bodies, or perhaps when patients do not warm up or cool down correctly before and after exercise. In older players, injury can occur when the player does not recognise they are no longer able to perform at the same level their body once performed at.

An osteopath can help in such situations by not only treating the injury at hand but also by improving body performance. Once ease of movement is restored by various joint and tissue manipulation and massage techniques, the range of movement can also be increased.

Most men who are in physically demanding jobs may choose to regularly consult with an osteopath in order to prevent any musculoskeletal disorders. Unfortunately, men who are in such demanding jobs are at a higher risk of suffering from back and neck pains, these can develop into postural problems and even headaches and migraines if not properly treated beforehand. As an Osteopath Wilmslow, I see this quite often with their being a lot of office workers in the area. It is key to ensure you setup your desk for a good posture when working.

Many people are not aware of the fact that osteopaths treat patients who have arthritis every day. Arthritis can be classed into two separate types; osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis. Osteoarthritis is more common and will usually be localised to a particular area in the body such as the spine or knees. With early diagnosis and sensible osteopathic treatment the symptoms of pain, stiffness and reduced movement can be somewhat alleviated. Inflammatory arthritis, one form of which is rheumatoid arthritis will affect the whole body, in combination with some medication and osteopathy the severity of this disease can be minimised.

Osteoarthritis is more common in men, and although more women will be at risk of developing inflammatory arthritis there is still a significant incidence and prevalence of this disease in men. Osteopathic treatment can aid in reducing pain, improving mobility and joint movement as well as easing swelling. It is important to point out that osteopathic treatment is not painful; in fact, it can be relaxing and many patients report immediate symptom relief. Unfortunately, arthritis is a disease and cannot be cured; however symptoms can be eased with not just osteopathic care but also with medication and in more severe cases with surgery. Osteopaths can help with rehabilitation after surgery also.

Regardless of the patient’s condition and concern, osteopathy is a patient centred alternative medical treatment. Each session is always tailored and developed towards the patient individually with full patient consent.