ABOUT MULBERRY OSTEOPATHS

Patrick Harding formed Mulberry Osteopaths in 2000. We now have a team of three Osteopaths working at Mulberry House in the West End of Edinburgh. Clinic appointments are available six days a week including evenings and Saturdays.

We also provide Low Income Clinics with the help of Mulberry House Health Foundation to provide Osteopathic treatment for those that would not ordinarily be able to afford such treatment.

All our Osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

PATRICK HARDING: BSc.DO.ND.

Patrick is the Principal Osteopath at Mulberry Osteopaths as well as being one of the directors of Mulberry House and The Mulberry House Health Foundation. He studied in London at the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy (BCNO) and qualified in 1989. His particular field of interest is working with pre and postnatal clients. He has been practicing in Edinburgh since 1996. He previously worked as a hospital pharmacist.

AILIS BUCHANAN B.Ost.Med. BA.

Ailis is a graduate of Heriot-Watt Universtity (BA Leisure Management) and has a B.Ost Med from British College of Osteopathic Medicine. She also has qualifications in Advanced Sports and Remedial Massage therapy, Personal Training and Cranial Osteopathy. More recently she added a Pilates qualification to her list. Ailis uses a combination of these techniques in her treatments, which are suitable for all age groups. She started midwifery training in September 2009 and is presently working part time at Mulberry House.

HOLLY SNELL BSc B.Ost

Holly first obtained a degree in psychology (BSc Psychology) before studying osteopathy and gaining her degree (B.Ost) from the British School of Osteopathy in London. She also has qualifications in Advanced Sports and Remedial massage. Since qualifying as an osteopath Holly has completed postgraduate courses in Cranial osteopathy at the Sutherland Cranial College and completed a diploma in Animal Osteopathy, specializing in treating horses and dogs. Holly has a particularly global and holistic approach to treatment and is able to adapt her treatment to patients' needs, from improving sporting performance to treatment of infants.

FIONA McINTOSH BSc (Hons) B.Ost.
Fiona graduated with distinction from the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) in 2009 having previously gained BSc (Hons) from St Andrews University and worked in London for 10 years. She has had extensive clinical experience treating a wide range of both acute and chronic problems in patients of all ages during her two years working in the BSO clinic and beyond. Following further postgraduate cranial osteopathic training, Fiona combines cranial, functional and structural techniques in her holistic treatments. She has a particular osteopathic interest in treating pre and postnatal patients and patients with sports injuries.

Any questions?
Why not email me info@mulberryosteopath.co.uk

OSTEOPATHY - AN INTRODUCTION

Osteopathy is a safe and natural therapy that focuses on the framework of the body consisting of the bones, ligaments, muscles and connective tissues or fascia. Osteopaths assess the condition of this musculo-skeletal system looking for areas of weakness, imbalance and excessive strain. Any potential ‘weak points’ will determine how well the body functions and they will have an influence on the general health of the whole body.

Osteopaths have become well known for treating back problems because they are so good at it, however, many other conditions can be very successfully treated with osteopathy. The musculo-skeletal system forms the framework that carries the body's network of nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics. It also physically supports the internal organs. The health of the musculo-skeletal system therefore has a direct effect on the health of the rest of the body. Osteopathic treatment aimed at improving the mechanics of the body automatically influences such things as blood and nerve supply as well as activity of the internal organs. It is because of this that osteopathy, as well as treating the more obvious headaches, joint problems, sports injuries and postural strains, can also improve general health.

For further information:
General Osteopathic Council

OSTEOPATHY - & ARTHRITIS

Arthritis can generally be divided into two basic types:

Degenerative or OSTEOARTHRITIS is the most common form and is linked with ‘wear and tear’ of the joints resulting from excessive stress and strain put on an area through poor posture, heavy manual work and old injuries. The joints involved become worn, painful, and stiff. This type of arthritis is commonly seen and treated effectively by Osteopaths.

Inflammatory arthritis such as RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS not only produces painful, swollen, and stiff joints, but affects the whole body including a breakdown in the immune system. This type of arthritis is more difficult to treat, but again Osteopathic approaches can relieve the musculo-skeletal symptoms.

Many arthritis sufferers are told that ‘nothing can be done, you just have to live with it’ or ‘pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs are the only treatment available’. Osteopathy does not aim to reverse the damage already done to the joints but treatment can certainly ease the pain, reduce swelling, improve the stiffness and restore some joint mobility. As a result of this there is often less reliance on medication and consequently less problems with the inevitable side effects of the drugs, such as gastritis.

Treatment aims to get the best out of the affected areas by improving the mobility of arthritic joints as far as possible. Associated joints and tissues may also require treatment to ensure that they are functioning well enough to take the extra strain and compensate for the damaged joint(s) so maintaining good overall mobility.

In chronic cases it may not be the actual arthritic joint(s) that causes most of the pain. The body often naturally tries to protect the joint by splinting it with muscle spasm and it is the muscles and soft tissues that are the source of the aches and pains. Osteopathic treatment can reduce this excessive muscle tension, ease the pain and improve movement.

OSTEOPATHY - & CHRONIC FATIGUE

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) presents itself in many different ways with symptoms ranging from headaches to intense lethargy, muscular pains to mental confusion, and general weakness to disturbed sleep.

For the past 20 years Raymond Perrin, a Manchester based osteopath, has been researching Chronic Fatigue and the way in which osteopathic treatment can help suffers with this debilitating illness. His work suggests that upper back problems, either through previous injury or chronic postural strain are commonly found in this patient group. It has been suggested that the chronic stiffness leads to irritation of the Sympathetic Nervous System with which this area is closely linked. The lymphatic vessels, which form the bodys' natural waste disposal system, eventually become involved as a result of the chronic tension and consequent breakdown in control from the sympathetic nerves. The M.E. sufferer is left with a clogged and toxic lymphatic system, chronic muscular tension patterns over the upper back and rib cage and a poor breathing mechanism.

Osteopathy alone will not 'cure' M.E. The treatment has to be backed up with a programme of self help measures which may include simple exercise regimes and breathing techniques, postural advice, hydrotherapy approaches, dietary advice and general health promotion ideas.

No two M.E. sufferers are the same and treatment programmes have to be tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Recovery takes time with such a chronic condition but in each case full involvement in the regime is encouraged, as this will speed the recovery process.

For more information about Raymond Perrins treatment approaches and research follow the link:

www.theperrinclinic.com

OSTEOPATHY - & PREGNANCY

Mulberry Osteopaths have gained a lot of experience working with pregnant women because of the close relationship we have with other teachers and therapists practising at Mulberry House.  Yoga in Pregnancy classes, Birth Preparation workshops and Pregnancy Massage are just a few of the things that bring pregnant women (and their families) in to Mulberry House.The shifting stresses and strains of pregnancy, together with the changing hormonal influences on ligaments and joints, can highlight old physical weaknesses. Finding new ways to walk, sit and sleep as a result of the changes in size and shape may introduce new aches and pains.

Despite what you might hear low back pain, sciatica, hip pain and generalised backache is not an inevitable part of the pregnancy experience. In actual fact pregnancy is a time when women are usually very responsive to Osteopathic treatment. Using massage techniques, mobilisation and stretching of joints, together with simple exercise regimes and sensible back care advice Osteopathy can ease the strain.

Pain in the groin or lower abdomen with a feeling that ‘something is about to give’ is often diagnosed as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). This can make walking and even moving extremely difficult.  SPD is often misdiagnosed in pregnancy and the majority of patients with these symptoms respond incredibly well to Osteopathy.

OSTEOPATHY - & ASTHMA

More information to follow

CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY

Cranial Osteopathy is a subtle type of osteopathic treatment that uses extremely gentle techniques to release strain patterns and tensions throughout the body. It is called 'cranial' because treatment often involves gentle pressure on the head, although other parts of the body such as the spine and tailbone can also be involved in treatment.

During treatment, the Osteopath is feeling for a subtle rhythmical shape change that is present in all living body tissues called 'involuntary motion'. The involuntary motion of the brain can be felt through the bones of the skull and the Osteopath can feel for any disruption in its normal movement pattern. This disruption can occur following trauma or impact such as a difficult birth, road accidents, falls and head injuries. Usually the body is able to compensate for such events, but sometimes an accumulation of several strains and stresses can disrupt normal involuntary motion, and symptoms start to show.

Cranial Osteopathy is suitable for all ages and conditions. As it is extremely gently treatment it is even suitable for newborn babies and the very elderly.

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