We are a welcoming osteopathic clinic in Blackheath, South East London, providing osteopathy and related treatments such as cranial osteopathy, sports massage and dry needling. Our treatments are suitable for all the family, including pregnant mothers, babies and children, and the elderly.
We are easily accessible from the surrounding areas including Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford and Woolwich, and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues including back pain, neck pain, sports injury clinic and headaches. Booking is easy with our online system, allowing you to quickly find an available time and reserve your preferred slot with your chosen practitioner.
Osteopathy is a hands-on therapy used to treat a wide range of problems which have their roots in musculoskeletal issues. It is one of the 14 Allied Health Professions, and many osteopaths work in musculoskeletal departments of the NHS. Osteopaths complete a minimum 4-year degree and are registered with the General Osteopathic Council.
Osteopathy is a holistic treatment which considers the body as a whole rather than simply treating the affected or painful area. Osteopaths are often able to correctly diagnose problems which stem from other areas of the body, for example back pain caused by wearing poor shoes. Osteopaths are also trained First Contact Practitioners, able to assess and diagnose your problem in the first instance, and refer you to other services where osteopathy is not the most appropriate treatment.
Our skilled and experienced practitioners take a person-centred approach and are dedicated to helping you back to full health, whatever your age, activity level or health goals. Our osteopaths are fully registered with the General Osteopathic Council and Institute of Osteopathy.
Osteopaths are trained in a range of physical therapy techniques to improve your condition and help you back to full health. Osteopathy is particularly well known for direct spinal manipulation, which improves spinal alignment and creates a harmless cracking sound, but osteopaths are also trained in the use of various other physical therapy techniques including mobilisation and manipulation of the joints and muscles, various massage techniques including deep tissue massage and myofascial release, and dry needling, also known as Western Acupuncture.
There is no need to book an appointment for any particular treatment. Your osteopath will explain the most appropriate treatment methods for your problem following your initial examination and an osteopathic consultation will normally involve the use of several different techniques. If you have never received a particular type of treatment before your osteopath will discuss what to expect, and you can ask to avoid the use of needles if you are not comfortable.
Osteopaths are experts in spine and joint alignment, biomechanics and the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. This makes osteopathy an ideal treatment for anything spine-related – including back pain, neck pain and sciatica – and also most other aches and pains including frozen shoulder, foot and ankle pain including plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, knee pain, repetitive strain injuries and sports injuries.
The ability of osteopathy to provide general relaxation and realignment of the musculoskeletal system means that osteopaths can also help to manage chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, certain types of headaches, and digestive problems which have their roots in biomechanical issues.
If you have any questions whether osteopathy can help with your particular problem, please feel free to contact us, or book an initial appointment and we will be happy to discuss in more detail.
The various changes in the body during pregnancy can lead to a range of aches and pains, most particularly back pain caused by the weight of the baby pulling the body forward. Osteopaths are trained in working with pregnant mothers and can help your body to cope with joint and muscular aches and pains during pregnancy.
Osteopathy is also suitable for babies, children and adolescents. Many people feel that the gentler practice of cranial osteopathy can help to relax their baby, and osteopaths can also assess general biomechanical function if you suspect there may be a problem. Osteopaths also frequently treat children and young people for all the same issues as adults, particularly sporting injuries, or spinal issues brought on by poor posture or excessive smartphone use.
In older people, osteopaths are frequently sought to help with osteoarthritis, as an addition to core OA treatments, as well as general aches and pains and ensuring correct spinal alignment as the body grows older. Again, the gentle and non-invasive nature of osteopathic treatment makes it an ideal choice for the more frail.
Please note that although osteopathy and cranial osteopathy has a relaxing effect on the body that many people find helps with various other ailments, osteopaths do not directly treat non-biomechanical issues such as morning sickness, colic, or childhood (i.e. idiopathic) scoliosis. Please also note that children under 14 must be accompanied by an appropriate adult during their treatment session.
Osteopaths are experts in biomechanics and bodily alignment, and can give you lots of help and advice on staying healthy and ensuring your problem does not recur in the future.
If you have a sports injury, this might mean ensuring you have the correct stretches and exercises you need in order to ensure an adequate range of motion and strength in the areas of the body put under strain by your sport, to ensure you remain injury free in the future. If you have suffered from backache or other aches and pains, your osteopath can help you with things like an appropriate chair, the right kind of shoes or orthopaedic insoles, workstation setup, best mattress, driving position, etc., to ensure your ongoing spinal health. Many people also find that a monthly osteopathic “check up” helps them to stay healthy and pain-free.
Whatever problem you or someone close to you is suffering from, we will be happy to welcome you at our clinic in Blackheath, and are always on hand to answer any questions about osteopathy or about your condition in confidence.
Booking is easy with our online system, and we are easily accessible from the surrounding areas including Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford and Woolwich.
The information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Nirosan Sriskandarajah MOst, osteopath and clinical director of Sphere Osteopathic Clinic.
Sphere Osteopathic Clinic
5 Delacourt Road
Blackheath
London SE3 8XA
