What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of assessing, diagnosing and treating pain and dysfunction within the body.
As Osteopaths, we believe that your body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance. We also believe the body is an entire unit and the structure governs the function.
This means we treat you as a person and not just your symptoms. We aim to quickly identify the root cause driving your pain, what may have caused it in the first place and what is maintaining it. We then use a variety of manual therapy techniques aimed at the entire musculoskeletal system which help to relax tense tissues, improve the function and mobility of the joints and improve blood flow and oxygenation. This in turn helps to repair tissue damage and modulates the nervous system, therefore decreasing pain signals.
Osteopathy is a holistic, 360 approach to healthcare, so the treatment is only part of what we do. During your initial assessment, an in-depth consultation will be taken to get to know you and your health story. We need to know the WHOLE YOU to help you. This means we take details on your physical, emotional and mental well-being, as well as your past medical history and lifestyle. This allows us to create a unique treatment plan that will not only benefit you in the short term but will also help you accomplish your long-term health goals as well.
What can an Osteopath help with?
Osteopaths are highly trained healthcare professionals who can help with a number of musculoskeletal conditions such as:
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Lower back pain
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Upper back and rib pain
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Shoulder dysfunction
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Neck pain with associated headaches, such as cervicogenic headaches
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TMJ disorder
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Joint pain
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Sciatica
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Muscular tension
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Nerve pain and entrapment
As I have a specialist interest in women's health and pre and postpartum care, I also can help with:
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Bladder and bowel dysfunction, such as incontinence and constipation
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Pelvic pain
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Period pain
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Diastasis recti
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Pelvic girdle pain
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Pain on intercourse
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Coccyx pain
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General aches and pains during and after pregnancy
Some of the techniques used include;
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Soft tissue massage
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Stretching
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Visceral Mobilisation
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Joint articulation and spinal mobilisation
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Muscle energy techniques (METs)
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High-velocity/low-velocity amplitude thrusts are too specific to spinal joints
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Trigger point release and inhibition techniques
After the treatment
We want the best for you and your health. A tailored exercise plan will be given to you and will be adjusted and added to as treatment progresses. Initially, exercises may focus on relaxing tense tissues and increasing joint mobility, this may then progress to a more strength-based rehab plan. This is to decrease the chance of pain and dysfunction recurring as well as improve your overall strength. Lifestyle advice may include breathing techniques and routines to reduce stress and cardiovascular-based exercise advice to improve overall health & and well-being.
Your Osteopath, Antonia May M.Ost
I adore what I do and my mission is to not only get you out of pain, moving & and feeling better, but to also support, guide and empower you to become the best version of yourself. I love to incorporate all elements of osteopathy into each treatment and build a trusting and honest relationship with everybody who walks through the clinic doors.
My specialist interests are in women's health and pre and postnatal care.
A bit about me...
I graduated in 2021 after completing a 4 year integrated master's Degree in Osteopathic Medicine at the University of St. Marks and St. John's (Marjon's). From there I went straight into working as an associate within a multidisciplinary practice in Devon. In April 2022 I opened Tamar Valley Osteopathy, as I wanted to bring the incredible effects of Osteopathy to my community. Since then I've had the pleasure of treating many patients with a wide range of conditions, from aches and pains during and after pregnancy, lower back pain, shoulder and neck issues, general joint pain and so much more.
Upon graduating I have embarked on various postgraduate courses in women's health, including Women's Abdominal Visceral mobilisation, Internal Pelvic Floor assessment and Mummy MOT practitioner training.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, my passion is being a mum and raising my two girls. I also enjoy swimming, reading and walking my dog, a springer spaniel named Kit around the beautiful Devon and Cornwall countryside.
