Ouch! A sprained ankle ...
Tired of having a headache
Sexual Disorders: and whether it was the liver or coccyx
I want a baby, can it help me?
And to relieve stomach pain?
Why do we have to show him our scars?
What is a good osteo?
Women better clients than men
Stop the received ideas!
Is it also effective for ...
The limits of osteopathy
The osteopath?
A mechanic ! A specialized mechanic! What did I say ? A precision watchmaker! Judge: our 200 or so bones fit into each other to form the skeleton on which tendons, muscles and viscera are anchored. That's the anatomical base. But there are hiccups. Breakdowns. "When it creates a blockage somewhere, it causes traction on the muscles or organs that are anatomically linked, says Michael Ghanem *, osteopath . In addition, the circulation in vessels at this level is often slowed down. As a result, the surrounding tissues are less oxygenated, which can cause pain and, if it is an organ, prevent it from functioning properly. These cascading reactions sometimes produce reverberations to the other end of the body. All the work of the osteopath then consists in putting each structure back in its place . It does not focus on what hurts but goes back to the origin of the failure. Then the body does the rest ...
* Author of Can any cure by osteopathy ?, ed. Practical Hatchet, 14,90 €.
Ouch! A sprained ankle ...
►It works ... after the period of immobilization recommended by the doctor for a sprain with strapping or immediately after a slight sprain : the osteopath can then help the foot to find a good placement on the ground . The latter often tends to take bad positions because the joint is still fragile. The risk ? Consequences on the knee and pelvis that in turn compensate for a bad position. Within two months, lower back pain may occur.
► It does not work ... on severe sprains , when the ligament is torn off, only the orthopedic surgeon can intervene.Tired of having a headache
►It works only on pain that is actually the immersed part of an articular problem between two vertebrae . Some signs give us tracks: we are stressed, we contract a lot and often the upper back at the shoulders and neck. Moreover, these headaches are often accompanied by pain in the neck . By restoring all its mobility to the joint in question, the osteopath gets a relaxing cervical . It is up to us to find regular relaxing solutions to prevent our joints from reciprocating.
►It does not work ... if the headaches do not have an articular "root". Thus, it is useless to rush to the osteo if one is a true migraine (it is a vascular problem) or when one has the head like a watermelon. Good to know: if the headaches occur in the evening, especially at 17-18 h, repeatedly, it may be due to eye fatigue related to a beginning of presbyopia or a previously undetected vision disorder .Sexual Disorders: and whether it was the liver or coccyx
►It works ... when the absence or the decrease of libido results from a big tiredness . Involved: the liver, tugged due to a blockage at one of its anchor points. It is always more difficult to recover if it works in slow motion because it is responsible for the synthesis of tryptophan (an amino acid important for sleep). In this case, the libido is relegated to the rank of non-priorities. The osteopath then practices a series of manipulations to free the liver . It can also intervene when there is a superficial pain during sexual intercourse (we speak of dyspareunia). This sensation is often due to a torsion of the sacrum or coccyx: it is therefore sufficient to act at this level so that the vaginal hypersensitivity disappears (all the gestures are external, there is never any vaginal or rectal touch) .
►It does not work ... if the sexual disorders result from a gynecological problem (a fibroid, for example), the best is to consult a gynecologist. If this reflects a hormonal problem (direction: the endocrinologist). If it is a problem of couple, in this case, it is better to see a therapist of couple or a sexologist.I want a baby, can it help me?
►It works ... in some cases of unexplained infertility. By definition, these are cases in which no organic cause has been found, on the female or the male side. The osteopath then seeks an antecedent, even very old, of fall on the coccyx which could lead to the blockage of the sacrum and, with him, that of the uterus. By manipulating the sacrum (externally), it can restore its mobility to the uterus and thus increase the chances of pregnancy.
►It does not work ... it is difficult to know what gets stuck during "unexplained sterility", defined by the absence of conception after two years of testing and without apparent medical cause. This is about 1 infertile couple out of 8. The solution is often to consult a specialist in infertility, but even in vitro fertilization procedures, which lead to the most general, are not a guarantee of success.And to relieve stomach pain?
►It works ... rather well since, after the back pain , it is the stomach pains that often push us to the osteo. With about 5-6 meters of digestive tract, the intestine is frequently compressed in our abdomen . However, it needs mobility (the more mobile it is, the better it absorbs nutrients). Osteopathic solution: no massage (damage!) But an association of manipulations in the colon and diaphragm , the muscle that regulates breathing. In parallel, you breathe deeply to be able to also work with the rhythm of the breathing. This helps to restore mobility to the intestine.
►It does not work ... when the digestive disorders result from a recurrent junk food (not enough fiber or too much suddenly, too much fat ...) or a high digestive sensitivity (sign of anxiety) .Why do we have to show him our scars?
►It works ... because a scar is a point of weakness . The tissues on which it rests are more likely to stick together, forming thick areas that block everything (nerves and vessels) at their level. Thus, a simple appendicitis scar can, by the game of adhesions, disrupt the intestine and cause painful spasms or cause lower back pain. The work of the osteopath then consists in making him more flexible and making all the mobility of the underlying tissues . The physiotherapist already does it on ugly scars (keloids, red and blistered), but the osteopath, it also checks all seemingly harmless, because we can sometimes have surprises!
►It does not work ... we are exempted from consulting for a scratch on the hand, however, it is always interesting to show a scar when she took the dermis in her nets.What is a good osteo?
► An osteopath has 3 years of advanced studies in anatomy (6 years in some schools, but the law requires only 3) at the end of which he obtained his degree in osteopathy (DO). He works in partnership with doctors.
►The consultation. He always starts by asking you to know your medical and surgical history. He appreciates your reflexes and makes a diagnosis of the initial blockage. He can then start the treatment for which he uses only his hands . The duration of a session is very variable depending on the problem, but the first can last more than one hour. It never hurts because it does not force. The number of sessions is always limited only one for an acute problem like a torticollis, more than 3 for a chronic problem: the osteopath then treats the initial blockage, and the body does the rest. This is also why relief is not immediate (1 to 5 days).
►The cost. The prices are free (50 to 90 €) and the sessions are not supported by the Social Security (unless your osteopath is also a doctor), but more and more mutuals pay them back.Women better clients than men
►Question of hormones! Progesterone and estrogen play Yo-Yo with the laxity of our tendons, our ligaments and, therefore, with the traction they exert on our bones. In addition, there are large variations in weight with our pregnancies, sometimes exceptional stretching at the time of delivery. And since, at the same time, our waistbelt is weaker than that of men, our skeleton, our muscles and our viscera are more likely to be pulled from one side or the other. This is why women may need, more often than men, to see an osteopath.Stop the received ideas!
► During a session of osteopathy, it must crack . False! To crack is not to cure. It is necessary to restore mobility to the bone or blocked organ.
► In case of back pain, the osteo moves the vertebrae . False! He can not put back a joint (this is the responsibility of the orthopedic surgeon), but he plays on the tensions of the muscles and ligaments that have an anchor point at this level, until finding the point of equilibrium .
► The bones of the malleable skull in childhood do not move anymore in the adult . True ! "Cranial" osteopathy is indicated in babies who have had difficult births or born with forceps. Nevertheless, in the adult, this is enough to decompress the nerves responsible for painful crises.
► Osteo and physio, it's the same thing . False! The osteo makes his own diagnosis with his hands and treats the cause of the problem. The physiotherapist - on medical prescription - performs rehabilitation work targeting a local area, using machines or massage to relieve.
Is it also effective for ...
► Heavy legs ? Bof, blah. Most of the time, this phenomenon is linked to veins in bad condition and, in this case, it is especially necessary to ask a good lymphatic drainage to his physiotherapist and be followed by a phlebologist. But, the osteopath can intervene on the diaphragm. This muscle of the breath normally creates a continuous pressure on the blood and lymphatic vessels, thus indirectly facilitating the venous return. If it falters in its mission, there may be a slowdown in venous return, this is where the osteo can act in addition.
► Sinusitis ? It helps a little when the inflammation is chronic. It acts on the frontal bone, sinuses and bones of the nose to restore good drainage. This increases the local immune defenses to reduce the risk of recurrence, especially on allergic terrain.
► The post-operative period ? It depends. Our pro can especially intervene in addition to an orthopedic intervention. It ensures that no pressure or traction is delaying bone regeneration.
► A little depression ? Too much work, children, a busy schedule of activities ... we're all entitled to a little blues, right? So what to ask his osteo? Work on the liver to facilitate physical and psychological recovery, and avoid too much fatigue that favors these temporary depresses. On the other hand, he can not do anything in the event of depression.The limits of osteopathy
3 questions to Dr. Serge Toffaloni , doctor and osteopath *
► Can I go see an osteopath directly?
Only the doctor can make a medical diagnosis and treat organic diseases (those that are not a mechanical problem), so you should never see a non-doctor osteopath without a medical diagnosis was first posed. Moreover, the real professionals work together, in perfect complementarity!
► In which areas is it more effective than classical medicine?
Whenever there is joint, muscle or ligament pain! Thus, sport is a favorite area for osteopathy since muscles and joints are particularly stressed. However, if we do not correct an articular derangement following a trauma, for example, it is the joints above and below which are likely to suffer.
► Is it worth going to see it preventively, once a year?
Absolutely ! This preventive consultation makes it possible to check that all the joints move well and, therefore, that there is not a joint which wears prematurely, in silence, making the bed of osteoarthritis ...
* Author of Sport and Osteopathy, ed. Josette Lyon, € 14.90.
