Osteopath
Mondays 8:30am - 1:30pm
Fridays 8:30am - 1:30pm
Rachel qualified with a Masters Degree in Osteopathy from the European School of Osteopathy, following a long career as a social worker and Practice Educator in London. She is registered with the General Osteopathic Council.
In addition to osteopathy she is qualified in sports massage and remedial therapy, dry needling (western medical acupuncture), kinesiology taping, and Pilates teaching.
Rachel's whole career has centred around face to face interactions with people, and this has led to her to instinctively adopt a whole person - approach with patients, known as the biopsychosocial model. She works on what the body needs and in partnership with people she treats to make joint decisions on treatment styles.
Rachel enjoys treating people at all stages in life, especially women during pregnancy and postnatally, women going through menopause, as well as older people. The youngest patient in clinic has been two weeks old and her eldest 97 years old!
Rachel uses a variety of techniques including :
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Mobilisation of joints
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Soft tissue techniques
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Visceral techniques (mobilisation of organs e.g. in treatment of reflux )
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Cranial techniques.
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Manipulations/adjustments.
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Dry needling (western medical acupuncture)
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Pilates
Pregnancy and Post Natal Osteopathy
Rachel enjoys treating pregnant and post natal women, who present with a variety of complaints including pelvic girdle pain, lower back pain as well as other pregnancy related niggles. She creates a safe and relaxed environment whilst treating. Treatment can be given using specialist pregnancy cushions to allow women to lay on their front (many say this in itself is the highlight of their treatment !), side laying and seated. Modesty will be maintained at all times either with clothing or gowns.
Baby and Children's osteopathy
Rachel has a special interest in treating children of all ages in particular babies and younger children. Osteopathy might be able to help with-
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tongue tie
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reflux
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feeding issues
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unsettle babies
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sleep issues
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effects of a difficult birth
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torticollis and head preference.
FAQ:
Q- What age do I treat?
A- From newborn onwards.
Q- Will it be uncomfortable for my baby?
A-Baby in child osteopathy is very gentle, and if there's any sign your baby is unhappy I stop or adjust my techniques. As the parent you are in control and I will be guided by you.
Treatment can be done with myself holding baby, parents holding baby, when baby is feeding, or sometimes laying on the treatment couch on a fluffy blanket.
Q- What does a neonatal check involve ?
A- I will take a full history of the pregnancy and delivery, a thorough examination including reflexes, feet and hip position, and head shape. If needed I also assess the tongue
Q- Will my baby or child need to be undressed?
A- For the initial assessment is preferable to be able to see the baby's body (nappies are kept on). However, some babies don't like being without clothes so often initial observation clothes can be put back on to make your baby feel more settled. Young children tend to not want to get undressed, so we work on an individual basis, again as a parent you are in charge.
Visceral Osteopathy
Did you know visceral osteopathy even exists? In my case history taking many patients explain they have issues with reflux and indigestion, bowels, period pain, post surgery for example.
An abdominal assessment is carried out and gentle mobilisation can relieve certain symptoms.
Scar work
Patients come to clinic asking for specific scar work, ie a caesarean section but often the presenting complaint can come from the effects of scar tissue, either through an accident or surgery.
The techniques are very gently and there can be an emotional response to the scar, and having the scar treated . Rachel is able to hold that space to allow the person to talk if they wish, cry as the scar and emotion releases. If appropriate, Rachel will discuss with you the possibility of talking therapy with a colleague within the clinic.
In her spare time Rachel enjoys Pilates, yoga, swimming, reading and dabbling with creative activities. She has two teenage children and a beautiful cockapoo called Sherbert.