Therapies at Glencairn House
Osteopathy – helping your wellbeing
A baby has to cope with the stresses of birth, a toddler may have frequent bumps and scrapes. The school child carries heavy school bags, whilst the student spends long hours hunched over the laptop peering at low level screens. Driving to work and long hours at a desk increase the pains begun as a student. Sports people push their bodies to the limit and over-stretch their ligaments and tendons. In old age our joints stiffen and our circulation slows. These are the types of activities that lead to long or short term discomfort and pain which an osteopath can alleviate.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy recognises the importance of the link between the structure of the human body and the way it functions. Osteopaths focus on the body’s skeleton and joint function along with the underlying muscles, soft tissue and internal organs.
Osteopaths consider each person as an individual. Utilising a highly developed sense of touch, they identify problem areas of the body. Using gentle stretching and mobilising techniques as well as manipulating joints, an osteopath works with the body to create the perfect conditions to facilitate the healing process.
Treatment usually consists of a combination of soft-tissue releasing techniques, and some specific adjustments affecting joints and soft-tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments). Advice can also be given on self-help treatments.
Don’t let pain hold you back
On your first visit, a full medical case history will be taken. An examination will be carried out (you may be asked to remove some clothing for this) and you may then be asked to perform a few simple movements so the Osteopath can assess the problem.
The Osteopath will use their highly developed sense of touch called palpation to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain within your body. They will make a diagnosis and discuss it with you and if osteopathic treatment is suitable it will be offered to you. Treatment will be aimed at helping to restore normal joint stability and function.
Examination and diagnosis
Osteopaths usually start any treatment by releasing and relaxing muscles and stretching stiff joints, using gentle massage techniques, rhythmic joint movements and muscle release techniques. The Osteopath may also carry out manipulation using short, quick movements to spinal joints. Other techniques may also be used, depending on your problem.
Treatments usually last up to half an hour, and normally between 2 and 6 sessions are required. Many patients decide that they would like to have periodic preventative treatments to avoid recurring problems.
More details are available from the Osteopathic Association here.
Alex Gibbs DO
I am an Osteopath and Clinic Director at Glencairn House. Born locally I have two sons and am active in the local community. Apart from the Clinic I have a small farm breeding Dorset Down sheep.
After school in Somerset I attended the British School of Osteopathy in London for four enjoyable years graduating in 1982. From there I returned to the West Country starting a clinic from my home (more by popular demand than design) whilst working in a very busy Clinic in Bath. The eight years spent at Monmouth Street were an invaluable ‘apprenticeship’, working long hours and seeing many differing patients. I developed an interest in sports medicine, looking after the Speedwell volleyball team in Bristol where I was the official sports therapist travelling on their international tours, and on occasion giving treatment to the largely amateur Bath rugby team, the famous Bath and England back row, soon to become professional.
During this time from 1984-89 I served as Secretary and then Chairman of The Western Counties Society of Osteopaths and remain an active member. I am the regional osteopathic education officer for this region interviewing and advising prospective students.
I was instrumental in joining together Glencairn Physiotherapy and Chiropody with the Complimentary Clinic to form the present Glencairn House Clinic.
Although using many different techniques over the years, I remain a traditional osteopath. I am particularly interested in understanding sports injuries but equally those from dance and other forms of physical expression. I enjoy helping with postural development of young adults, and in recent years positional release techniques (strain and counterstrain). By chance discussion I was fortunate to meet Doug Longdon, probably the UK – if not world leading – expert in these techniques and, after some tutoring by him, now incorporate the-e gentle techniques, into daily practice.
Despite advancing years, I am still interested in playing sport of all kinds and still play cricket for the local village, occasionally mixed hockey, golf and particularly enjoy skiing when possible. In 2005 I ran the London Marathon for the UK Brain Tumour Society. I also particularly enjoy theatre and cinema, and supporting local musicians and artists.
Michael Brown MOst
Michael holds a Master of Osteopathy (MOst) degree with Distinction from Oxford Brookes University and is also a qualified Acupuncturist – many of his patients benefit from a combined approach. He has practised in a range of medical settings, including GP surgeries, and has forged close connections with a range of medial disciplines. Connections with physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy have allowed Michael to develop a diverse range of knowledge, skills and approaches; which means he is able to help a wide range of people. Michael specialises in helping people with neck pain, low back pain, shoulder pain and headaches. He uses a combination of massage, joint mobilisation and joint manipulation, as well as highly subtle and gentle manual techniques. Michael strives to enable and motivate patients to make appropriate, simple changes to their daily routine, with a view to improving their symptoms and wellbeing. As appropriate, Michael is also able to draw on his knowledge of exercise science and rehabilitation, which allows him to guide patients through progressive exercise rehabilitation programmes – an approach commonly associated with physiotherapy. Osteopathy provides an opportunity to meet interesting people, whilst making a real difference to peoples’ lives – something that gives Michael a great deal of satisfaction.
Frances Aylen Osteopath
I am an experienced osteopath who graduated from the British School of Osteopathy (B.S.O) in 1999. I have been drawn to body work from an early age. My first ‘patients’ were friends from primary and secondary school who would ask me for massage and advice for various aches and pains. My interest in osteopathy was sparked by receiving a course of treatment in my teens and being fascinated by the complex and holistic nature of the diagnosis and also in the enjoyable aspect of the treatment.
I went on to study English at Oxford University and then became a journalist for The Observer Magazine. However, osteopathy was always in the back of my mind, so I ended up completing a second 4-year honours degree at the British School of Osteopathy. I graduated in 1999 and have been following my passion since.
After completing my training I’ve worked at a number of busy practices both in Berkshire and London and went on to set up two of my own, first in Paddington and then in Belgravia, but I’ve left them behind for a new life in Dorset.
I’ve been teaching at the British School of Osteopathy on the postgraduate Cranial Osteopathy diploma courses since 2002. I continue to develop my skills both for Structural and Cranial Osteopathy and Paediatric Osteopathy with over fourteen post-graduate diplomas.
I love treating all age groups including adults who suffer from injuries related to work. I treat arthritic pain, general and acute back and neck pain, headaches arising from neck pain, circulatory and digestive problems, sciatica, muscle spasms, inability to relax, minor sports injuries, tensions, trauma, chronic pain, problems that occur after childbirth and pelvic and abdominal pain. I also treat babies and children.
I’m married with two young daughters and live near Gillingham Dorset. I like dancing, swimming and I dabble in Yoga.
Suzanna Fletcher Osteopath
Since graduating from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London in 2004, Suzanna has practised in clinics with different specialities in the UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia and Singapore. She returned to the UK in 2018 and has settled locally with her husband and three children.
Suzanna uses a combination of osteopathic techniques such as massage, mobilisation, joint manipulation and very gentle manual techniques, to treat patients of all ages with neck & back pain, headaches, sports injuries and a wide variety of musculoskeletal problems arising from posture, work strain, trauma and pre and postnatal changes. She is also qualified and experienced in dry needling/medical acupuncture, which she often finds beneficial as part of her treatments.
Suzanna is interested in naturopathy and nutrition and is qualified in rehab Pilates, using both mat and studio equipment 1:1 to help patients regain stability, mobility and strength after injury and often bridging the gap from hands on manual treatment and return to group exercise classes.
She strongly believes in the importance of using individual exercise, postural and other holistic lifestyle advice alongside osteopathic manual techniques in order to enable people to make sustainable improvements to both reduce symptoms and improve mobility, strength and general health.
