Orchard Clinic Amersham

Recommend a friend and they get £10 off their first treatment and you will also get £10 off your next treatment.

PLEASE NOTE THIS OFFER IS ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL THE END OF JUNE

'We Always Use' is a great website for sharing recommendations with your friends.

You can find us there at http://www.wealwaysuse.com/orchardclinic

The Orchard Clinic was established in 1954 by Miss Cockbain a pioneering Osteopath and has been going strong ever since. We currently have 4 Osteopaths working at the Clinic .To get a better understanding of Osteopathy we have included the General Council of Osteopaths GOsC explanation.

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body, and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together

To an osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.

Regulation of osteopathy

All osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). It is against the law for anyone to call themselves an osteopath unless they are registered with the GOsC, which sets and promotes high standards of competency, conduct and safety. See Osteopathy in practice to learn more about the profession and use the Register to find a local osteopath.

Who and what do osteopaths treat?

Osteopaths’ patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children and sports people. Patients seek treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including back pain, repetitive strain injury, changes to posture in pregnancy, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries.

Visiting an osteopath

On this page we explain what happens when you visit an osteopath, what a treatment is likely to cost and how to find a local osteopath.

Osteopaths consider each person as an individual. On your first visit the osteopath will spend time taking a detailed medical history, including information about your lifestyle and diet. You will normally be asked to undress to your underwear and perform a series of simple movements.

Osteopaths use their hands to identify abnormalities in the structure and function of a body, and to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain. By this means, your osteopath will make a full diagnosis and discuss with you the most appropriate treatment plan, estimating the likely number of sessions needed to treat your condition effectively.

Then they work with your body’s ability to heal itself. They will usually start any treatment by releasing and relaxing muscles and stretching stiff joints, using gentle massage and rhythmic joint movements. The particular range of techniques your osteopath uses will depend on your problem.

The first treatment generally lasts about 45 minutes (to allow for case history taking and diagnosis) and subsequent treatments tend to last around half an hour. Osteopaths also offer added exercises and health advice, to help reduce the symptoms and improve your health and quality of life.

The osteopath should make you feel at ease during your consultation and explain everything that is happening. Do ask questions at any time if you are unsure or have any concerns.

How much does it cost?

Most people visit an osteopath as a private patient and pay for their treatment. Fees can depend on the osteopath’s experience and the location of the practice, but typically range from £35 to £50 for a 30-minute session.

If you have private health insurance it may be possible to claim for your treatment. You will need to ask your insurance company about the available level of cover and whether you need to be referred by your GP or a specialist.
All the osteopathic training schools have clinics attached, where students train, supervised by qualified osteopaths. Patients can get treatment there at reduced rates. See our list of training schools to find out whether there is a training school clinic near you

Is referral from a doctor necessary?

Most patients 'self refer' to an osteopath for treatment. You can use the Statutory Register of Osteopaths on this website to find local osteopaths.

Although referral by a GP is not necessary, patients are encouraged to keep both their GP and osteopath fully informed, so that their medical records are current and complete and the patient receives the best possible care from both healthcare practitioners. Osteopaths are skilled in diagnostic techniques and trained to identify when a patient needs to be referred to a GP.

Standards of training & practice
This page tells you about the standards osteopaths must meet during their training, their practice and their continuing professional development.

Training

All osteopaths practising in the UK have completed rigorous training. Students of osteopathy follow a four or five-year degree course, during which they study anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics. In addition they undergo a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical training. Qualification generally takes the form of a bachelor’s degree in osteopathy – a BSc(Hons), BOst or BOstMed – or a masters degree in osteopathy (MOst).

From training to practice: how prepared are students of osteopathy?
As part of our statutory duty to promote high standards of education we have commissioned a research project to help us understand how prepared graduates are for practice. This will help us to understand if further support is required for osteopaths as they make the transition from student to practitioner to ensure continually high standards of care for patients.

The research is being undertaken by Professor Della Freeth and team from Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London who have experience of undertaking similar work for other registered healthcare professionals. For further information see The Osteopath, December 2010/January 2011, p.11.

Standards of practice

The standards of competence expected from an osteopath in their practice are outlined in the document Standard 2000 - Standard of Proficiency.

Osteopaths must also comply with a code of ethics, the osteopathic Code of Practice.

We are currently revising the Code of Practice and Standard 2000 - Standard of Proficiency. Initial consultations on these were held in 2009. Following that it was decided to bring together the revised Code and standards and we consulted on these between September and November 2010.

The consultation responses have been analysed and reported on by our independent consultants, Hewell Taylor Freed & Associates (HTF). A working group, comprising three osteopath and three lay members of Council, has been establised to consider the consultation report in detail and oversee any necessary revisions to the proposed Osteopathic Practice Standards. It is expected that the final proposed Osteopathic Practice Standards will be considered by Council in April and be published in summer 2011. They would then take effect from summer 2012.

Continuing Professional Development

We set the standards of osteopathic education, and require qualified osteopaths to update their training throughout their working lives, a process known as Continuing Professional Development.

Revalidation

We are currently developing a scheme for revalidating our registrants, as all healthcare regulators are required to do by the Government. Revalidation is the process by which osteopaths will have to demonstrate to us that they are up to date and fit to practise, and meet the relevant professional standards. For further information visit our Revalidation page.

Other requirements for practice

As well as completing the necessary training, osteopaths must also prove themselves to be in good health and of good character, and have professional indemnity insurance cover.

There may be occasions when a UK osteopath graduate could have their registration application reconsidered on the grounds of conduct or health. Our statement on the relationship between recognised qualifications and registration outlines the limited circumstances in which this might happen. For further information about this, see How to register - UK qualified

Copyright acknowledgment to the GOC General Council of Osteopaths the regulating Body.

Theoretically, it’s for everyone.

Alexander Technique lessons are available at The Orchard Clinic alternate Wednesdays 2am -6pm and Thursdays 8.30-5.00pm. Please feel free to call me for more information or an informal chat about how the Technique can help you.
Janey Goodearl MSTAT

The majority of people taking up the AT do so initially because of a physical problem that has come to light, e.g. osteo-arthritis, lower back or neck trouble or other joint pains, or work-related repetitive strain injury problems. Others take it up because of more obviously stress-related problems such as anxiety, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome or migraines. And a smaller number of particularly self-aware people - take it up without the prompting of any obvious physical problems, because they understand that the AT is a powerful key to getting much more out of life, both physically and mentally. Nobody is too old or too young (or too well!) to benefit from the AT. Musicians, actors and ballet dancers & athletes have particularly severe demands made upon their posture and physical co-ordination and people from these professions have always ranked high among the numbers learning the AT.
I particularly recommend the people taking lessons learn to return to a 'balanced state of rest' a good alignment in-between lessons, this goes a long way to reducing the load put upon their bodies by the stresses and tensions of today’s lifestyle. Try this for yourself, Alexander Technique and the Balanced Resting State.
This is an invaluable practice that encourages the changes that the Alexander Technique aims to promote.

The Basic Position

Take your time to come to lying on your back on a firm but comfortable surface, as you either roll back down or roll over to allow your head to come to rest on the a couple of paperback books, check they are not in contact with the back of your neck. The amount of books varies from person to person and depends upon many factors, e.g. the length of your neck, the curvature of your spine, size of your skull. If you are unsure of the amount of books check that your head is not tilted backwards with your chin higher than your forehead, if the books are too high your chin will feel tucked in, neither of these will encourage the release of muscular tension in the neck, trying swallowing to see if it feels comfortable for you.

Have your knees bent, pointing towards the ceiling, far enough apart so that they are comfortable and sit easily neither falling apart or together, about shoulder width is a good distance, ensure you are using the minimum effort.

Now place your arms, with the elbows pointing away from your body and the hands resting lightly on your abdomen, you can use your hands to notice you breathing, allow the abdomen to expand and contract with each breath.

Weight bearing points
Ideally your weight should be distributed between the following points, you can start to become aware of them.
The back of your head, all 5/6kgs of it/Your shoulder blades/Back rim of your pelvis, a little below your waist/Your feet, including your heels at the back and the two pads behind your big and little toes.

Thinking

Now you are ready to apply your thoughts to releasing tension throughout your body. Just have the thought that you allow your neck to release, imagine the strong muscles that support your head lengthening, this in turn initiates the release and lengthening of the whole spine. As your spine lengthens your back will naturally broaden and come into greater contact with the floor.

Your knees should be pointing up towards the ceiling, again just have the thought without trying to do anything, that your thigh muscles release from the hips to the knees and the calf muscles release from the knees to the ankles.

In summary, think neck release, back to lengthen and widen and knees release towards the ceiling. Try to allow the release to happen rather than trying to fix anything.

Any questions?

Q. How often should I do this and for how long?
Between 10 – 20 minutes once or twice a day or for shorter more frequent spells if your day is sedentary.
Q. Can I do this lying on my bed or sofa?
Not with the same usefulness. A firm surface supports your body and allows you to notice a response that a soft one does not.
Q. How do I avoid falling asleep or my mind wandering?
If you notice you mind wandering off, gently bring your attention back to your body and the thinking as described above. Notice the weight bearing parts, the back of your head, shoulders, back rim of your pelvis and feet.
Q. Is this similar to yoga relaxation or meditation?
Not exactly, the aim is not to sink into the heaviness of total relaxation but remain ‘active’ in your thinking promoting a redistribution of muscle tone.

To reap the benefits of Semi Supine it is best done on a regular basis and the effects then become cumulative.
• Allows complete rest of the body
• Reinforces a good relationship between head, neck and back
• Plumps up the cushioning discs in between the spine
• You can practise releasing muscle tension through thinking
• Brings mind and body together

Remember there are no rules with Alexander Technique only observations, this is a balanced resting state that you can use to help you to release tension and learn to think about YOU.

Warning : semi supine can seriously improve your health!

1. It increases the blood and lymphatic circulation which assist with the clearing away of body toxins.
2. Stimulates the adrenal glands as well as the spinal nerves, calming the nervous system.
3. Parasympathetic system kicks in, putting the body in the state where it repairs itself.
4. Calms irritation and inflammation in the body.
5. Helps coordinate the neuromuscular system, helping the body to essentially move fluidly, with ease and flexibility.
6. Soothing “in-co-ordinations” or things that could not be processed (because of some kind of trauma experienced) relieving the person of a tension that they had been carrying daily.
7. Gives the body a relaxation response.
8. Use of Essential Oils with massage work to regulate, balance and maintain your entire being by working with nature, and not against it.
9. Helps to boost a depleted immune system which in turn promotes a healthy body.
10. Lessening of stress and anxiety.

I have been in this work for nearly 20 years, and have worked at the Orchard Clinic 11 years. Give your body the time it needs in either of these therapies and you will be on your way to a happier, healthy life.
David Crosser

Barbara Leon - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist wpf/The FPC - PAP Section. BPC Registered.

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy aims to help people understand and change complex, deep-seated and often unconsciously based emotional and relationship problems; thereby reducing symptoms and alleviating distress. It is a means by which patients understand and can resolve their problems by increasing awareness of their inner world and its influence over relationships both past and present. The relationship with the therapist is a crucial element in the therapy. The therapist offers a confidential setting which facilitates a process where unconscious patterns of the patient’s inner world become reflected in his or her relationship with the therapist (transference). This process helps patients gradually to identify these patterns and, in becoming conscious of them, to develop the capacity to understand and change them.

Barbara Leon:

I trained first as a psychodynamic counsellor and qualified in 1991 and worked for 9 years subsequently at the (Westminster Pastoral Foundation) as a staff counsellor. I went on to train a further 4 years as a psychoanalytic psychotherapist - again at the Westminster Pastoral Foundation (wpf/FPC), qualifying in 1997. Since when I have worked as supervisor and presented workshops as well as worked from once to three and four times weekly with many and diverse patients and difficulties.

Drivers who fail to wear seatbelts correctly are at risk of injury according to the British Osteopathic Association (BOA). While most people are fully aware that wearing a seatbelt saves lives, the majority are not aware that the way they sit in a car plays a huge part in their personal safety.