National inquiry into MSK health inequalities

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance have launched the first ever national inquiry into MSK health inequalities. Their ambition is to reduce health inequalities ensuring everyone can access highest quality care, irrespective of where a person lives or their background.

Feb 2023

Taking Control of Your Pain

Time to take a different look at pain! 

Osteopath Simon Chafer’s new book entitled, ‘Taking Control of Your Pain – Managing Your Pain Effectively & Holistically’, aims to help people who suffer from long term pain to take back control of their lives by looking at the causes of pain from a different standpoint.

In his role as lecture at the London School of Osteopathy he has been sharing his expert knowledge regarding pain and the holistic techniques to provide pain relief based on scientific findings for many years. Now his new book aims to share this information in a highly accessible way with long term sufferers of conditions such as chronic low back pain and fibromyalgia, etc. 

The real-life examples in the book help to put into context what can be achieved to help manage pain. Whilst written with the patient in mind, the book is  a useful resource for students looking to further support their studies, particularly regarding the importance of patient centred care.

His book can be purchased online via Amazon

Read more

Osteopaths can now support DVLA medical applications

A change in the law now means that healthcare professions including osteopaths can complete DVLA medical questionnaires following notification of a medical condition that may affect an individual’s driving. Prior to the change to the Road Traffic Act only doctors were able to complete the forms.

The change aims to speed up elements of the medical licencing process and reducing the burden on doctors. The inclusion of osteopaths in the change also recognises the value of osteopaths and the extensive medical training that is required to become a registered osteopath in the UK.

July 2022

DVLA osteopath
Driving licence

Osteopaths may help to support medical licensing applications

Measures have been brought forward to change the law to allow more healthcare professionals such as specialist nurses, opticians and osteopaths to complete DVLA medical questionnaires. This action will help speed up the return of medical information needed to make a licensing decision following the pandemic and industrial action. All drivers, by law, must meet the medical standards for fitness to drive. Each year, the DVLA makes over 500,000 medical licensing decisions and to help make these decisions, the DVLA often requires questionnaires to be completed by a driver’s doctor or consultant. Presently, the Road Traffic Act 1988 only enables registered medical practitioners to complete the medical questionnaires which have contributed to many delays.

May 2022

Free Osteopathy Treatment

At the London School of Osteopathy teaching clinic in Bethnal Green senior students need to successfully complete a practical exam before they can join the General Osteopathic Council Register.

We are currently looking for people who are willing to act as patients for the exams on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th June.  These will be completely free of charge, and will consist of an examination and/or treatment and a free follow up appointment (not under exam conditions).

This practical exam involves students examining a patient focusing on one area of pain within the body.  Students will be observed by both an LSO clinic tutor and an external examiner. Conditions and problem areas that can benefit from osteopathy include: back pain, repetitive strain injuries, sports injuries, arthritic pain, sciatica and postural problems.

If you are over the age of 18 and are experiencing any pain please call us on 0208 983 7133 to see if you are a suitable patient. The appointment will last approximately 2 hours in total, the follow up appointment will take approximately 30 – 40 minutes.

FCCA poster
Osteoarthritis

Exercise guidelines for people with osteoarthritis

New draft guidelines for the NHS have said that exercise should play a part in the treatment of people suffering with wear-and-tear joint arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a common  condition with an estimated  7.4 million people in England over the age of 45 with it. Symptoms can range from being relatively mild to causing severe pain, stiffness and swelling that can make exercising difficult, but according to the new NICE guidelines, physical activity should be the main treatment – not painkillers.

If you suffer from osteoarthritis your osteopath as well has helping relieve pain through gentle hands on treatment can also provide a range of exercises suited to your particular symptoms.

May 2022

LSO baby clinic reopens

The London School of Osteopathy is delighted to announce that they have reopened their popular paediatric clinic that had been suspended due to Covid & the logistical constraints it imposed. Prior to March 2020 the baby clinic would see a dozen infants each week including newborns, and we sometimes work alongside midwives, health visitors and lactation consultants. Others were self-referrals from parents who had heard about the positive impact that osteopathy could have on the health and well-being of their babies and children.

Infants are treated with a range of  techniques including cranial osteopathy which is a gentle but effective hands-on treatment that can help babies at all stages of development.  These very gentle techniques are used to reduce areas of tension, enhance correct function and help the baby to relax. At the London School of Osteopathy babies, children and teenagers are treated by fully qualified osteopaths who have many years of experience in paediatrics with senior students observing and assisting in the appointment.

Read more

April 2022

Baby
International Healthcare Week

International Osteopathic Healthcare week 18- 24 April

International Healthcare Week (IOHW) brings together the global community of osteopaths and osteopathic physicians to celebrate our shared philosophy of mind-body-spirit, and to educate patients, the public, and regulatory authorities.  This year’s theme is: Moving, Soothing, Grooving.

The theme was chosen because:

  • OSTEOPATHY keeps you moving
  • Soothing touch of OSTEOPATHY
  • OSTEOPATHY helps you find your groove

Find out more about International Healthcare Week (IOHW) and the work of International Osteopathic Alliance  (OIA)

April 2022

iO report demonstrates quality in osteopathic practice

The iO has just published ‘Quality in Osteopathic Practice’, a report on patient experience, evidence, impact, training and regulation of osteopathic practice in the UK. The report collates the latest information and evidence relevant to osteopathic practice, supported by case studies on the impact of osteopaths across a number of different settings. Published with colleagues in the Health and Social care sector in mind, it provides a concise and evidence informed view of the profession and how osteopaths can potentially support wider health and social care services across the UK.

March 2021

Io Quality in Osteopathic Practice
weight

iO and PHE co-report to help tackle childhood obesity

The Institute of Osteopathy has co-produced a new consensus statement by Public Health England titled: “Supporting professionals to have healthier weight conversations”. The statement, first published in September, aims to overcome the nation’s widespread childhood obesity problem by facilitating the public health workforce to have healthier weight conversations.

The use of aerobic exercise as an effective treatment for depression

Research has shown that aerobic exercise is an effective treatment for depression.  A systematic review of 11 trials with 455 adult participants shows an encouraging addition to the evidence-base.

return of fabella

Snapshot summaries of clinical evidence

An LSO graduate, Jay Ruddock, has provided a snapshot summary regarding exercise therapy in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis.  Evidence suggests that exercise in general can help patients manage the pain of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Further key messages from this Snapshot Summary include:

  • Appropriate exercise can be prescribed irrespective of age, pain level, comorbidity and disability.
  • Catering to the patient’s specific needs and circumstances may improve adherence, which is important for improvements in outcomes.