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Welcome
Set in an attractive Georgian listed building, The Oldgate Osteopathic Clinic is located in the heart of the historic market town of Morpeth in Northumberland. We are a private multi-disciplinary practice providing a range of healthcare services. We work in partnership with conventional primary and secondary care. The Clinic is easy to find, being less than twenty five yards from the Morpeth clock tower and has excellent parking facilities within Grey’s Yard directly behind the Clinic and just around the corner at the Newmarket car parks. We are here to help and answer any queries, so should you be unsure whether our therapies are for you, browse our site, call in or call us on 01670 50 40 40.

Mission Statement
The goal of the Oldgate Osteopathic Clinic is to provide the highest standards of private healthcare services for people of all ages. We seek to achieve our goal through a dedicated and continued focus on quality, flexibility and professionalism in patient/client care. We are continually looking to advance the future of private healthcare, and to react quickly and flexibly to ongoing healthcare developments.

Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of manual medicine that focuses primarily on the musculo-skeletal system. Using many of the diagnostic procedures applied in conventional medical treatment, osteopaths seek to restore the optimal functioning of the body and its ability to heal without the use of drugs or surgery. An osteopathic consultation will typically involve three main steps: Evaluation; Diagnosis; & Treatment. Evaluation aims to identify the root cause of your symptoms and it may involve observation and testing according to biomechanical principles – looking at the inter-relationship between all the different parts of your body so as to understand your unique physical make-up. A diagnosis will consider whether any medical condition could be causing your symptoms. It will identify which physical and lifestyle factors – such as the way you drive, sit at a desk or carry a bag – could also be responsible for your symptoms. The diagnosis will additionally consider that you may be predisposed to your current symptoms by previous conditions, injuries or surgery. Osteopathic treatment will aim to relieve pain, improve function and promote healing. It will also aim to reduce the likelihood of problems recurring. Your treatment may involve the following:

Soft-tissue massage
Joint mobilization
Subtle connective-tissue and fluid balancing techniques
Postural and breathing exercises
Lymphatic drainage
Stretching

If at any time you would like to know any further details regarding the various approaches to treatment, please do not hesitate to ask your osteopath. Your treatment will be reinforced by guidance on exercise.

Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle form of osteopathy, based on the principle of structural integrity common to all osteopathic approaches. It seeks to work with the rhythmic flow of the cerebro-spinal fluid through the cranium (skull) and spine. It requires a refined sense of palpation (touch) to detect disruptions in what we call the “cranial rhythm” and subtle adjustments to release them. Some of these disruptions are apparent in the minute movements normally found at the sutural joints in the cranium. Others are found in the muscles at the base of the skull and the diaphragm. The cranial osteopath places their hands on the head, spine and feet and encourages a profound relaxation in the patient as their muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons let go of deeply held strain. This allows the “cranial rhythm” to re-establish itself and the body’s self-healing mechanisms to take effect. The cranial approach is particularly suitable for babies, children and mothers, but is also suitable for many patients as an adjunct to structural osteopathy

Acupuncture – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
According to traditional Chinese philosophy, our health is dependent on the body’s motivating energy – known as Qi – moving in a smooth and balanced way through a series of channels or meridians beneath the skin. Qi consists of equal and opposite qualities – Yin and Yang – and when these become unbalanced, illness may result. By inserting fine needles into the channels of energy, an acupuncturist can stimulate the body’s own healing response and help restore its natural balance. The flow of Qi can be disturbed by a number of factors. These include emotional states such as anxiety, stress, anger, fear or grief, poor nutrition, weather conditions, hereditary factors, infections, poisons and trauma.

Sports/Remedial Massage
Sports/remedial massage can be very effective at treating musculo-skeletal problems, including back pain, by using techniques which assist in:

Increasing flexibility and range of movement
Reducing muscle tension / spasm and breaking down muscle adhesions
Assisting in restoring tone to weakened muscles and partially compensating for lack of exercise or inactivity
Reduction in stress levels
Decreasing the pain associated with soft tissue injuries
Promoting the elimination of metabolic waste products and the absorption of nutrients by tissues
Stimulating blood circulation thereby aiding cell repair
Stimulating the immune system
Stimulating lymphatic drainage
Improvement in levels of performance and concentration

The massage therapist works the client’s body with his/her hands to determine the condition of the tissues and the likely sources of pain, and thus the correct form of treatment for the client. Used regularly massage can make sporting injuries less likely to occur by ensuring that the body is best prepared for the exertions expected of it. If injuries do occur it can reduce recovery time.Old injuries if left untreated have the potential to become chronic. As massage therapy treats holistically, not just an individual’s symptoms, most people can benefit from treatment.

Thai Massage
Traditional Thai Massage is a unique form of body therapy dating back thousands of years with its roots in India and influences from China. Traditional Thai Massage works with the energy of the body rather than solely the anatomical body, using Sen (energy) lines to assist in the restructuring of the musculo-skleletal framework and to balance the body’s energy. This is done through acupressure and reflexology techniques along the body’s Sen lines. It is also sometimes referred to as “passive yoga” as the massage also incorporates yoga style positions, gentle rocking, deep stretching and compression. Unlike most forms of massage, Traditional Thai Massage is performed on a mat on the floor rather than a raised plinth and the techniques are applied through the clothes without the use of oil or cream. Massaging in this way allows for many movements and procedures that are not practical or effective on a table. Thai Massage has great benefits for anyone who wants their body to achieve maximum performance and balanced energy levels.

Pilates
Pilates is a body conditioning method that works in a different way to other fitness techniques. Targeting the deep postural muscles, it works by building strength from the inside out. It helps to reshape your body which will become longer, leaner and more toned. The Body Control Pilates Method is based on the work of Joseph Pilates who began to develop his method around the time of the First World War before opening a studio in New York in the 1920s. Through using exercises that target specific deep muscles, Pilates helps to correct those poor postural habits that we develop through our daily lives and that in turn cause us aches and pains. It is particularly successful in helping to treat back pain, arthritis and many kinds of sports injuries and is recommended by practitioners in both complementary and conventional medicine. Pilates focuses on the core muscles, which include the tummy, making it a great way to tone and flatten your abdomen. In addition to helping strengthen and reshape your body, Pilates is also a great way to relieve stress and tension - giving the body and mind "time out" from today's busy world. "In ten sessions you'll feel the difference, in twenty you'll see the difference, and in thirty you'll have a new body": Joseph Pilates.

Podiatry
Feet provide the foundations for your entire body, supporting the complex structure above them. As we stand, walk or run on hard, flat surfaces they are forced repeatedly out of alignment which creates an imbalance in the body and ultimately leads to injury and pain. Podiatrists from the Body Alignment Centre operate within the Oldgate clinic and specialize in Biomechanics and Gait analysis. The role of the Podiatrist is to address pain in the feet, legs, knees, hips and back, looking in detail into the way your feet function during standing and walking. Using the very latest technology we will carry out a comprehensive assessment of your feet, body posture and alignment, performing video gait analysis or using a state of the art computerized foot scanner to assess foot pressures when we stand and walk. A Biomechanical Assessment will aim to find the exact cause of foot, ankle, knee or back pain. We also use a 3D optical foot laser scanner to capture an exact model of your feet and transmit the data via modem directly to the USA where carbon fibre Orthotics (specialized insoles) are manufactured using CAD CAM technology. The Foot Orthotics are designed to be worn inside your everyday footwear, supporting and aligning your feet in their optimum position, likewise improving posture, the way we stand, walk and run. This can be likened to having the tyres balanced on a car!

Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of complementary therapy working on the feet and sometimes other areas of the body to promote self-healing. This approach suggests that stresses and strains of modern life, coupled with injury and disease, often produce “imbalance” in our bodies. This imbalance is believed to block vital energy pathways, preventing the body from functioning effectively. Reflexology is seen as one way of helping restore and maintain the body’s natural equilibrium through healing. Through the skilled application of pressure in key points, tensions are eased, the free flow of energy is facilitated, and blockages are released, improving circulation and elimination.

Medical Herbalism
Herbal medicine is the use of whole plant preparations to treat illness and restore good health. It is an ancient art that has been practised for thousands of years but it is also a progressive and evolving approach to modern day health care supported by scientific research and clinical studies. In the Western European tradition (as distinct from Chinese or Ayurvedic herbal medicine) herbalists take a similar medical diagnostic approach to a doctor. At the same time, however, their focus is always on the person rather than the disease and they work with each individual to restore harmony and balance. This holistic approach has the potential to go far beyond symptom relief and to work at a deep level to address the root cause of health problems. As natural products, plant medicines are generally readily absorbed by the body and rarely cause unwanted side effects. In low doses many are safe and gentle enough for use with children.

Dietetics
Dietetics is the translation of the science of nutrition into everyday information about food, health and disease. A dietitian works with children and adults who are looking for a dietary assessment and advice on a range of clinical conditions. Good nutrition is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle but is often a neglected area in today's society. This neglect can lead to a number of diet related health problems including obesity and irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, specific medical conditions such as diabetes, raised cholesterol and food allergies may necessitate a change in diet in order to maximise health and manage symptoms. However, always remember that your diet is more than just nutrition. Food is to be enjoyed too.

What is the difference between a nutritionist and a dietitian?
Dietitians are qualified nutritionists who are also trained to apply their knowledge to the health and well-being of individuals and in the dietary management of disease. Whilst qualified nutritionists and dietitians may work in many similar areas dietitians tend to work more in clinical settings on a one to one basis with patients who require individual dietary manipulation to manage a clinical condition. A dietitian has to undergo a rigorous four year degree programme followed by a diploma in dietetics to achieve state registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) . Any individual can become a nutritionist after completeing a short course in nutrition and without the need for state registration.

Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychologists are trained in a number of talking therapies. They help people to understand why they are suffering with emotional problems. This can mean looking at the things they’ve been through in their earlier life, and also at the things that are happening currently. A psychologist will put together an individual map of your difficulties called a “formulation”, and this will form the basis of your treatment plan. Psychological treatment can involve looking at your thoughts, feeling and behaviour. You might learn new skills, or try to change existing patterns of behaviour that are not helpful to you.

Clinical Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis is a naturally induced state of relaxed concentration—a state of mind and body in which we communicate suggestions to our subconscious mind. This part of our mind influences what we think, how we feel, and the choices we make. There is no magic to achieving success with hypnosis. Almost anyone who chooses to can reach deep relaxation and redirected focus.

Speech & Language Therapy
Speech and Language Therapists work with children and adults who have difficulties with communication i.e. speech and/or language disorders, or with eating, drinking and swallowing. A speech disorder refers to a problem with the actual production of sounds, whereas a language disorder refers to a difficulty understanding or putting words together to communicate ideas.

Contact Us. 11 Oldgate, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1PY. T: 01670 504 040. F: 01670 504 018. E: enquiries@oldgateclinic.co.uk