Osteopaths treat muscle and joint pain anywhere in the body using a range of specialised hands-on techniques, including massage, joint manipulation, trigger-point therapy, stretching and exercise prescription. We adopt a holistic approach, applying the principle that a person's well-being depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues working smoothly together. We treat the whole body and not just the painful area, tackling the cause and not just the symptoms, and our overall aim is to restore the optimal functioning of the body and alleviate pain.

Sports massage is a deep tissue treatment which increases blood flow and eases tension and knots within muscles helping them to function optimally. It's particularly useful for sports people and fitness enthusiasts who like to push their bodies hard or for helping with preparation for a sporting event such as a marathon. Sports massage can help with recovery, maximise fitness gains and prevent injury before it begins. Our patients often like to book a block of sports massage treatments which they incorporate as part of their training plan.

Modern medical acupuncture, also known as dry needling or Western acupuncture, is specifically used for the treatment of muscle and joint pain.

The needles are gently inserted into muscle trigger points - the tender nodules or knots within your muscle. Modern medical acupuncture is thought to work in a number of different ways, including by:

- Increasing blood flow locally to the inserted needle.
- Decreasing muscle tension.
- Decreasing substance p, a neurotransmitter associated with inflammation and the pain process.
- Increasing the release of endorphins that block pain signals.
- Modulating pain, both at a spinal cord level and within the brain.
- Modern medical acupuncture is particularly effective when used in conjunction with osteopathy or sports massage.

Diagnostic Ultrasound & Ultrasound-Guided Injections in MSK

Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound is a real-time imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissues, bones, and joints. It's become an essential tool in diagnosing and treating MSK conditions.

Diagnostic Ultrasound allows clinicians to examine muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joint spaces in detail. It's particularly useful for detecting tears, inflammation, fluid collections, nerve entrapments, and other structural abnormalities. Unlike MRI or X-ray, ultrasound is dynamic—meaning structures can be assessed during movement, and it can be performed quickly at the bedside or in clinic.

Ultrasound-Guided Injections use real-time imaging to precisely deliver therapeutic medications (such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-rich plasma) directly into affected areas like inflamed tendons, bursae, or joints. The visual guidance ensures accurate needle placement, improving treatment effectiveness and reducing the risk of complications compared to landmark-based "blind" injections.