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The differences between Structural Osteopathy, Cranial Osteopathy and Biodynamic Osteopathy

If you are new to osteopathy, you might be curious about the different ways Osteopathic Medicine can help you recover from illness or injury.Osteopathy was developed by Surgeon Dr Andrew Taylor Still in the late 1800’s in America and has grown globally to encompass Osteopathic Universities, Osteopathic Hospitals and has helped millions of people worldwide to recover from illness and injury.  There are a range of different Osteopathic approaches, from the very gentle to the more vigorous. ...

Massage Therapy at City Osteopaths Healthcare

In our fast-paced world, where stress and tension seem ever-present, finding effective ways to relax and rejuvenate is essential. Among time-honoured practices celebrated for their holistic benefits, massage therapy stands out as a beacon of wellness. Beyond its reputation for inducing relaxation, massage therapy offers a multitude of benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Let's explore the remarkable benefits that make massage therapy an invaluable addition to any wellness routine.Ma...

Acupuncture for Pregnancy

ACUPUNCTURE IN WELLINGTON FOR PREGNANCY, BREECH BABIES, BIRTH PREPARATION, MASTITIS AND POSTNATAL DEPRESSIONAt City Osteopaths in Wellington, our acupuncturists train for four years full time to receive a Bachelor of Science degree and have many years of experience in treating pregnant women. ​Midwives may learn over a few weekends some simple acupuncture points to effectively help women prepare for labour, and to support them during labour. She says that midwives noted labour time was sh...

Breathing Effectively

WHENEVER I MENTION BREATHING TO MY CLIENTS, THE REPLY IS USUALLY ALONG THE LINES OF “BREATHING? DON’T WE ALL KNOW HOW TO DO THAT ALREADY?”Of course, we all breathe, but how we breathe is the interesting part. Do you breathe with your ribcage moving outwards, to the sides and back? Or do you breathe by moving your ribcage upwards, using your neck and shoulder muscles to raise it?  ​​During inspiration, when we breath in, our ribcage must expand to make space for the ...

Why should I stretch

Although we all consider exercise to be a key component of a healthy lifestyle, regular stretching is often overlooked and is not always integrated into our exercise routine. Whether we’re exercising regularly or not, it is important to stretch for both our physical and mental health. Many people consider stretching to be time consuming and so it’s either done very briefly, or not at all. Now that we are currently in isolation, people have more time to consider their physical and mental well...

Help with your Running Injuries

Summer is around the corner and many Wellingtonians are back on the road, getting the miles under their belts.  Unfortunately, some keen runners are dogged by injuries, that either limit their progress or stop them running completely.   In some unfortunate cases, these running related injuries can affect you when you are simply walking, or going about your daily lives.  ...

Hip Mobility Stretch

Short video, demonstrating a simple and effective hip mobility stretch, to help you get the most out of running and reduce the chances of injury.Mobility is an essential component in all sports. Creating mobility through stretching is essential and the most effective stretches are those that look, in the whole or part like the sport that you are preparing for. Notice how the hip stretch in the video is performed in a running type posture and creates the hip movements that will carry over into im...

Calf Stretches

3D Functional Calf Stretch VideoYou may be doing the type of calf stretch where you hang your heels off the edge of a curb? If so, you may want to try this calf stretch instead, which creates mobility that will carry over into your running or walking gait. Get the most out of the 3D calf stretch, by doing it before the 3D hip stretch. All you runners and walkers out there, give it a go!...

Alexander Technique

The Alexander Technique helps you to find the natural balance of your body to move well and avoid injury. Suryagita, our certified Alexander Technique teacher who also specialises in voice coaching, will help you to ease tension and improve postural patterns which cause back/neck pain and OOS, to find a level of relaxation within. Her gentle hands-on guidance will eliminate muscular tension, which in turn will give you a healthier, more resilient body which is less prone to injury.&nbs...

Coping with Stressful Times

ACUPUNCTURE IS AVAILABLE IN WELLINGTON FOR COPING WITH STRESSFUL TIMES, ESPECIALLY EARTHQUAKES OR NATURAL DISASTERS(Written 2016)In light of recent events, I thought I would shed light on the ways Acupuncture can offer trauma support and more specifically, focus on post-Earthquake trauma.It has been shown over the past week since the 7.8 quake, that alcohol and tobacco sales have more than doubled. This could be purely a coincidence but is more likely an immediate stress response!In a crisis we ...

Feel Good at Christmas

WANT TO FEEL REALLY GOOD FOR CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR? (WITHOUT NEEDING ALCOHOL!)In this day and age, time is precious and so is our health.​Many more people are realising the downsides of excessive alcohol or sugar intake to try to mask the feelings of stress and are looking for  healthy options to help them relax and feel good. Gentle hands on treatment has been shown to be very effective in improving the parasympathetic nervous system response (ie the vagus nerve) and reducing the 'frigh...

Long Covid

What to do if you have long covid and how to recoverLONG COVID SYMPTOMS CAN VARY DEPENDING ON THE PERSON AND THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM.​ But most sufferers describe feeling overtired and generally unwell. You may also have a combination of: Lack of concentrationHeadachesStiff joints/joint painConfusionBrain fogSwollen lymph nodesSore throatChest tightness or pain​Shortness of breathDizzinessHeart palpationsDepression and anxietyFeeling sick , loss of appetite, stomach achesRashesInsomnia or d...

Muscle Injuries

Muscle Injuries and how to assist healing and recovery.Have you ever wondered what happens in your body after an injury? In this article we’ll talk about tissue healing in general and look at muscle injuries, their healing and what you can do to aid the healing process in more detail. ...

Ligament Injuries and their healing

Have you ever wondered what happens in your body after an injury? In this article we’ll talk about tissue healing in general and look at ligament injuries, their healing and what you can do to aid the healing process in more detail. ...

Bone Injuries and their Healing

Bone injuries and fractures can be classified in many different ways, based on the way the bone broke or why it broke. Following are some commonly used terms that might be good to know to understand your own injury.Fracture is defined as cracking or breaking of a hard object, in this case the bone. That is, fracture can be either partial or full thickness rendering the bone in two (or more) pieces. Pathologic fracture means that the bone breaks in an area that has been weakened by...

Stress- The omnipresent bane of our existance

STRESS - THE OMNIPRESENT BANE OF OUR EXISTENCE. ​​ Most people would say they have it, though not everybody realises how much it affects their life. This article will cover some of the physical aspects of stress, how it affects our body and mind and what you can do about it. Adrenaline is secreted rapidly, and the effect lasts only a short while. ​Cortisol, on the other hand, is secreted more slowly but the effect lasts longer. These hormones help us to fight or run awa...

Vagus Nerve Stimulation

The vagus nerve is your body’s longest nerve, and the biggest parasympathetic nerve in your body.  ​The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the 'rest and digest' functions in your body. The vagus nerve is the tenth cranial nerve, and runs from your skull down both sides of the neck and chest to your abdomen and intestines.The word vagus stems from a latin word for wanderer, which describes the nature of the vagus nerve well, since it wanders to most organs on its way....

Circadian Rhythm - 1

The vast majority of what is happening in living cells and organisms is not random or haphazard but undergoes specific fluctuations throughout the day or 24 hours. Genes switching on and off, hormone secretion, metabolism, cell and DNA repair, blood clotting, immune function, digestion, physical performance, mood and mental acuity etc. – everything is governed by the circadian rhythm. It is aligned with the light and dark cycle that our planet experiences every 24 hours or so. Having a strong,...

Circadian Rhythm

We previously looked at how light affects our circadian clock and explored ways to support a healthy circadian rhythm using light and lighting (circadian-rhythm-why-when-matters.html). Food is the other main environmental cue that resets our rhythm through the peripheral clocks, for example in the liver, pancreas and gut.Just like we have extended the day with artificial lighting, food is also now available around the clock. But our digestive and metabolic machinery was never designed to deal wi...

Why should I stretch

WHY SHOULD I STRETCH? THE IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF REGULAR STRETCHING. Although we all consider exercise to be a key component of a healthy lifestyle, regular stretching is often overlooked and is not always integrated into our exercise routine. Whether we’re exercising regularly or not, it is important to stretch for both our physical and mental health. Many people consider stretching to be time consuming and so it’s either done very briefly, or not at all. Now that we are currently ...

Why do my joints click?

WHY DO MY JOINTS CLICK? CAN I BE CLICK FREE AND PAIN FREE? Is it good to click my own back and/or neck?  If I click often, will the tightness in my back get worse over time?  Do you like to click your own neck or back with a twist or side bend, as it gives you temporary relief of a tight or sore back or neck?  Do you find find that ‘relief window’ is reducing and you are clicking more and more often to get out of pain or tightness? Have you wondered why this is?...

Want to know what causes headaches?

Headaches and migraines are two of the most common ailments in the world, with up to 80% of the population having at least one headache per year. They can widely vary in their type and intensity, meaning that some may rarely suffer at all, however there are individuals who suffer so much that it begins to take a toll on their everyday life, even causing them to take time off work or cancel their social plans. There are various types of headaches that all have different causes. These include...

Sore Back

Did you know that 60-80% of the general population will suffer back pain at some time in their lives? The incidence is highest in the 45-54 years old age group.  Would you like to know more about the causes of back pain? Things that contribute to the likelihood of back pain are:Poor health and nutrition Increasing Age Marked scoliosis Reduced fitness Loss of hamstring flexibility Smoking Psychological problems including Tension, Stress, Anxiety, Fear, Resentment and Depression Drug abuse He...

Better Health and Energy - Case Study

Myeloma Progression Stalls in the Face of Dietary Changes and Increased Oxygen to the Body’s Cells. John, now 68 years of age, was first suspected of having a blood abnormality in June 2015 after a pre-op blood test, for a hip replacement. John says “The only symptoms, which had been appearing for approximately 18 months were small subcutaneous haemorrhages, randomly appearing around my neck and eyes. I only noticed these when looking in the mirror or when my wife pointed them out. I thought...

Effective Accupuncture

OOS/ Occupation Overuse Syndrome or RSI/Repetitive Strain Injury seem to be one of the plagues of the 21st century; with office workers spending even more time behind desks, computer screens, in office chairs and utilising a mouse. Studies show we are spending up to 8 hours a day in this kind of environment and unfortunately the body 'evolutionary wise' hasn't caught up!​That pain, tingling/ numbness, burning sensation or loss of strength is a sign your forearms, wrists, hands, joints are not ...