Chronic Pain: 6 Unexpected Ways Osteopathy Can Help

Do you live in Ottawa and wonder whether Osteopathy can help with chronic pain?

Then you are in the right place.

Today I will talk about six unexpected ways Osteopathy can help by looking at the root causes.

Even better, I will give you tips you can try at home to help with your long-term pain.

Let me start by explaining what factors osteopaths consider when diagnosing and treating the root cause of chronic pain.

Factors I Consider When Diagnosing The Root Cause Of Chronic Pain.

When diagnosing the root cause of chronic pain, I look at six main factors:

1. Structural issues
2. Nutrional Deficiencies
3. Current Emotional Stressors
4. Past Emotional Trauma
5. Past Physical Trauma
6. Inflammation

Let’s start with how I investigate and correct structural issues.

Structural Issues

Structural issues include the misalignment of your spine or other joints.

Many people with chronic pain have such problems, and I can help with gentle manipulation, mobilization and soft tissue techniques.

Such techniques can relieve symptoms initially while I identify and rectify other underlying factors.

Attending a local Yin Yoga class can also help with structural issues.

Yin Yoga involves holding stretching postures for three to five minutes. 

I recommend you go to a class with a yoga teacher who can help adapt and modify poses to fit your body’s limitations.

Next up is nutritional deficiencies.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies contributing to your chronic pain include vitamin and mineral insufficiencies.

Common nutritional deficiencies that can lead to chronic pain include Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Iron and Magnesium.

I can identify whether nutritional deficiencies contribute to your chronic pain.

If you suffer from chronic pain, I suggest you ask your GP or, even better, a Naturopathic Doctor to test for the above nutrients.

A Naturopath would be better as they look at optimizing your nutritional status rather than a doctor who looks to see if you are in the normal range.

Current Emotional Stressors

Current emotional stressors include anything that is currently causing you significant stress.

Typical examples of everyday stressors include:

1. Disliking your job
2. Being in a dysfunctional relationship
3. Not liking where you live.
4. Not being your authentic self at home or work.

I can help you identify if current emotional stressors contribute to your chronic pain.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, consider whether you have any underlying emotional stressors you have been suppressing.

Past Emotional Trauma

Past emotional trauma is an emotive incident in your past, your generational history, such as your parents or grandparents or occasionally from a past life.

I can help identify and sometimes help your body release those past emotional traumas.

If you think your body is holding on to past emotional traumas, then Yin Yoga can be a practical tool to help your body process those emotions.

You may also look for a psychotherapist who uses Mind-Body techniques, such as Somatic Experiencing.

Past Physical Trauma

Past physical trauma includes concussions, car accidents, broken bones, and operations.

Physical Traumas can affect your nervous system leading to dysfunction in your muscles.

I can help to identify if past physical traumas are affecting your muscles and help to resolve them.

If you think that past physical traumas are causing your chronic pain, it would not be easy to help yourself.

As well as visiting an Osteopath, you may also see practitioners who use P-DTR or Functional Neurology in their practice.

Inflammation

Inflammation can be a trigger for chronic pain.

Examples of factors that can cause inflammation include:

1. Hidden Food Sensitivities
2. Gut infections including SIBO, Fungal and Parasites.
3. Viruses, including Lyme Disease.
4. Histamine Intolerance or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.
5. Mould Intolerance.

I can help identify whether inflammation is present and the cause and, in some cases, help rectify the issue or refer you to someone who can.

To help yourself, if you think inflammation might be driving your chronic pain, you can start simply by doing a food/pain journal to see if you can identify any patterns.

Now I would like to hear from you about your experiences with chronic pain

Do any of these factors affect your chronic pain?

For example, gluten is the typical food that causes my neck and shoulder pain. 

Have you ever thought of removing gluten from your diet?

Let me know in the comments section below.

Do You Need Help Resolving Your Hip Pain

If you do and live in Ottawa, I suggest booking a free osteopathy discovery session with me to see whether my approach might be a good fit to help your hip pain.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease. Please do not apply this information without first speaking with your doctor.