Fleet provides the following (where appropriate) for the most comprehensive effective patient care:

Osteopathy

• Osteopaths are "Body mechanics"
• Osteopaths diagnose and treat musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal problems using manual techniques. They are experts at understanding how the body works and getting to the root of the problem and why it occurred, thereby being able to treat it more effectively.
• Clinical assesment, including mechanical, postural and functional tests are carried out as well as appropriate conventional medical assessment and diagnosis (eg blood pressure).
• Treatment includes massage, mobilisation and manipulation of muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints, backed up by guidance on diet and exercise. We work alongside other medical specialists and refer when necessary (eg GPs, orthopaedic consultants, podiatrists).

Exercise, rehabilitation and lifestyle advice

• Rehabilitative or corrective exercises also form a core part of treatment, where appropriate.
• Recommendations are also given regarding general exercise and lifestyle in order to optimise return to normal function and minimise the risk of injury recurrence.

Dry Needling

• Dry needling is the use of acupuncture needles on muscles and bones. Commonly, it is used to help relieve muscle spasm and joint pain. It is carried out as part of the osteopathic treatment as appropriate and with the consent of the patient.

Visceral Osteopathy

• Visceral osteopathy involves techniques to address function of the abdominal organs and lungs. It is used alongside treatment of the musculoskeletal system in helping relieve the symptoms of conditions such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma and post operative scarring.

More about Office-related pain

• Pain and dysfunction anywhere in the body, including the spine will affect nearly everyone at some point in their lives. Poor posture and a lack of time to exercise or stay fit are the most common predisposing factors to pain. Often what is felt as a mild irritation will progress to something more debilitating with time. Osteopathy can help reduce strain and pain and may prevent a problem from becoming long-standing: causing days off work or reduced performance.

More about Sports Injuries

• Osteopaths successfully treat sport injuries. Often, injuries are the result of compensation by the body to avoid pain or overstrain of a particular tissue. In certain circumstances an area of weakness or restriction can cause the body to compensate and load or movement may be transferred elsewhere. This may avoid pain in the short term but eventually something (joint, bone, muscle, tendon, ligament) will give way and pain and deep-set dysfunction will ensue. Therefore, often the cause of a specific problem can be situated in a different place from the site of the actual injury which may simply be the weak point that gave way. An osteopath can treat the injury but also attempt to determine the original cause and help prevent future problems or injuries.