Thetford Osteopaths

We are all Osteopaths registered with the General Osteopath Council, a statutory body established to maintain highest standards within the profession.

Osteopathy is now recognised as an effective treatment for a wide range of painful disorders. It helps restore the function of the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles and ligaments).

Osteopathy is a suitable and effective treatment for all of the following conditions...

• stress
• sciatica
• whiplash injuries
• acute low back pain
• chronic low back ache
• tension headaches
• frozen shoulders
• severe neck pain joint problems
• shoulder pain disc injuries
• migraines
• osteoarthritis
• colic and glue ear
• spinal curvature
• lumbago

Osteopathy is for everybody - from babies to the very old - and can help the very fit and the infirm alike.

Many of our patients suffer with lower back pain caused by postural strains and spinal disc injuries. Problems may also be work related, whether you're sitting for long periods at your computer or doing very physical heavy work there are patterns of strain which occur which we can recognise and help to ease.

We have many middle aged patients, as at this stage of life wear and tear is begining to affect the joints of the spine so injury occurs more easily. Activities that you had no problems with in your twenties can leave you aching.

We can help the elderly with pain and stiffness in their joints by improving their range of motion, stretching out the muscles surrounding the joint, and encouraging blood supply to the joint to aid regeneration.

Treatment is tailored to suit each individual patient.

Osteopaths use their hands to carry out treatment, using a wide variety of techniques including muscle and connective tissue stretching, rhythmic joint movements or high velocity thrust techniques to improve the movement at a joint.

Very gentle releasing techniques are also used especially when treating children or elderly patients. Cranial osteopathy is very gentle, the osteopath uses their trained palpation to identify and correct mechanical disturbances in the skull and throughout the body.

Your first visit to the osteopath Your initial consultation will allow you plenty of time to tell the osteopath about your problem, followed by a comprehensive examination to determine the best solution.

The osteopath will explain in detail what has gone wrong, the treatment that is required, and how long your recovery is likely to take. If treatment other than osteopathy is indicated we will refer you to the most appropriate source of help. For the osteopath to examine you properly it will be necessary to remove some items of clothing. This usually means to your underwear.

Subsequent visits These will be arranged, as far as possible, to fit in around your schedule. Your osteopath will carefully monitor your progress and discharge you as soon as you have made satisfactory recovery. We can provide sick notes if necessary. We can also prepare Medical Reports at the request of your doctor or solicitor. These reports are charged separately.

Meet your Osteopaths

Andrew Hamilton DO
Andrew qualified in 1987 from the British School of Osteopathy and established Thetford Osteopaths in 1990. He is registered as a BUPA and PPP consultant. Andrew has helped many patients with the treatment of acute back pain, tension headaches and muscle tension caused through stress.

Donna Armstrong BSc(Hons)Ost
Donna has a specialist interest in treating childhood conditions such as birth trauma, colic and glue ear using cranial techniques. Treating children when they are young can lead to early detection of conditions such as scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Donna also has experience of developing patient exercise programs.

Richard Lewey BSc(Hons)Ost
Richard specialises in the treatment and rehabilitation of sports related injuries. We find that sportsmen and women at every level respond well to the mixture of hands on treatment and exercises that characterizes our osteopathic approach. He regulary lectures in anatomy and physiology.

Practice hours
The practice is open from 8.30am until 7.00pm Monday to Friday. In cases of an out-of-hours emergency, we operate a message service.