Pain Matters Consultancy - Osteopathic Practice in Nairobi, Kenya

Mihir Shah M. Ost, ND, DO

Sports has been a key aspect of my childhood having played squash, cricket, football, swimming and later on golf. During this time I suffered several injuries which led me to be treated by several manual therapists. This stimulated my interest in osteopathy.

I graduated from the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) with a Masters in Osteopathy (M. Ost) as well as Diplomas in Naturopathy (ND) and Osteopathy (DO).

During my training at BCOM I gained invaluable knowledge in anatomy, physiology, nutrition and biomechanics, which play a great role in ensuring the best treatment is given.

What can Osteopathy treat?

Osteopathy is an effective treatment for a range of musculoskeletal problems including:

Acute / traumatic injuries
Arthritic pain
Back & neck pain
Circulatory and digestive problems

Muscular injuries and sprains
Post-injury rehabilitation
Sciatic and other nerve pain
Shoulder, rib & jaw injuries

Sports injuries
Upper & lower limb injuries
Whiplash affected disorders

To find health should be the object of the physician. Anyone can find disease. Dr. A. T. Still

What to expect

On your first visit, your osteopath will spend an hour with you during which he will:

Take a medical history of your presenting complaints as well as your general health, lifestyle and occupation;
Perform a physical examination whereby he will ask you to perform movements, touch the tissues and joints that are affected as well as perform some orthopaedic tests to help come up with a diagnosis of the dysfunction.

It may be necessary to ask you to remove some clothing so that the practitioner can see and touch the areas of the body causing concern.

Your osteopath will give you a clear explanation of their diagnosis and discuss a treatment plan that is suitable for you. He will explain the benefits and any risks of the recommended treatment. He will also check for signs of serious conditions that require medical attention and may advise you to see your GP or go to hospital.

Treatment is hands-on and involves skilled manipulation of joints, deep and soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, exercise and even a few lifestyle changes. Your osteopath will explain what he is doing and will always ask your permission before treating you.

When the disease is at its height, it will then be necessary to use the most slender diet. Hippocrates

History of Osteopathy

Dr Andrew Taylor Still founded osteopathy in the late 1800s. Still was an apprentice to his father, a country doctor and a Methodist Minister, for a number of years before branching out on his own. Still soon discovered that in order to achieve the highest possible form of health, all parts of the body should work together harmoniously. Still's aim was to restore optimum health with minimum aid from drugs and surgery.

When every part of the machine is correctly adjusted and in perfect harmony, health will hold dominion over the human organism by laws as natural and immutable as the laws of gravity. Dr. A. T. Still

A photo of an osteopath treating a woman's neck

Principles of Osteopathy

Primary

The body is a unit.
Structure and function are reciprocally inter-related.
The rule of the artery is supreme.
The body has the inherent capacity to defend and repair itself.

Secondary

When normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body's capacity for self maintenance, disease may ensue.
The movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health.
The nerves play a crucial part in controlling the fluids of the body.
There are somatic components to disease that are not only manifestations of disease, but also are factors that contribute to maintenance of the disease state.

The body exhibits a constant drive towards health. Virchow