Beechgrove Clinic, Aberdeen

Your Treatment (What to Expect)

Patients are often confused by the range of treatments offered by different therapies and can be unsure which will best meet the requirements of their injury or illness.

At the Beechgrove Clinic patients can expect an examination which will highlight the best type of treatment (i.e. biomechnical analysis, physiotherapy, craniosacral therapy or visceral manipulation) for their condition. This may be a simple matter for one therapist or may involve a more complex approach with combined therapies.

Biomechnical Theraphy ( BT) involves the complete structural analysis of the patient. This will include therapy and biomechnical gait analysis and the relevant strength and conditioning programme tailored to the patients needs.

Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a gentle hands on therapy that locates restrictions or imbalances in or around the internal organs (viscera). These may have been created by trauma, surgery, inflammation, infection or emotional stresses. When an organ cannot move in harmony with its surroundings, points of tension are created, around which the body is forced to move. Disease and dysfunction can follow as well as chronic irritation. VM can relieve long standing pain from the body, anywhere from the pelvis to the neck and shoulders. VM involves light touch and is felt as pressure, movement and release. Some mild discomfort may be felt before release with a feeling of space and lightness in the area afterwards. Improvement can continue after the session for a few weeks as function is restored to the area. Many people find the experience enjoyable and relaxing.

For more information go to Barral Institute.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle therapy that focuses on the cranial rhythm which reflects imbalances in the movement of the cranial bones, the sacrum and the cerebrospinal fluid. It involves such light touch that it is suitable for babies and very frail patients. Deep relaxation is invoked and the body’s balance restored after problems which may have been created through trauma (eg birth, whiplash, falls), back problems, emotional stresses, or dental work. Babies and young children with crying, sleep problems or digestive problems respond very well to this type of treatment.

Children and babies must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and are usually seen by both the Physiotherapist and the Biomechanical Therapist together.

Patients will always be informed of the type of treatment and what it involves.

Normally after a course of treatment the patient will keep in touch with the clinic so that long term progress can be assessed. This is particularly relevant to chronic conditions such as prolapsed spinal discs.

In cases where manipulative joint techniques are used the patient may experience some mild discomfort for 24 – 48 hours after treatment. This is also true after craniosacral treatment where children and babies may show slightly increased symptoms for a short while.

To summarise, the clinic offers a unique combined approach to treatment which is very effective and speeds recovery times for most ailments.