Osteopaths to join with Allied Health Professions in NHS Transformation

iO representatives Maurice Cheng, Robin Lansman and Matthew Rogers meet with Suzanne Rastrick

iO representatives Maurice Cheng, Robin Lansman and Matthew Rogers meet with Suzanne Rastrick

The Institute of Osteopathy is delighted to announce that the iO will be working with Suzanne Rastrick, the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer of NHS England, to strengthen the engagement of osteopaths with other health professionals, in the transformation of service delivery to improve patient outcomes.

AHPs form the third largest workforce in the health and care system, and from 1 April 2017, osteopaths will join twelve other autonomous health professions that Suzanne Rastrick represents, whose roles are increasingly seen as key to transforming health care and wellbeing, and increasing capacity across the health and care system.  ‘AHPs into Action’ is the recently announced, crowd sourced strategy developed to unlock this potential, and osteopaths will now be playing their part in this initiative.

Suzanne Rastrick said ‘I am delighted to welcome osteopaths under my remit for Allied Health Professionals, and to the ‘AHPs into Action’ programme. I look forward to working with the Institute of Osteopathy and the community of osteopaths, we plan to demonstrate our continuing pledge to encourage innovation, multi-professional working, and patient centred care.  I look forward to working with the iO senior team, and welcome the opportunity to engage with the wider membership, to ensure osteopaths are recognised for the contribution they make to improving outcomes for patients, and increasing capacity across the health and care system.’

Maurice Cheng, Chief Executive of the Institute of Osteopathy said ‘This new relationship with the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer marks an important milestone for our profession. Over 30,000 people visit an osteopath in the UK every day, and the patient centred and whole person approach to health has always been at the core of osteopathic care.  There are already good examples of the excellent results that arise from osteopaths, GPs and surgeons working together: by building better collaborative working with other health professionals, we know we can raise the contribution that the profession can make to patient wellbeing, and play our part in the mandate for positive change in UK health.’

Why women should do weights

This year the iO is supporting the National Osteoporosis Society to help raise awareness of osteoporosis in the effort that more people will take action to prevent, detect and treat this life threatening condition.

Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones more brittle and prone to fracture. Although osteoporosis can effect men and younger people, post-menopausal women are most at risk. One of the best ways to help maintain healthy bones is to exercise regularly – which encourages the bones to absorb calcium and other mineral salts that keep bones strong.

Weight bearing exercises and weight resisted exercises are best for strengthening bones and muscles and as well as helping to keep bones in good health may also reduce the likelihood of falls as you age. Weight bearing exercises are those where your body is supporting its own weight, such as walking or housework or carrying groceries. Weight resisted exercise involves pushing or pulling against an additional weight, like a dumbbell or barbell or resistance equipment in a gym.

The younger you start, the better

Anyone can benefit from weight training but it has been demonstrated that younger women who trained using weights have stronger bones later in life, this essentially means that you can bank bone when you’re younger to help prevent fractures later in life – a kind of insurance scheme for your body. A life time of active living not only protects your bones but also keeps your heart healthy and may protect you from other diseases such as cancer and type two diabetes.

But starting at any age will help

Everyone can benefit from increasing their activity levels. Studies have shown that people who have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis can improve their bone health significantly through weight bearing exercising, the key is getting good advice on how to move well and how to self-manage.

Some more benefits

Strong muscles burn more calories, so if you need to control your bodyweight, lifting weights can help. It also helps with balance and can help you to regulate your sleep patterns.

‘I don’t want to look muscled’

It takes women a lot of heavy weight lifting, and sometimes the use of controlled substances like steroids and hormones, to achieve the physique of the heavily muscled power lifter. Women don’t normally have enough testosterone in their bodies to develop bulging muscles, but can, with regular, moderate training achieve lean, toned and strong muscles.

‘I hate gyms’

No problem. There are plenty of other exercises you can do that don’t involve a visit to the gym. Dancing, yoga, tennis, Pilates, walking, running, gardening and even housework count – all you are aiming to do is increase your heart rate and make yourself feel a little warmer. You can do it in several short blocks of 15 minute or more but aim for at least a total of 150 minutes per week over at least 5 days per week for the best results. If you’re unused to exercise, start slowly and build up to this target.

I don’t know where to start

This is where your friendly local osteopath can help. They can screen you for any health concerns that might affect your ability to exercise, help to resolve any injuries or pain that might be holding you back and advise you on what exercises might suit your goals best. Many can teach you how to exercise correctly, avoiding injuries and how to gradually build up as your ability and fitness levels improve.

As an Osteopath, Rob adopts a comprehensive, individual and caring approach to the health and wellbeing of all of his patients. He believes in treating not just the symptoms but the person as a whole, creating a treatment programme that is tailored to your body’s own unique, specific needs.

If you are not sure whether or not Osteopathy is for you and would like to have an informal, no obligation chat before booking an appointment, simply call one of the contact numbers, leave a brief message and he will call you back.

Rob’s Osteopathic Practice goes back a long way.

The origins begin around 1983 when Philip Waite, an Osteopath was based in Midland Road, moving later to Park Road.

Working Together

Amanda Coleshill, Osteopath took over and renamed it The Wellingborough Therapy Centre. In 1999 Amanda moved to 50 Havelock Street.

Rob took over in 2001 and during 2011 merged with the Callistherapy Healing Centre (now Oxford Street Therapy Centre) at the present location in Oxford Street.