Monthly archive - January 2012

My chronic neck pain started 10 months ago after  a few sessions with a new personal trainer at the Gym.  I wrote it down to over strenuous exercise – my neck was dreadfully stiff and cricked every time I moved it.  Being a keen golfer also did not help matters and I was miserable.  I immediately tried sports injury massage, a stress release chiropractor and a conventional chiropractor.  They all helped but only for a few days when my neck seized up again and I obviously had difficulty moving. 

 I mentioned my problem to a friend who claimed that he had had problems with his neck and had gone the same conventional route I had, but that nothing had really helped.  He had then discovered an osteopath – Dr Guy Ashburner – who had helped him enormously and that he was now pain free.

 After another lousy round of golf I was almost in tears with frustration and pain, and decided to phone Dr Ashburner.  Well, it was the best thing I could’ve done.  He sat and listened to my problem.  He actually gave me a deep manipulation, or so it felt to me, and when the session was over I could move my neck and there was virtually no stiffness.  It appears that my back was really the problem and was pulling my neck out of alignment.

 Dr Ashburner advised me on how to improve my posture, and which exercises I should and should not be doing.  My personal trainer has taken his advice and is working with his recommendations in mind.  I now am completely pain free and feel as though I’m walking on air.  I go around raving to people how wonderful Dr Ashburner’s treatment is – it is amazing how many of us suffer from back related problems – mainly due to the work we do.  Guy – what can I say.  Words cannot really convey how grateful I am.  Thank you so very, very much. 

Karin Newton

Osteopathy and Asthma – a success story

Three years ago I spent a week in hospital with symptoms the pulmonologist attributed to asthma. After I was discharged I consulted Guy Ashburner, osteopath to assist with the aches and pains in my back as a result of 10 days of non-stop coughing. While he was working on me the most amazing thing happened … my chest opened up completely and for the first time on 10 days I was able to breathe easily. One single treatment was all it took.

 I recently had another of these “asthma” attacks and spent 9 days in hospital on 3 hourly nebulisers, oxygen and about 11 different medications. I had only 5% lung function and was having daily physiotherapy.  After I was discharged, I was still struggling to breathe and was coughing on the slightest exertion so I made an appointment to see Guy and again same thing happened. During the treatment my chest opened up and my symptoms abated instantly and a month on I haven’t had a moments trouble since.

 I have googled the link between ashtma and osteopathy and most of the articles I read were all somewhat sceptical and no definitive proof of benefit seems to have been established. However, speaking from my own experiences I know that in the future should I have trouble breathing my first stop will be the osteopath’s office. I am very hopeful that by doing that I will be able to avoid the hospital stay altogether. I would highly recommend anyone with asthma to try osteopathy. It is non-invasive, gentle and in my experience highly beneficial.

 Janice Melmed

Two years ago we discovered that our son had a speech delay (he is currently four years old) when compared to others his age. Although not meant to compare, it was only natural for first time parents to do so.

 After engaging with the staff at his nursery school, we explored different avenues. These included visits to a paediatric neurologist, an audiologist, an educational psychologist, speech therapists, brain gym sessions with a remedial teacher and play therapy sessions. He was diagnosed with elements of verbal dyspraxia. After various attempts and becoming despondent at the lack of progress we were then referred to Dr Guy Ashburner.

 Although sceptical at first we noticed a visible shift/change in his behaviour. After three sessions, he had a need to communicate and to be understood. There was a desire to pronounce words he had difficulty in saying , which I know was not there before. Family members were noticing the change in him too. I can honestly say sessions with Dr Ashburner have made a significant difference in our son. His speech therapist has also commented on the improvement and acceleration of his speech and his understanding, in her words ,”like something has made a connection”.

I think throughout this process of trying to find answers , we’ve realised there is no single solution and each child is unique.

 I only wish we’d met Dr Ashburner sooner, the results in such a short space of time have been remarkable.

I’ve had trouble with my mid to lower back from primary school days and have had regular massages which would help temporarily but the niggle would always reset itself a couple of days later. The first day I walked out of Guy Ashburner’s office I felt like I was walking on air and I’ve been seeing him for about four months now. Why you may ask? Well, in my line of work, I do a lot of sitting for hours in cars, buses, planes and tranes and my back does take a knock. I find that seeing Guy has helped me to feel much stronger and more comfortable in my frame. My posture is better and I’m not nearly the ball of tension I was when I first walked into Guy’s office. I recommend trying out osteopathy …