Case history: leg and hip pain
Vincent
After retiring as a policeman, Vincent had been experiencing leg and hip pain. He enjoyed walking in Derbyshire, but found that the pain started during these walks. His left leg would stiffen up and cause him to limp.
Gradually the pain became worse, even on short walks to the shops. Vincent visited his GP who referred him for physiotherapy. When the pain started coming on even when he wasn't walking, a friend recommended he visit The Osteopathic Practice.
Mandy found that Vincent appeared to have some osteoarthritis in his left hip and knee. Although osteoarthritis can't be healed, osteopathy can help to make things much more comfortable.
In her treatment, Mandy worked on three aspects. Firstly, she took the pressure off Vincent's hip and knee by balancing his strong right side with his more mobile left side. Secondly, she helped to reduce the pain in his hip and knee by improving the health of the tissues in and around those joints, and thirdly, she helped Vincent to maintain his improvements with exercises to strengthen his left knee.
Mandy also advised that he take up Tai Chi to keep his body balanced.
Vincent was sceptical when he found that the treatment was gentle. However, in the week following his first treatment, the pain and the daily aching he had grown used to were much reduced, almost gone. He was able to walk a long way without taking painkillers and was much more comfortable.
"I'm impressed! I'm for it, the whole thing's been very positive. I'm still not really sure how it works, kneading and pulling, (Mandy did explain)... but it has really helped. I'm really pleased, I wish I'd come earlier... it has made a real difference."
