Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a purely manual, non-invasive medical system, which helps the body to restore its natural healing abilities by gently removing restrictions.

Osteopaths have in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology and the individual is always treated as a unit, rather than just in parts. This means that osteopathy offers many benefits for health issues that respond poorly to drug therapy, or physical therapies that only focus on the area of complaint.

The principle behind osteopathy is simple. Life expresses itself in movement. And wherever movement is restricted, disease can manifest itself. Those movements within the body range from big to small and the different aspects considered by the osteopath are the musculo-skeletal system, the internal organs and the cranio-sacral system.

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Osteopathy for musculo-skeletal pain

Osteopathy is a allround manual therapy and highly effective in treating all musculoskeletal problems. Common presentations are:

• Low back pain, sciatica

• Neck pain, stiffness, whiplash injuries

• Headaches

• Shoulder pain, frozen shoulder

• Tendonitis

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Hip pain

• Knee pain

• Foot and ankle pain

• Sports injuries

• Post-operative pain and loss of range of motion

After a full assessment an osteopath will treat the dysfunctional areas in order to relieve the symptoms and address the cause of the problem.

If appropriate the osteopath may also give some advice on lifestyle and specific exercises. 

Osteopathy during pregnancy

As a drug-free medical system osteopathy is ideal and safe for woman during pregnancy. Osteopathy can help with most of the common pregnancy complaints such as:

• Nausea

• Backache

• Headache

• Acid reflux

• Rib pain

• Water retention

Osteopathy can also be used to prepare the pelvis for the delivery, as blocked joints here can stop the pelvis from adapting to the babies body, as it is making its way down the birth canal. This can lead to prolonged labour, ventouse or forceps deliveries, or emergency C-sections.

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Apart from affecting the physical body, cranial osteopathy in particular, has also a very calming effect on the nervous system and can be used to address tensions that have built up in response to stress and anxiety.  This is important as the muscles of the pelvis and the uterus must be able to work in unison during labour, for the process to be as comfortable as possible.

Osteopathy for babies

Osteopathy is an ideal therapy for babies. It is safe to use even in the first weeks of life, and also very beneficial at this time, as a newly born infant readily integrates the benefits of a treatment. Treatment indications for babies may be:

• Prolonged or complicated labour

• Birth by C-section

• Torticollis or preferred head rotation

• Plagiocephaly or other facial or cranial deformations

• Colic pain

• Reflux or excessive vomiting

• Problems with suction or breast-feeding

Osteopathy for children

Osteopathy can be used at any age and children benefit a lot from osteopathic treatments. It can help children in a variety of situations such as:

• After knocks and falls

• Growing pains

• Scoliosis

• Recurring infections, e.g. otitis media

• Asthma

• Gait irregularities

• Learning difficulties, ADHD

Our Osteopaths

Inès De Beer - Osteopath DO, MCO (UK), MBAKO (Be), MHKOA

Inès has been in Hong Kong for more than 20 years and was one of the first osteopaths in the city. 

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She graduated from the J.W. Academy of Osteopathy (Belgium) in 1995, in association with the Maidstone College of Osteopathy (U.K.). In addition, she has completed several post graduate courses in Cranio-Sacral Therapy at the Upledger Institute, Visceral Manipulation, various Paediatric courses, Tuina Massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture at HKU.  

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Aside from the many adults she has treated for musculo-skeletal ailments, Inès has extensive experience treating children and infants.  

Inès has 2 children of her own, and speaks fluent English, French and Dutch.

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Etienne Simonnet - Osteopath DO, MHKOA (HK)

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Etienne graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in London with a Masters degree in Osteopathic Medicine.  

He specialises in structural osteopathy with a keen interest for sport injuries and biomechanics issues.  He focuses on treating musculo skeletal injuries and chronic pain using hands-on techniques such as soft tissue manipulation and short lever joint articulations.  

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A firm believer in continuous learning, Etienne chose to travel and work in several countries - such as Malaysia, France and England - to improve his professional skills. 

He is fluent in French, Spanish and English.