Andrew Johnson qualified with a masters degree from the British School of Osteopathy. Prior to this he studied sport and exercise science, fitness instruction, sports massage and medical acupuncture.
Andy has additional experience in specialist clinics treating people who are experiencing homelessness, people suffering from HIV, expectant mothers, children, and sport-specific injuries. He has studied both cranial and visceral osteopathy and has undergone further training in advanced manipulation.
Andy also works as a teaching associate for osteopathic technique and has contributed to a book about the mechanics of osteopathic manipulation, which was published in the summer of 2017.
Andy focuses his treatment on the individual and seeks not only to address the symptoms. The time and care delivered by Andy during his treatment reflect his patient-centred approach.
Osteopaths typically complete 4 years of medical training with an emphasis on musculoskeletal health and injury. They are primary care health practitioners whose title is protected by UK law. They must be registered with the general osteopathic council and complete continuing professional development training.
Osteopath’s use a well-developed sense of touch (palpation) as well as conventional medical assessment for effective diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the root cause of dysfunction is a core osteopathic principle. Osteopaths consider the person as a whole in order to not only to resolve symptoms but to prevent reoccurrence by understanding what may have predisposed to the injury in the first place.
Using a combination of Swedish and deep tissue techniques pain can be relieved and function restored. Despite the name, this type of massage is appropriate for all different types of people and injury. Working with communication of the practitioner the appropriate pressure can be applied and affected area addressed. Many people find sports massage helpful as a standalone maintenance treatment, helping their performance and keeping them mobile.
Medical acupuncture, also referred to as Dry Needling can greatly help relieve muscular tension and associative pain. The needles are placed into areas called myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are taut/contracted areas of muscle tissue that can cause a lot of discomfort and associative dysfunction. These areas often form due the muscle being weak and under repetitive demand, they can also result from stress and other conditions.
It is not uncommon for headaches to arise from these trigger points in the surrounding shoulder and neck musculature.
Medical acupuncture usually causes minimal discomfort, if any. What’s known as the localised twitch response can be achieved, which is where the muscle contracts and then relaxes, removing the trigger points. A skilled practitioner is able to create this reaction and relieve pain often very quickly. The needles also help stimulate blood flow to the muscle, and help release the bodies endorphins to counteract pain.
Joint Manipulation helps to relieve pain and dysfunction by decreasing internal joint pressure. It also releasesendorphins (pain reliever), and changing mechanoreceptor afferent flow (how the brain communicates with the joint governing it’s movement).
The “click” or “pop” heard/felt during this technique is not the bones coming into contact with each other, but actually gas leaving an area of the joint capsule. The capsule(s)surround the joint where movement occurs in the spine.
Sometimes a small piece of material called a meniscoid can become trapped/pinched within the joint space; this is particularly common in the neck and usually results in an uncomfortable “catching” sensation, with greatly reduced range of movement. Manipulation can help free thejoint the space, returning the joint to pain free normal range of motion.
Here at Hampshire Injury and Health we have access to range of exercise equipment where we can guide you through programs to help you recover from your injury. Dependant upon your circumstances and time available, this can be a valuable modality to compliment “hands-on” treatment.
