NMS Osteopathy
A. Nigel Pitchford BSc(Hons) Ost Med
Osteopath and Medical Acupuncturist
General Osteopathic Council registered (5340)
Health and care professions council registered (ODP 13921)
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What is NMS Osteopathy
What is NMS Osteopathy
What is NMS Osteopathy
Neuro Musculo-Skeletal Osteopathy, is a total body treatment, based upon, what has been traditionally called 'Classical Osteopathy', which has as it's foundation the philosophies first proposed by the founder of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr Andrew Taylor Still.
Dr Still worked as a field surgeon during the American Civil War(1861-1865), where he honed his surgical and Anatomical skills in the most acute and difficult of settings.
Not only was he a gifted medical man of his time, he was also somewhat of a pioneer and a deep thinker; particularly within the realm of the Human body, its structure and function and it's ability to overcome illness and trauma.
On a far more personal level, Dr Still had experienced the loss of several members of his own family, who had in the prime of their lives' succumbed to illness and disease for which the medicine of that time had no solutions.
From his biography, it appears that this personal tragedy and loss became his biggest motivation, in terms of his intense study of human anatomy and physiology and the underlying causes of the breakdown of their normal function, and health.
Having opened his first Osteopathic Medical School at Kirksville Missourie, in 1887, one of Dr Still's first students was a young Scottsman by the Name of John Martin Littlejohn, who had previously traveled all the way from Scotland to have Osteopathic treatment for his chronic asthma.
Littlejohn went on to co-found the Chicago University School of Osteopathic Medicine, and then moved to London in 1913, where he established the first Osteopathic college in the United Kingdom; 'the British School of Osteopathy'.
In the same year, Littlejohn had attempted to introduce the philosophies and concepts of Osteopathic Medicine to a medical review board in the House of Commons, but his attempts to have Osteopathy recognised as a viable branch of medicine, were rebuffed as nonsense.
It took eighty years to have Osteopathic Medicine finally acknowledged by Parliament with the passing of the Osteopaths Act of 1993 into statutory law. Subsequently, in 2000 , the General Osteopathic Council was formed as the regulating body for the profession. It's tasks being to implement all aspects of government legislation pertaining to the practise and training for Osteopathy in the UK. https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/home/
Thus, Osteopathy and all related titles are protected by law, and all educational institutions and graduating practitioners have to achieve and maintain specific standards. It also means that all practitioners using the title Osteopath are legislated as Primary Health care practitioners, who can diagnose and treat or refer their patients'.
Although modern osteopathic principles and practice now fall under the broader heading of 'physical' or 'manual' medicine', Osteopathy remains distinctly different from other physical therapies in that:
Osteopaths are statutorily registered primary healthcare practitioners (family health practitioner's) , giving them the legislated right to diagnose and treat or refer to other specialists, and/or order further diagnostic tests.
Four or five year training follows a fully medically based qualification, covering all specialities and backed up with clinical skills and Osteopathic treatment techniques together with nearly 600 hours spent in clinic treating members of the public.
Osteopaths are required to fulfill 90 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) training every three years
The statutorily appointed regulatory body for the profession is the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), which determines codes of practise, approves training for both undergraduate and postgraduate training and guards the interests of the patient with ethics, guidelines and complaints procedures, thereby protecting the interests of the patient and public.
https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/home/
WHO IS YOUR PRACTITIONER
WHO IS YOUR PRACTITIONER
Nigel Pitchford has spent the last 30 years working in healthcare and pain management.
Initially training as an Operating Department practitioner at St Georges Hospital, London, in 1992, he assisted in numerous aspects of both surgery and anaesthesia . This further included a period working with the perfusion team at kings College Hospital, assisting with bypass and infusion support, for Liver transplant and Cardio thoracic surgical teams. Starting his Osteopathic Medical studies in 1997, at the John Wernham College of Classical Osteopathy and qualifying with an honours degree from the Surrey institute of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002, he gained entry to the General Osteopathic register in 2003.
Between 2003 and 2006 Nigel worked as an associate Osteopath in Surrey, and opened his own small clinic in Wimbledon, South West London.
Moving to Durban, South Africa, in 2006, saw the establishment of two practices, one in Scottburgh and one in Umhlanga , on the east coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He continued to work both as an Operating Theatre Practitioner (ODP), and as an Osteopath , joining the Pain Management team at the Nkosi Albert Lethuli Hospital in Durban. The latter involved assisting with the pain management services for post-operative and chronic pain, as part of a multidisciplinary, tertiary service.
Post graduate study has included, a course in medical acupuncture and several pain management seminars and workshops. The latter incorporated training in he use of Ultrasound guided pain blocks, conducted by 'Pain SA', the South African branch of the 'International Association for the study of Pain' (IASP).
In 2017 Nigel came over to the UK to undergo a 'return-to-practise' initiative with the NHS , in Operating Theatre practise, based at the Norfolk and Norwich University hospital. At the same time joining the Brundall Osteopathic clinic, just outside Norwich.
In September of 2020 he returned to sole practice in Great Yarmouth, moving into newly renovated premises in April 2021. These are based in Middle Market Road, near Market Gates, centrally located in the CBD.
Current registrations include: The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) UK; The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) UK; The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA).
He is past Chairman of the Osteopathic Association of South Africa 2013-2018, and was a member of 'Pain SA', the South African branch of the International Association for the Study of Pain(IASP), from 2010 until 2017.
On your first visit
On your first visit
What to expect on your first visit
On your first meeting with your Osteopathic practitioner you will be asked to discuss your medical history in some detail, including any illnesses, injuries accidents or surgery. You will also need to know what prescribed medication you are currently taking or have taken previously.
it is recommended to wear loose clothing or flexible sports wear to allow for a thorough examination of your spine and limbs in various positions, and you may also be asked to undress to allow further examination of muscle, bones and skin.
Further clinical testing may be deemed necessary, such as blood pressure, reflexes, temperature, urine sampling and blood sugar levels.
Occassiionally patients maybe referred back to their GP, to accident and emergency, or if possible for privately funded imaging and/or diagnostic tests such as blood sampling.
Following the initial history and examination and having discussed options and the possible outcomes, the primary treatment can start. This is most often a 'full body' treatment, in which the practirtioner will passively move the patients legs, arms, neck head and spine while feeling (palpating) for areas of increased resistance or movement, abnormal temperature or texture, unusual lumps or bumps or areas illiciting unusual or unexpected pain responses.
Informing the patient of findings and gaining further consent for intervention such as mobilization (normally relating to a joint), articulation, resisted guided exercises, and other procedures such as acupuncture and therapeutic ultrasound maybe required to help with pain and mobility.
After the initial treatment, possible outcomes and any need for follow-up treatments can be discussed, bearing in mind that it can sometimes take several treatments for areas of the body to 'release and change'. This may also mean that symptoms may 'flare-up' after treatment and an oral or topical anti-inflammatory maybe recommended. Exercises and hot/cold packs may also be recommended between treatments.
Some people choose to have a regular check-up and treatment such as they might with their Dentist. This serves more as a maintenance program, with the aim of preventing any future acute episodes.
Is my condition suitable for this type of treatment
Is my condition suitable for this type of treatment
Who can have treatment? What happens with dependent adults requiring assistance, and children? What should I wear?
Osteopathic examination and treatment is suitable for all ages, and most conditions respond well.
Treatments can help with pain relief, and improve mobility in numerous conditions , including the structural and physiological changes throughout pregnancy; for new born infants and growing children and teenagers, and of course for adults experiencing discomfort and pain related to vocation, sports or perhaps a chronic condition.
For adults with special needs and children as well as teenagers, a chaperone or carer is required, and maybe needed to assist with communication and movement.
For very young children and babies the presence of a parent or guardian is essential and often guidance is given to parents and carers for the continuation of treatment at home .
Treatment is physical and does involve practitioner- patient contact. It is therefore recommended that suitable clothing is worn to allow the practitioner to fully assess posture and be able to mobilise and feel (Palpate) spinal and limb movement, while maintaining patient dignity.
People who may feel uncomfortable or anxious about having a physical examination are welcome to bring a chaperone, and no procedure is embarked upon without prior explanation and the patients full consent.
Examples of those who might receive treatment
Examples of those who might receive treatment
Other treatment modalities available
Other treatment modalities available
There are a number of validated therapeutic interventions available at NMS, to enhance treatment, speed recovery from injury or for individual circumstances where some modalities are contraindicated due to a pre existing condition:-
There are a number of validated therapeutic interventions available at NMS, to enhance treatment, speed recovery from injury or for individual circumstances where some modalities are contraindicated due to a pre existing condition:-
Electro-Ultrasound Therapy
Electro-Ultrasound Therapy
Ideal for releasing chronically contractured muscle and increasing circulation to tendons. Not suitable for people with pacemakers, or over open wounds.
Modern/ Medical Acupuncture
Stimulates factors in the immune system to decrease inflammation, and is ideal for trigger points in muscle and arthritic joints. Can be enhanced with electro-stimulation of the needles.
Cupping soft tissue traction and release of contracture
Highly effective for increasing blood supply into soft tissue and enhancing fascial release. Some forms of bursitis respond extremely well to cupping therapy.
Laser Therapy for pain management and joint and tissue rehabilitation
Specific wavelengths of infra, and far infra red light amplified into a deep tissue penetrating beam or a more superficially penetrating cluster of beams, which via a process of photo biomodulation enhance cellular regeneration and tissue healing. This is ideal for wound healing and infection, as well as treating damaged ligament, tendon, cartilage, and other connective tissues.
At specific energy levels this modality can be used for effective pain management.
Prices as of January 2025
Prices as of January 2025
Treatment costs as of January 2025
Initial examination and treatment: ₤ 55. 00
For acute conditions requiring a follow-up within 10 days of initial treatment ₤ 45.00
Standard Hourly rate ₤ 50.00
Standard Half hourly Treatment (where deemed sufficient time) £ 40.00
Contact details
Contact details
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