Patient's Stories
I first visited Angus for cranial osteopathy for trigeminal pain in November 2004. I have had spine pain and associated problems since giving birth in 1963 and have seen both NHS doctors and physiotherapists and private osteopaths over the years with very limited and short-term improvement.
The trigeminal pain had got progressively worse and in desperation I tried cranial osteopathy with Angus.
Over the years, using osteopathy and cranial osteopathy, he has treated most of my spine and trigeminal problems. He has reduced the pain, explained what is happening and why and how we can, together, reduce and manage it. He taught me exercises, which have strengthened my neck muscles in particular. When I first went to him I could only lift my head off a pillow by using my hands. I do the exercises every day and have really strengthened my neck and spine.
Because of my spine damage, an osteopath told me about twenty years ago that I would probably be in a wheel-chair in fifteen years. Amazingly, I went surfing with my granddaughters this year.
I still have a lot of pain at times
but I now feel in control and know that if a problem flairs up I can just phone Angus and see him within a day or so.
I hadn't needed treatment for over nine months but after a long and difficult dental extraction recently, which affected my spine, I returned for a few visits to get things back to normal.
I have found that Angus always listens, is courteous, cheerful and honest about treatment and prognosis, and is an excellent Osteopath.
Hazel Taylor, October 2009
By using osteopathy on a regular basis I am now able to enjoy a full and pain free life: no more the need to occasionally attend an osteopath when my back is in a critical state, but a regular programme of manipulation and information which has, and will continue to have, a benefit on my well being. Angus Hellier, who with his professional courtesy, is the person to provide such a holistic approach. Thank you.
Gavin Clarson, November 2009
Here is my story...
In 1988 I had a serious car crash. As a result of my seat belt failing, I was smashed into the roof at 60 m.p.h. I suffered head injuries, serious whip lash and back injuries. I had to leave my job as an industrial chemist because I was confined to bed for nearly 9 months. I am still suffering to this day.
I turned to osteopathy nearly a year since the crash. I had not heard about it before. The first cranial osteopathic session I had was an incredible experience. I felt my blood rush through my head and around my body as if a damn had burst. I was brick red and sweating but felt liberated temporarily from the constant pain that has become a daily feature of my life. This treatment was a revelation and gave me the hope to keep going, because at the time I had become seriously depressed.
Cranial osteopathy is my favourite procedure. I can still feel exactly which bones in the cranium were damaged to this day because their movement is still restricted.
I also have traction to release the bones in my neck and take the pressure off my skull and spine. I feel as if a huge weight is being lifted from my shoulders each time I have it done. I believe that I am a few centimeters taller when I leave each session.
I also have manipulation of the thorax, lumbar and sacral bones in my spine because they are twisted against the side impact of the crash.
I cannot go 2 months without seeing an osteopath, the build up of stress and pain within my skeleton is too great to bear. My relationship with my osteopath is an important one, only he understands what I am going through physically every day because he keeps trying to fix it and make my life tolerable. My osteopath is someone who makes you stop and listen to your body, a very necessary task that doesn't happen as much as it should. He is a witness to my physical distress that I cannot share with anyone else, due to the nature of his job.
In short, osteopathy helps me to lead as normal life as possible and I am happy to continue with it for the rest of my life.
Caroline Herring, November 2009
I have suffered from osteoarthritis in my spine for many years. When NHS physiotherapy did not ease my condition, my orthopaedic surgeon recommended antidepressants to control the pain. I turned to Osteopathy to avoid a lifetime on pills. It has not only eased my pain but significantly improved the condition of my spine, allowing me live a near normal life and to pursue my interests with little pain.
Elisabeth Rolfe 2009
I am 55 years old and I have been playing competitive sport for the best part of 45 years. Over that time I have played, competed or trained as a gymnast, boxer, footballer, rugby player, wrestler, athlete and now a golfer. I have over that time trained in the gym and on the road to keep fit and healthy. As with all sporting activities you will get injured although you do not have to play sport for injuries to occur.
What I have learnt is when injuries do occur, do not just leave them to repair them self, seek specialist advice. Doctors are great for administering pills to kill the pain, however pills do not cure the problem they just mask it. I have been told and advised on many occasions by my GP to go home and rest the injury, when I know that some form of controlled manipulation or exercise is required. For this reason I have for many years consulted with Osteopaths who have identified and diagnosed the primary cause of the problem and have worked with me to resolve the problem.
Because I trust and believe in what they do, I go for remedial treatment with my Osteopath every 6-8 weeks just to make sure that I stay in shape and my body is in line. If I had known more about this type of treatment I would have used this over the years regardless of any injury and I would have taken my children for annual checkups to make sure their body was in good shape.
Steve Slade 2009
Following a car accident in 2003 I had lower back problems for sometime. I had tried various types of treatment which including Physiotherapy, Chiropractics, personal training and Acupuncture for a number of years with little or no improvement to my condition. During this period I had an MRI scan and numerous appointments with various Orthopaedic Consultants none of whom I felt explained the problems I was experiencing in sufficient detail to give me the confidence to proceed with invasive treatment or epidural injections
During a holiday in 2005 my symptoms were exacerbated and progressed to an acute right leg sciatica and lumbar spine spasms, which resulted in weeks off work. the sciatica prevented me from sitting down for any longer than a couple of minutes at most.
A nieghbour had previously suggested I try Osteopathy and recommended Angus Hellier to me. Feeling particularly low and having not tried this form of treatment I arranged to see him. Having explained my condition over the phone I had an appointment the same day. Within minutes Angus was able to see the extent of the problem. I agreed to try a short intensive course of treatment to see if my symptoms could be relieved. Angus took time to review my previous notes and reviewed the MRI scan taken 12 months previous and explained to me in plain English what he felt the problems were.
Within days Angus advised me that whilst removing the back spasms and back pain the sciatica was unresponsive to conservative measures. He advised me to consult with a Neuro Surgeon immediately and recommended Mr Alan Waters from Cambridge. Due to the advice given and honesty from Angus I made an appointment, had a further MRI scan and saw Mr Waters all within a week.Mr Waters explained and demonstrated in clear terms his diagnosis to my wife and I. He clearly explained how surgery would remove the section of prolasped disc at the lumbosacral junction of my spine. He also spent time to explain the pros and cons of not having the operation and all the risk associated with the operation.
I left the appointment relieved we had finally drawn a conclusion to the problem and had great confidence in Mr Waters undertaking the operation. I was treated within 7 days privately and woke up post op with no sciatic pain.
After 3 days of physiotherapy within the hospital I was discharged to return home and commence my rehabilitation. Having been signed off work for 6 weeks I immediately returned to Angus for post op rehabilitation.This was to ensure I rebuilt the supportive musculature of the lumbar spine, back up to an optimal state in a careful guided and controlled manor. Also to improve the fluid flexibilty of my spine; As Angus says"The cause of disc damage is largely due to the poor stiffened mechanic of the lumbar spine , acting like a crowbar prising a nail out of piece of wood. The stiff mechanic generates unsustainable forces on the discs that with the helping hand of a car crash careless heavy lifting will conspire to damage and prolapse the intervertebral discs." His advice and treatment programme during this period were vital to my speedy recovery. I was driving before my final check from Mr Waters which was 4 weeks after the operation.
I have continued to see Angus on a three monthly basis for the last 4 years as I feel his treatment is vital for me in maintaining my back in good health.
Andrew Flynn 2009