Better Health Osteopathy

11/12/2025

❄️ WINTER WELLNESS GIVEAWAY ❄️

For the 3rd year running since opening my clinic in Derry, I’m delighted to say thank you to my clients and supporters with my Winter Wellness Collection.

This year we have some of my favourite self-care, exercise and wellness products:

🫶 Pulsio Massage Gun with heat attachment
🫶 Orthopaedic Pillow
🫶 Long Resistance Bands Set
🫶 Fascial Release Ball
🫶 Magnesium Joint Oil
🫶 Magnesium 3-in-1 Supplements
🫶Ashwagandha supplements
🫶 Calisthenics Gymnastic Rings

For a chance to win, all you have to do is:

Follow
Like post
Share to your story
& Tag a friend

Winner will be announced next Thursday 18th Dec!

05/12/2025

Migraine Ireland is proud to announce the official launch of the Irish Headache Society at Migraine Ireland (IHS-MI), a new professional and academic society dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of headache disorders in Ireland.

The HIS-MI will bring together leading neurologists, GPs, pharmacists, Nurses (Clinical Nurse Specialists, Advanced Nurse Practitioners), and other HCPs including psychologists, physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Dietitians, S&L Therapists to address the significant impact of migraine and other headache disorders on the Irish population.

The IHS-MI is the first multidisciplinary headache society of its kind in Ireland. It aims to foster a collaborative environment where healthcare professionals can share research, best practices, and new developments in the field. By creating a unified platform, the society will work to improve patient care, increase public awareness, and promote high-quality research into headache disorders, which are often misunderstood and underdiagnosed.

"The establishment of the IHS-MI marks a pivotal moment for headache and migraine care in Ireland," said Theodore Mavridis, Chairperson Designate of the IHS-MI and a prominent neurologist. "Pascal Derrien, CEO of Migraine Ireland, added, 'For too long, the care pathway for people with headache disorders has been fragmented. This new society will act as a central hub, bringing together the expertise of our country’s top specialists to create a more integrated and effective approach to treatment in primary settings.'"

For more information about the Irish Headache Society at Migraine Ireland, please contact Migraine Ireland.

05/12/2025

Neck & Arm Pain ⚡️

Nerve root pain in the neck can be caused by disc hernitation or osteoarthritic changes in the cervical spine. Associated muscles tend to tense or spasm in response.

Neck movements are usually very restricted in all ranges.

Symptoms of C7 pain include pain radiating down the arm to the middle finger, weakness in the triceps and hand, and numbness or tingling in the middle finger and back of the arm.

This can also manifest as a burning sensation in the shoulder blade or back of the arm, muscle spasms, and a reduced ability to perform fine motor tasks.

Depending on which nerve is affected, the pattern of pain may vary.

Diagnosis:
Case history taking
X-ray and/or MRI Scans
Clinical testing includes reflexes, power and sensory testing of the nerve roots, segmental cervical ROM, muscle testing.

Exclusion of red flags: 🚩
Space occupying lesions (cysts, benign or malignant growths)
Visceral referrals

Treatment options:
Rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, traction therapy. Surgery in severe cases where a herniated disc is the cause.

01/12/2025

Walking Upright is easy until you can no longer do it ‼️. I see a good proportion of clients who are in pain walking due to: low back pain, hip pain or SIJ pain.The core can be become more collapsed in the mid-section and people describe that they have more difficulty going uphill.This routine with elevated arms (weighted or non-weighted) targets:* Iliopsoas muscle - marches and isometric holds, for stronger hip flexion* TFL and Gluteus Medius, for hip abduction and pelvis Stabilization on the single-leg when walking* Obliques - core stability on single-leg stance phase #* Gluteus Maximus - hip extension, for toe off an propulsion

27/11/2025

Osteopathy during pregnancy 🤰

During pregnancy an osteopath can help address the physical strain caused by the growing weight of the baby, hormonal changes and shifts in posture.

Treatment aims to reduce pain, improve mobility and contribute to an overall sense of wellbeing for expectant mothers.

Osteopathy is safe during all stages of pregnancy and is a natural, non-invasive way to enhance comfort and wellbeing for both mother and baby.

17/11/2025

Mobility Monday - Overhead shoulder movement

Problems I commonly see in clinic that cause pain and restriction in overhead movements:

1) Elevated Clavicle and 1st Rib
2) Acromioclavicular Joint (ACJ) Restriction +/- OA
3) Scapula Dyskinesia (Poor scapula glide)
4) Reduced Neck Mobility (+/- forward head posture)
5) Overactive and tense Trapezius and Posterior Scalenes MMs (plus a few others)
6) Sub-optimal breathing mechanics
7) Protracted and elevated shoulders (rounded)

For optimal shoulder movement above 90 degrees the head of the humerus has to glide downwards (inferiorly) and movement needs to occur at the acromioclavicular joint. There also needs to be translation and rotation movements in the cervical spine.

Using a band to depress the clavicle during overhead press will help release the ACJ, depress the 1st rib and switch off some of the overactive muscles that shouldn’t be assisting this movement.

Save & Try

07/11/2025

Are you sitting correctly?

Lumbago is sudden, often sharp, pain in the lower back, frequently caused my muscle or ligament strain.

Some people also experience burning pain, stiffness and muscle spasms

Causes include:
Strain on lower back muscles or ligaments from injury, sudden movement, or heavy lifting
Poor posture, especially when sitting.

Facet joint pain is a condition affecting the small joints on the sides of the vertebrae, causing localized tenderness, stiffness, and pain that can radiate to the buttocks and thighs. These joints are also treated when a patient presents with lumbago.

Causes include:
Degenerative changes: The most common cause is osteoarthritis, or the ‘wear and tear’ of the facet joints with age. This can lead to a loss of cartilage and the development of bone spurs.

Injury: Trauma from an accident, a bad fall, or repeated stress from activities like heavy lifting can damage the facet joints.

Obesity

Poor posture

Day-to-day repetitive activities can also contribute to facet joint pain.

01/11/2025

My 3rd doubles with the lovely 🔥
and 4 min PB for me.

Thank you to supporters and coaches.
Big shout out to coach 🫶

23/10/2025

Benefits of Tummy Time from Birth

* start with tummy time on the chest
* progress to on parent’s knees or over thighs
* from around 3 months you can use a rolled towel or blanket under the chest to support baby on a play mat.
* check that head can move both sides and look up.
* 60 secs is a long time in baby world. Little bit often is best.

If your baby has a strong aversion to tummy time and or poor head control, get in touch for some advice and body work to support them.

(Photo credit from website on image)

20/10/2025

14/10/2025

🙌 Movement is medicine.🙌 Mobility gives you greater ability.🙌 Optimising your spine’s posture gives you better biomechanics and neurological control.Here the goal was to improve my client’s shoulder mobility but I also had to treat the spine to provide better, long lasting results.

08/10/2025

Did you know the sucking reflex starts to develop at 32 weeks of pregnancy?

Photo credit nuturingmilk.com

This is an automatic reflex to help babies feed once born and also self-soothe.

Learn more about how a strong sucking reflex supports your baby’s feeds (both breast and bottle fed).

If you feel your newborn has any feeding difficulties, with or without head and neck tension, DM for more information and book a consultation.