CA Classical osteopathy

27/01/2026

Have you ever wondered why that back pain keeps coming back? 🤔

​Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the father of Osteopathy, used to say: "Structure Governs Function."

But what does this actually mean for you?
​Think of a door: if the hinges are rusty or misaligned (structure), the door won’t open or close smoothly (function). 🚪
​Your body works exactly the same way. If your bones, muscles, or fascia are under tension or out of alignment, your systems (like circulation or digestion) can’t perform at 100%. My goal isn't just to "fix the pain," but to help your body regain its structural harmony so it can heal itself naturally.
​Give your body the balance it deserves! ✨
​

25/01/2026

A Space Designed for Your Well-being 🌿

Many of you often ask me about the music in my practice. I choose it carefully because I believe that pain relief begins with the senses. My goal is to create a 'bubble' of tranquility where the noise of the outside world fades away and your mind can truly rest.

This soothing atmosphere not only helps you disconnect from daily stress but also allows your tissues to relax naturally. This enables my hands to work with greater fluidity and reach a therapeutic depth that maximizes the benefits of your session. This is your moment to pause; let the music and the therapy do the rest.

Important Note: If you prefer to have your session in silence, please don't hesitate to let me know. Your absolute comfort is my priority, and I completely adapt to what you need to feel your best.

25/01/2026

Rotated Pelvis and its Implications

Delving into the world of a rotated pelvis is, in essence, talking about a domino effect in the body. It’s not necessarily about a bone being "out of place" (like a dislocation), but rather a functional misalignment where one side of the pelvis shifts forward (anteriorly tilted) or backward (posteriorly tilted) in relation to the other.
Here, I'll explain what's truly happening and how it affects your daily life.

What Exactly Is It?

The pelvis is your body's center of gravity. Imagine it as a seesaw. When we talk about rotation, we’re generally referring to a pelvic torsion. The culprits are usually the muscles: some are too tight (shortened) and pull the bone, while others are too weak to maintain a neutral position.

Common Types of Misalignment:

Anterior Tilt: The pelvis tips forward (increases the lumbar curve).
Posterior Tilt: The pelvis tucks under (flattens the lower back).
Lateral Rotation (Torsion): One side of the hip appears higher or more forward than the other.
Implications and Chain Effects
The body is a master of compensation. If the foundation (the pelvis) is twisted, the rest of the structure has to adjust so your eyes can still look straight ahead.

1. Lower Back and Sacroiliac Pain
This is the number one complaint.

Rotation creates uneven pressure on the vertebrae and the sacroiliac joint (where the spine meets the pelvis), which can cause sharp pains or a "locked" sensation.

2. Functional Leg Length Discrepancy (Apparent Short Leg)

Often, people believe they have one leg longer than the other. In many cases, the leg bones measure the same, but the pelvic rotation elevates one of the hip joints, making one leg "appear" shorter when walking or standing.

3. Knee and Ankle Problems
To compensate for the rotation, the femur might rotate inwards, placing excessive stress on the inner side of the knee and collapsing the foot arch (functional flat foot).

4. Psoas and Piriformis Muscle Tension
The Psoas acts like a taut cable that is often shortened on the side of the rotation.

The Piriformis (in the glute) can become inflamed as it tries to stabilize the pelvis, potentially compressing the sciatic nerve.

24/01/2026

🦵 Sciatica vs. Piriformis Syndrome: Is it "Fake" Sciatica?

​Many patients visit the clinic saying, "I have sciatica," but did you know there are actually two very different reasons for that leg pain? Understanding the source is the first step to recovery.

​1. True Sciatica (Lumbar Radiculopathy)
​The issue starts in your spine.
​The Cause: Usually a herniated disc or bone spur that compresses the nerve root as it exits the spinal cord.
​The Pain: Typically starts in the lower back and radiates all the way down the leg, often reaching the calf or foot.
​Symptoms: You might feel weakness in your foot, "pins and needles," or even a loss of reflexes.

​2. "Fake" Sciatica (Piriformis Syndrome)
​The issue starts in your glutes.
​The Cause: The piriformis muscle (a small muscle deep in your buttock) becomes tight or inflamed, squeezing the sciatic nerve that runs underneath it.
​The Pain: Mainly felt in the center of the buttock. It can travel down the back of the thigh but rarely goes past the knee.
​Symptoms: It often feels worse after sitting for a long time, climbing stairs, or crossing your legs.

💡 Why does the difference matter?

Treating a spinal disc is completely different from treating a tight muscle. A wrong diagnosis means a longer recovery time!
True Sciatica often requires spinal decompression and specific postural work.
Piriformis Syndrome responds amazingly well to manual therapy, stretching, and glute strengthening.

23/01/2026

What are Migraines?

A migraine is much more than a severe headache; it is a complex neurological condition. It involves abnormal neuronal activity and changes in blood flow within the brain. Key characteristics include:
Throbbing Pain: Usually localized on one side of the head.

Sensory Sensitivity: Intense sensitivity to light (photophobia), sound, and smells.

The "Aura": Some people experience visual disturbances, such as flashing lights or blind spots, before the pain begins.

Triggers: These can range from hormonal fluctuations and stress to specific foods or sleep deprivation.

How Craniosacral Therapy (CST) Helps
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive manual approach. Instead of forceful adjustments, it uses a light touch (about the weight of a nickel) to monitor and improve the "rhythm" of the cerebrospinal fluid.

For migraine sufferers, CST focuses on three main areas:

1. Releasing Dural Tension

The brain and spinal cord are wrapped in membranes called meninges. The outermost layer, the dura mater, can become "tight" or restricted. CST helps release these tensions, reducing the physical pressure on cranial nerves and blood vessels.

2. Calming the Nervous System

Migraines are often linked to a hyperactive "fight or flight" response (the Sympathetic Nervous System). CST encourages the body to switch to the Parasympathetic Nervous System, promoting deep relaxation and reducing the neurogenic inflammation that fuels migraines.

3. Improving Venous Drainage

A common cause of head pressure is poor fluid drainage. By working on the base of the skull (the occiput) and the upper neck, therapists can ensure that blood and fluids exit the cranium efficiently, preventing the "congestive" feeling of a migraine.

Expected Benefits
Lower Frequency:

Fewer migraine episodes over time.

Reduced Severity: When headaches do occur, they tend to be less intense and shorter in duration.

Holistic Balance: Improved sleep quality and better stress management.

22/01/2026

The Vital Role of Fascia: The Connector of Life in Osteopathy

Treating connective tissue and fascia is essential in osteopathy because this system represents the functional unity of the body. It is not merely a "wrapper" but a continuous three-dimensional network that connects the head to the toes and the skin to the deepest organs.
To visualize this, imagine your body is like an orange: the fascia is the white pith that not only wraps the segments but also forms the internal structure of each one. If that pith is pulled tight on one side, it affects the entire fruit.

Here are the main reasons why it is so important:

1. Continuity and Body Unity

Osteopathy is based on the principle that "the body is a unit." Fascia is the tissue that makes this concept a physical reality. A restriction in the fascia of the leg can transmit tension through myofascial chains and eventually cause lower back or even neck pain. By treating the fascia, the osteopath looks beyond the symptom to find the root cause of the imbalance.

2. Communication and Mechanotransduction

Fascia is a massive sensory organ, with a much higher density of pain and movement receptors than muscles.
Mechanotransduction: This is the process by which fascial cells convert the osteopath's manual pressure into biochemical signals. This means physical treatment can trigger healing responses at a cellular level, improving tissue regeneration.

3. Circulation and Nutrition (The Rule of the Artery)

Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, stated that "the fascia is the ground where arteries, veins, and nerves meet."
If the fascia is tight or "stuck" (adhesions), it compresses blood and lymphatic vessels.
By releasing these restrictions, the osteopath allows blood to deliver nutrients and metabolic waste to be removed properly, facilitating the body's self-healing capacity.

4. Adaptation and Tissue Memory

Fascia possesses a property called viscoelasticity. In response to physical trauma or prolonged emotional stress, fascia can thicken or dehydrate, losing its ability to glide. Osteopathic treatment aims to restore fluidity.

22/01/2026

Osteopathic Craniosacral Therapy

​Osteopathic Craniosacral Therapy is a subtle yet profound manual technique based on the principle that the body possesses an imperceptible rhythmic motion known as the craniosacral rhythm. This rhythm is linked to the fluctuation of cerebrospinal fluid and affects the entire central nervous system.

​Below is a detailed summary of its benefits and what current science says about it:
​What exactly is it?
​Originally developed by osteopath William Sutherland and later popularized by John Upledger, this therapy focuses on the gentle manipulation (using pressure no greater than 5-20 grams) of the cranial bones, the spine, and the sacrum.
​The objective is to release restrictions in the fascia and connective tissues to optimize the environment in which the brain and spinal cord function, allowing the body to activate its own self-regulation mechanisms.

​Main Benefits.

​It is commonly used to treat conditions where the nervous system or stress play a key role:
​Reduction of stress and anxiety: By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, it induces a state of deep relaxation and reduces cortisol levels.
​Relief from migraines and headaches: It helps release tension in the cranial membranes and improves fluid circulation.
​Improved sleep quality: It is frequently used in cases of insomnia or fragmented sleep.
​Chronic pain: It is applied to patients with fibromyalgia, low back pain, or chronic neck pain.
​TMJ Disorders: It helps relax the jaw and relieve facial pain related to bruxism.
​Pediatrics: It is used in infants to treat colic, congenital torticollis, or difficulties following a difficult birth.

​Recent Studies (2024-2025)

​Scientific evidence regarding this therapy has evolved. Although there has historically been skepticism regarding the movement of cranial bones in adults, recent research has focused more on its clinical efficacy:
​Meta-analysis of Effectiveness (2024): Recent studies (such as those compiled by the COME collaboration) suggest that craniosacral therapy has significant effects on pain reduction and the improvement of physical function in chronic pain patients, with results that can last up to six months.
​Non-specific Neck Pain (2025): Clinical trials have been recorded (for example, on ClinicalTrials.gov) evaluating how adding craniosacral techniques to standard physiotherapy improves range of motion and decreases neck pain more effectively than conventional treatment alone.
​Mental Health and Sleep (2024): Publications in journals such as the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies have highlighted its ability to reduce anxiety and improve restorative rest, linking it to improved cerebrospinal fluid flow and neurotransmitter balance.

20/01/2026

🔥 BACK ON FIRE? 🔥
🍑 THE GLUTE 🍑 THAT DOESN'T HURT BUT IS BURNING UP YOUR LOWER BACK.
▪️ That persistent heat in your lower back isn't a spine problem; it’s a logistical failure in your hips.
Your Gluteus Medius is the master stabilizer of your chassis. If this muscle "shuts down" due to a sedentary lifestyle, your pelvis collapses with every step, forcing your lower back muscles to take on a heavy lifting job they weren't designed for. 🥵 The heat you feel is your back's "engine" burning out from an external overload.
🟥 The Logistics of Critical Compensation
▪️ The Sleeping Stabilizer:
The Gluteus Medius is deceptive because it doesn't hurt. However, its inactivity breaks your alignment logistics, causing the pelvis to drop. This forces the lower back muscles (Quadratus Lumborum) to contract violently to keep you upright, creating internal friction that raises the temperature and exhausts your muscle fibers.
▪️ Overload Friction:
By operating at 200% capacity, your lumbar muscles suffer from constant micro-inflammation. That heat radiating from your back at the end of the day is the "damage report" of an infrastructure desperately trying to keep your spine from crumbling due to hip weakness.
Your back is paying the debts of your glutes! Reawakening your hip logistics is the only way to put out the lumbar "fire" and restore the integrity of your biological architecture.
⚠️ Note: Gluteus medius weakness is a leading cause of trochanteric bursitis and compensatory lumbar herniations.

20/01/2026

Understanding Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen Shoulder)
​Adhesive capsulitis is more than just a localized joint issue. It is often a "systemic" condition, meaning it can be linked to internal health, metabolic functions, and even emotional states.
​1. Organic and Systemic Links
​Frozen shoulder is frequently a signal that something else is happening within the body’s chemistry or organs:
​Metabolic Disorders: There is a very high correlation with Diabetes and Thyroid dysfunction. High blood sugar can lead to "glycation," where glucose molecules attach to collagen fibers in the shoulder, making them stiff and brittle.
​Visceral Reflexes: In osteopathy and manual therapy, we often see "referred pain." The right shoulder can be linked to liver or gallbladder tension, while the left shoulder may be influenced by the stomach or heart. This happens because the nerves that supply these organs share pathways with the nerves in the shoulder.
​Cardiovascular Health: Chronic inflammation in the circulatory system can decrease the micro-circulation to the shoulder capsule, triggering the freezing process.
​2. The Emotional and Psychosomatic Component
​From a holistic perspective, the shoulders represent our capacity to carry weight and our freedom of action. When a shoulder "freezes," it may be reflecting:
​Excessive Responsibility: Feeling like you are "carrying the weight of the world" or taking on burdens that are not yours to bear.
​Internal Conflict: A struggle between what you want to do and what you feel you must do. The joint physically "stops" you from moving in a direction your mind is resisting.
​Suppressed Emotions: The stiffness can act as a "shield" or armor. It often appears in individuals who are very demanding of themselves and struggle to express vulnerability or anger.
​3. The Role of the Nervous System
​Frozen shoulder is closely tied to the Autonomic Nervous System. Chronic stress keeps the body in a "fight or flight" state. This creates constant tension in the connective tissues (fascia), restricting blood flow and promoting the "stickiness" (fibrosis) that characterizes this condition.

19/01/2026

🧠 The Trigeminal System: The Most Overlooked Link Between Head Injury, Headaches, Facial Pain, Autonomics & Brain Recovery

Most people have heard of the trigeminal nerve because of “trigeminal neuralgia” or sinus pain…
…but almost no one understands how MASSIVELY important the trigeminal system is for:
• Headaches & migraines
• Concussion & post-traumatic symptoms
• Facial and jaw pain
• TMJ dysfunction
• Sinus pressure
• Neck pain & cervicogenic headaches
• Autonomic dysregulation (light sensitivity, nausea, dizziness)
• Cerebral blood flow
• Neuroinflammation
• Cognitive fatigue
• Brain recovery

At The Functional Neurology Center, we evaluate the trigeminal system in every complex case — because it is one of the most influential and interconnected systems in the human nervous system.

This system is NOT just a facial nerve.
It is a brainstem, vascular, sensory, autonomic, and pain-modulating superhighway.

Let’s break down why it matters.

⸻

🔍 What Is the Trigeminal System?

The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is the largest cranial nerve, with three major branches:
• V1 Ophthalmic – forehead, scalp, eye, dura, sinuses
• V2 Maxillary – cheeks, upper teeth, sinuses
• V3 Mandibular – jaw, lower teeth, TMJ, chewing muscles

It carries:

✔ Sensory input

Touch, pressure, pain, temperature, vibration, and proprioception from the head, face, jaw, sinuses, teeth, tongue, meninges, and blood vessels.

✔ Motor control

Muscles of chewing (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids), tensor tympani, and more.

✔ Autonomic & reflex connections

Deep links to parasympathetic nuclei, pupillary responses, salivation, tear production, and brainstem autonomics.

✔ Vascular & meningeal innervation

The trigeminal system innervates the meninges, dura, and cerebral blood vessels — making it a direct controller of brain vascular tone and blood flow dynamics.

The trigeminal ganglion and brainstem nuclei then relay information to:
• Thalamus
• Hypothalamus
• Insular cortex
• Somatosensory cortex
• Limbic/emotional centers
• Cerebellum
• Vestibular nuclei
• Autonomic brainstem nuclei
• Pain modulation systems (like PAG – periaqueductal gray)

This is why trigeminal input affects head pain, emotion, dizziness, visual comfort, sensory tolerance, and autonomic stability.

⸻

🔥 The Trigeminovascular System: The Source of Most Headaches

One of the most important sub-systems is the Trigeminovascular System (TVS) — the network connecting trigeminal nerve endings to the dura + cranial blood vessels.

When activated by:
• Trauma
• Whiplash
• Concussion
• Stress
• TMJ strain
• Sinus inflammation
• Neck dysfunction
• Vascular irritation

…the TVS releases inflammatory neuropeptides like:
• CGRP
• Substance P
• Neurokinin A

This causes:

✔ Blood vessel dilation

✔ Neurogenic inflammation

✔ Increased pain sensitivity

✔ Facial & head pain

✔ Migraine-like symptoms

✔ Autonomic symptoms (nausea, light sensitivity)

This is the core mechanism behind:
• Migraines
• Tension headaches
• Sinus headaches
• Post-traumatic headaches
• Occipital headaches that radiate behind the eye
• TMJ-driven head pain
• Concussion headaches

If you irritate the trigeminal system, you can trigger headache physiology — even without a direct head injury.

⸻

🧠 Concussion & the Trigeminal System: The Missing Link

Here’s the part most providers miss:

The trigeminal system is DIRECTLY affected after concussion.

Concussion creates:
• Shearing forces on the brainstem
• Irritation of the meninges (innervated by V1)
• Neuroinflammation → activates trigeminovascular endings
• Altered cerebral blood flow → sensed by trigeminal fibers
• TMJ/mandible compression from impact
• Whiplash → cervical inflammation → trigeminal-cervical convergence

All of these increase firing of trigeminal pathways.

This is why post-concussion patients develop:

✔ Head pressure

✔ Pain behind the eyes

✔ Facial pain or tingling

✔ Migraines

✔ Light & sound sensitivity

✔ TMJ pain

✔ Ear fullness or pressure

✔ Dizziness

✔ Nausea

✔ Cognitive fatigue

And even more importantly…

The trigeminal system helps regulate cerebral blood flow.

If this pathway is disrupted, the brain may struggle with:
• Autoregulation
• Neurovascular coupling
• Metabolic clearance
• Cognitive endurance

This explains WHY concussion symptoms get worse with:
• Bright lights
• Visual motion
• Thinking too hard
• Screen use
• Busy environments
• Neck movement
• Jaw clenching
• Increased stress

All of these stimulate trigeminal input.

⸻

🔄 Cervical Spine → Trigeminal System → Pain & Dizziness

The upper cervical spine shares convergence pathways with the trigeminal system in the brainstem (trigeminal-cervical complex).

Inflammation or dysfunction in:
• C0–C1 joints
• C1–C2 joints
• Suboccipitals
• SCM
• Deep neck flexors
• Cervical proprioception

…can activate the same brainstem nuclei that process trigeminal pain.

This is why neck injuries cause:
• Headaches
• Facial pain
• Eye strain
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Trigeminal neuralgia-like symptoms

And why treating the cervical spine often reduces “facial pain” or “head pressure.”

⸻

💥 The Trigeminal System & the Vestibular System

The trigeminal system links deeply with the vestibular nuclei, influencing:
• Balance perception
• Visual stability
• Head motion tolerance
• Cervico-ocular reflexes
• Spatial awareness

When trigeminal input becomes abnormal, patients experience:
• Dizziness
• Rocking or swaying
• Motion sensitivity
• “On a boat” sensation
• Feeling off-center
• Difficulty with head turns

This is why trigeminal modulation can help stabilize dizziness after concussion.

⸻

🌡 Trigeminal System, Autonomics & Inflammation

The trigeminal system interfaces with:
• The vagus nerve
• Parasympathetic nuclei
• Sympathetic brainstem regions
• Hypothalamic stress circuits
• Pain modulation centers

Activation can produce:
• Nausea
• Temperature dysregulation
• Heart rate instability
• Anxiety or irritability
• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbance
• Digestive changes

And conversely — calming trigeminal input calms the autonomic system.

⸻

⚡ Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS): A Breakthrough for Brain Recovery

Research shows that stimulating trigeminal pathways can:
• Boost cerebral blood flow
• Reduce neuroinflammation
• Improve autonomic regulation
• Support consciousness in severe brain injury
• Reduce migraine frequency
• Improve mood & cognition
• Help post-concussion symptoms
• Improve sleep and sensory tolerance

This is why trigeminal-focused neuromodulation is becoming a major tool in functional neurology.

At The FNC, we integrate:
• ARPwave trigeminal/vagal stimulation
• TMJ and cranio-cervical work
• Facial proprioceptive rehab
• Neuromuscular retraining
• Sensory desensitization
• Autonomic stabilization
• Pterygoid, masseter, temporalis functional work
• Cranial/dural release
• Vestibular + trigeminal integration
• Visual + trigeminal reflex retraining

When you rehab this system properly, symptoms begin to unwind fast.

⸻

🌟 The Takeaway

The trigeminal system is:

✔ A brainstem regulator
✔ A vascular controller
✔ A pain amplifier — or pain reliever
✔ A balance + eye movement collaborator
✔ A major player in headaches, concussion, and TMJ
✔ A target for neuromodulation and rehabilitation

Most patients with:
• Post-concussion symptoms
• Chronic headaches
• TMJ pain
• Facial pain
• Light sensitivity
• Dizziness
• Neck pain
• Cognitive fatigue

…have trigeminal dysregulation at the root.

The good news:
This system is incredibly trainable.
With the right functional neurology approach, you can calm it, retrain it, and rebuild healthy sensory processing.

This often leads to some of the fastest and most dramatic breakthroughs we see in clinic.

⸻

There is HOPE.

And the trigeminal system is one of the most powerful pathways we use to help patients get it back.

TheFNC.com
612 223 8590

⸻



Image: https://biorender.com/

https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/11/9/2392 #

19/01/2026

Recovery & Wellness at your fingertips 🌿
​We are happy to announce that our Treatment Bundles and Gift Vouchers are now available to purchase directly from our website!
​Whether you are looking to commit to your recovery with a 5 or 10-session pack, or you want to give the gift of health to someone special, we’ve made it easy for you.
​✨ Treatment Bundles: Save more by booking your sessions in advance.
🎁 Gift Vouchers: The perfect gift for friends and family (Physical cards available!).
​📍 How to buy:
​Visit https://www.aresosteop.com/treatments-prices
​Choose your plan or voucher and pay securely via Stripe.
​Invest in your well-being today.

19/01/2026

https://www.aresosteop.com/treatments-prices

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