We offer osteopathic treatment for a variety of conditions such as:

•  back pain, neck, joint and muscle strain
•  pregnancy discomforts.
•  repetitive strain injury

We use an established system of diagnosis and treatment, which consists of gentle manipulative techniques to re-establish the normal balance and function of the body.

Our Osteopaths are intensively trained to assess mechanical dysfunction of the spine using palpation as its most important tool. The treatment will depend on each particular problem and it is tailor-made for each patient.

Autism Research Project - Recruitment closed.

Autistic children between the ages 3-8 years old are invited to participate on a research project aiming to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms.

Study outline

The study has been designed to investigate the use of visceral osteopathic techniques* (abdominal massage) on the gut (Gastro-Intestinal system – GI system) function of children, aged between 3 1⁄2 and 8 years, who have been diagnosed autistic. This forms part of an MPhil/PhD study jointly supported by BCOM and Westminster University, in collaboration with King’s College hospital and endorsed by The National Autistic Society (www.autism.org.uk).

The aim of this investigation is to determine whether the application of a soft tissue technique (Visceral Osteopathy) to the abdomen has any influence on the bowel function of children suffering with autism. This is to be achieved by two methods. Firstly by measuring biochemical markers in stool samples collected by the children’s parents before and after the application of osteopathy. The samples will be analyzed to determine whether changes occur in the level of biochemical markers in the children’s stool samples. Secondly a questionnaire will be given to the parents, on three separate occasions, who will be able to analyze the child’s responses to the technique e.g. frequency of bowel movement, communication, eye contact and other parameters. These questionnaires will be given to the parents before initiation of the technique, once during the treatment phase and after the last treatment session over a total of 6 weeks for each of two phases.

For the stool analysis parents will be asked to collect samples using a provided stool collection kit which will be then sent to the King’s College Hospital in a stamped address envelop provided for this purpose. Details on how to collect the material will be provided in the stool collection kit (www.bcom.ac.uk/research/autism-study).

The study will consist of 6 treatment sessions, each lasting for circa 30 minutes depending upon the child’s co-operation.

The children will be assessed and treated at their own school or one of the designated clinics shown below. A parent, guardian or designated teacher must be present during application of the techniques which will help the child to be more relaxed and enable good interaction with the researcher.

Any participant may withdraw from the study at any time.

Details of schools and clinics where this study is being undertaken:

•  BCOM clinic in Hampstead, London NW3
•  Notting Hill Osteocare, London W8
•  Specialist schools that have agreed to take part (List available on application)

For detailed information, please contact research@nottinghillosteocare.co.uk or visit www.bcom.ac.uk/research/autism-study