Who’s Who?

We have asked Miriam Elkan, who is qualified in Naturopathy and Osteopathy, to explain who’s who when 
it comes to looking after yourself.

 

	Chiropractor – a professional who looks after joints, bones and muscles, and the effects they have on the nervous system. Working on all the joints of the body, particularly the spine, they use hands for manipulation to improve efficiency of the nervous system and release the body's natural healing ability.  Chiropractic care does not involve the use of any drugs or surgery.
	Naturopath - uses a number of therapies as part of a treatment.  In addition to diet and nutrition, they employ a variety of treatment methods that work with the body’s own healing mechanisms - e.g. bodywork (lymphatic drainage, osteopathic techniques etc) homoeopathy, acupuncture, kinesiology and hydrotherapy.  Through a combination of approaches, they aim to establish health by improving nutrition, detoxification and elimination down to a cellular level.  Naturopaths recognise the importance of addressing ‘maintaining causes’, for example re-educating the patient towards a healthier lifestyle.
	Nutritionist - a health professional with special training in nutrition who can help with dietary choices for general health, weight loss, allergies and to promote lifelong health.  Recommendations may include guidance on natural detoxification, methods to support digestion and absorption, the avoidance of toxins or allergens and the appropriate use of dietary supplements.  Therapists may use a variety of biochemical and functional tests to assist in their diagnosis of the individual needs of a patient.
	Osteopath - a therapist who works with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to help the body’s natural healing ability.  Treating the body with hands-on manipulation allows it to be more balanced and efficient and to function with a minimum of wear and tear.  Osteopathy does not involve the use of any drugs or surgery.
	Physiotherapist - a health care professional concerned with human function and movement, and maximising potential through physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social well-being, taking account of variations in health status.  It is science-based, and the exercise of clinical judgement and informed interpretation is at its core.
	Pilates Instructor – a teacher of the Pilates Method, which represents a unique approach to exercise that develops body awareness, improving and changing the body's postural and alignment habits and increasing flexibility and ease of movement.  The core fundamentals of the Method are based upon a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the human body. Osteopaths, physiotherapists and general practitioners are now recommending Pilates as one of the safest forms of exercise today.
	Sports Massage Therapist - Sports Massage is the term applied to the discipline of using massage for the specific benefit of all sports and exercise participants. It covers the management and manipulation of the soft tissues of the body eg. muscles, ligaments and tendons.  Sports massage should be tailored to each individual’s needs to positively enhance ones ability to perform.