FAQs | The Back Pain Clinic. Osteopathy and traditional Chinese Acupuncture

What is an osteopath?

People know us best for our work with bad backs, however Osteopaths specialise in most musculoskeletal disease and pain. This means not just back pain like lower back pain or neck pain but many conditions and diseases associated with muscles, joints, nerve diseases and postural problems.

Osteopaths use manual therapy, in particular manipulation, to improve spinal mobility, reduce inflammation and pain and improve posture and co-ordination.

Osteopaths have to complete 4-5 years of study, including 1000 hours of clinical practice, before sitting a degree qualification, they then have to register with the General Osteopathic Council, or GOsC before they are allowed to practice. The GOsC ensure that the osteopaths skills are kept up-to-date, that we are safe to practice and conform to their high standards and that the practitioner is fully insured.

What conditions do osteopaths treat?

Primarily we are back specialists dealing with any painful or postural condition arising from the back or neck, such as:

Neck Pain, stiff neck, reduced range of movement, trapped nerve.
Upper back pain, shoulder pain, costo conduits, rib pain.
Mid back pain or thoracic pain.
Lower back pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatism, lumbago, wear and tear, spinal degeneration
Disc pain (slipped disc, prolapsed disc, bulging disc, disc degeneration, disc bulge)
Sciatica, sciatic pain, inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Buttock pain, gluteal pain, piriformis syndrome, pubic symphysis syndrome.

In addition Mark Tittle also has a very good results treating:

Head aches and Migraines.
Jaw pain.
Frozen shoulder.
Tennis elbow
Arthritis of the hand
Hip pain and arthritis
Knee pain and arthritis
Painful feet, plantar fasciitis
Panic and anxiety attacks
Irritable bowel syndrome

Who is Mark Tittle and how does he practice?

I qualified as a Traditional Chinese Acupuncturist in 1991 and then as an Osteopath in 2002 and founded the back Pain Clinic in Sydenham in the same year.

Over the years I have found a lot of painful conditions would have been avoidable if the patient knew the correct sitting, standing, lifting, sleeping position etc. I like to spend a little time getting to know my patients in order to better understand how they developed their painful condition in the first place. This puts me a good position to offer advice on how to prevent the condition from reoccurring.

I will also provide exercises to assist the treatment program and to prevent further relapses.

How long is a session?

First session is 45 mins long. You will be required to fill in a form, answer some questions about your problem and then you will undergo a physical examination: You may be asked to undress to your underwear, but gowns are always provided, however if at any time you do not wish to undress we will still be happy to help you. You may bring some one along to act as a chaperone or one can be provided by us if required, (advance notice necessary).

If any follow up sessions are required these last between 30 and 40 mins.