Can Osteopathy help with coughs and colds?

It’s coming to that time of year, the weather is changing, and our bodies must prepare for the upcoming winter and rid itself of excesses it may have accumulated throughout the summer.

The easiest way for the body to do this, is to have a good old clear out. And the easiest way to achieve this, is through developing a runny nose and productive cough to aid with the cleanse.

How can Osteopathy help alleviate the symptoms of coughs and colds?

• Improving lymphatic drainage

Throughout the body there are areas where lymph can get congested and constrict your body’s natural healing ability. Osteopathy can help clear congestion in sinuses, and lungs, to help support your body’s immune system.

• Reduce muscle tension

When you are coughing and sneezing, the muscle that are involved in this can tense up, and not function as well, which means recovery from your cold will be delayed further. Improving muscle function in these muscles will aid a quicker recovery.

• Support Breathing Function

Osteopathy can focus on improving the mechanics of breathing such as helping the ribs move better through stretching and manipulations. Improve the movement through the diaphragm with stretching and moblisation of the muscle itself, or improving the nerve supply which comes from the cervical
spine.

• Improving Posture

Try this:
Stand with your head bent forward, with a curve through your upper back, and roll your shoulders forward towards the ground.
Now, holding that posture, take a deep breath.
Difficult, isnt it!

Osteopathy can help to improve your posture, so your body is in a better position to allow you to breath easier, and take that nice deep breath to clear your lungs, and get oxygen into your blood.

Osteopathy is a great way to support your body naturally and safely and to enhance your immune system to help get through this winter.

Get ready for cold and flu season and get ahead of it by booking an appointment with our Osteopathy team here to help your body prepare for winter.