Philip Bayliss, Osteopath (Christchurch)

Philip is an ACC provider of osteopath services, has 24 years experience and has some of the lowest osteopath fees in Christchurch. The text below has information about Philips training, a description of osteopathy and osteopathic treatment, ACC, his fees, and some of the problems that he offers osteopathy for. More details, photos and a map are on the christchurchosteopathy website, there is a link at the bottom of this page. E-booking can done via the website.

Philip trained at the British School of Osteopathy, graduating in 1986. As a student, Philip had a special interest in, and did extra clinics, in orthopaedics, sports injuries, and the osteopathic care of pregnant women, babies and children. You will always receive your osteopathic treatment from Philip himself and never from a locum, associate or junior osteopath.

At your first consultation, Philip will take your history and examine you, including any osteopathic, orthopaedic and neurological tests needed. He may refer you directly for an x-ray or ultrasound scan if this is needed. He will explain all results to you. Philip is highly skilled in diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of pain in the body. The whole body is taken into account, and the underlying causes are treated, not just the painful spot. Most back pain, neck pain, joint and limb pains, headaches and migraines are due to sprains and dysfunction of muscles and joints. Osteopaths are trained to seek these out by using both observation and a highly developed sense of touch, which enables them to detect the smallest changes in muscular tension and joint mobility.

Philip uses a wide range of osteopathic techniques, including gentle manipulation, cranial osteopathy (cranio sacral therapy) , and soft tissue techniques such as massage, fascial release and muscle-energy, in order to optimise the functioning of the body and enable the innate self-healing ability of the body to do its work. Every osteopathic treatment is different and is designed specifically for the needs of the patient at that time. Advice may also be given on diet, exercise and posture as well as on how to avoid future problems. This caring and holistic approach to osteopathy can help you and your family achieve the highest possible level of health and well-being at any time of life. If you have a problem that can't be helped by osteopath treatment, you will be referred to a suitable practitioner.

ACC
You don’t need to have a GP referral to see an osteopath on ACC. An osteopath can help you can make a new ACC claim if you have an injury that is the result of an accident which happened within the last year. ACC contributes to the cost of osteopath treatment of everyone, of any age, both working and not working, for all injuries that result from an accident (both major and minor) that occurred at work, at home, playing sports or driving. The accident must involve an external force or resistance. This can include road traffic accidents, sports injuries, carrying something, lifting, pushing or pulling something, or falling and hitting something or something hitting you. ACC does not cover bending or twisting if no external force or resistance is involved, even if the injury occurred at work. You must start your osteopath treatment within one year of the accident date, and complete your osteopath treatments within 52 weeks of your first osteopath consultation. You are usually limited to 16 osteopath treatments for each accident that has been accepted by ACC. ACC does not fully fund osteopath treatment, so a top-up payment is payable by the patient.

If your injury is work related, please let your osteopath know whether your employer is an 'accredited employer' in the ACC Partnership Programme (these are all large companies). This means that they take responsibility for their employees' work injury claims. If you don't know, please ask your employer. Accredited employers (or their insurance companies) usually allow fewer osteopath treatments than ACC does, for similar injuries. It is an OSH requirement that if you have an injury at work, that you should complete an incident report at your work place.

Consultation Fees
St Albans Osteopathy has some of the most competitive fees in Christchurch, with no extra charge for the initial consultation.
The practice does not have EFTPOS or credit card facilities. Please pay by either cash, cheque or internet banking at the time of your appointment.
Fees, when paid at the time of your appointment:
Adult
Private consultation $50
ACC top up payment $25
Child
Private consultation $40
ACC top up payment $20
There is a surcharge when the fee is not paid at the time of your appointment of $5.
Please give at least 24 hours notice if you wish to cancel or reschedule. There is no fee for rescheduling within 24 hours, but please help others by giving as much notice as possible. If you miss an appointment or cancel (without re-booking) with less than 24 hours notice, there is a charge of $25.

Location
Thames Street runs between Innes Road and Westminster Street, 3 streets to the east of Cranford Street. Number 43 (St Albans Osteopathy) is opposite Norah Street.

Headaches and migraines
99% of headaches are cervicogenic headaches, tension headaches or migraines. Cervicogenic headaches are due to sprains and dysfunction of the joints between the cervical vertebrae causing excess muscle tension. These muscles attach to the membranes of the skull causing a headache. Tension headaches are due to stress causing the muscles of the neck to contract. This increase in pressure often causes joints of the cervical spine with sub-clinical strains to become inflamed. Osteopathic treatment is very effective at resolving the joint strains and dysfunction and relieving the tight muscles of cevicogenic and tension headaches. The techniques that Philip uses are very gentle and precise and never involve a sudden twisting of the neck. A migraine is caused by a disturbance in the blood flow to the brain. The cause of this disturbed blood flow can be cervicogenic, be due to tension, or be biochemical (this includes food sensitivities). Osteopathy can help relieve migraines, whatever the cause. Osteopathic treatment can be helpful at preventing cervicogenic headaches and migraines.

Pregnancy
Osteopathic treatment is possible at all stages of pregnancy, in the position that is most comfortable. The techniques Philip uses during pregnancy are totally safe for your baby. Changes in weight distribution and posture together with softening of ligaments caused by pregnancy hormones can make joints more susceptible to strains. This can cause pain in the low back, buttocks, groins, legs, ribcage or upper back. Also, childbirth itself often causes lumbar and pelvic strains especially with an epidural and/or an assisted delivery. Feeding and carrying the baby can cause strains. The good news is that all these problems respond very well to osteopath treatment! Philip is very experienced in treating women when pregnant and after childbirth, and uses very gentle techniques. There is absolutely no danger to the baby, and in fact osteopathic treatment when pregnant may aid the childbirth.

Babies
Osteopathy is useful for problems such as colic, constant screaming, reflux, constipation, feeding difficulties or a flat or distorted head. Philip can check if your baby has any pressure in the head, or strain in the neck or back, or tension in the diaphragm, and he can help reduce irritability of the nervous system. It is highly recommended that you take your baby to an osteopath if your baby should have a fall and is distressed afterwards. Many parents choose to have an osteopath give their baby a post-natal check-up.

Children
Children can have many of the injuries that adults have, and a few specific to children. Children frequently sprain a ligament or joint when playing. Untreated childhood sprains can lead to osteo-arthritis and chronic pain later in life. Growing is usually a pain free process, and 'growing pains' respond well to osteopath treatment, as does scoliosis or curvature of the spine. Osteopathic treatment can help glue ear and ear infections by improving the drainage of fluid through the Eustachian tube. Osteopath treatment can't cure asthma, but it can help sufferers breath more easily. Children under 16 must be accompanied either by their parent or their caregiver (who must be at least 18 years old).

Seniors
Seniors also benefit from osteopathic treatment. Often symptoms are attributed to arthritis or the aging process and go untreated, but they can usually be helped. Osteo-arthritis is usually thought or as wear and tear of the joints, but this is not the whole story. Often people have a lot of wear and tear in their joints, but no pain. Then they strain some part of their body, have an x-ray, and are told that they have arthritis and that nothing can be done except take drugs. However, if they had had an x-ray prior to the strain or accident, when they had no symptoms, it would have looked exactly the same. The fact is, it is much easier to strain a worn joint, and it often needs a very skilled practitioner to help them recover. This is where a skilled and experienced osteopath comes in. Philip uses gentle techniques suitable for the elderly to ease these joints back to normal function and relieve tight and aching muscles. He can also advise you on nutritional supplements that may be beneficial for arthritis.

Sports Injuries
Osteopathy is invaluable both in treating sports injuries and helping professional and amateur sports people and athletes obtain peak performance and prevent injuries. Philip takes the whole body into consideration, obtaining optimal alignment and mobility of all joint and the correct muscle balance, which are coupled with both strengthening and stretching exercises that are specific to the persons sport and body type. Philip used to work at the British School of Osteopathy Sports Clinic where, amongst others, he treated Olympic athletes and professional sports persons.