Osteopathic Orthopaedic Center in Vrilissia

Osteopathy is a system for diagnosing and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and the problems that can arise from them. It was founded in the late 19th century by Andrew Taylor Still, on three core principles:

• The body is a unit.
• Structure and function are interrelated.
• The body has the capacity for self-regulation, self-healing, and maintaining health.

Treatment planning and diagnosis are grounded in modern medical knowledge and the principles of Osteopathy, aiming for the wellbeing that comes from the smooth functioning of the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue of the body.

An Osteopath aims to bring the body into balance, allowing its self-regulating mechanisms to act, through touch, specialised manipulation, mobilisation, stretching and muscle massage — increasing joint mobility and relaxing overly tense muscles. This reduces inflammation through improved blood flow and nerve function, which leads to reduced pain. Once the primary goal of pain relief is achieved, the next step is identifying the underlying cause of the problem, to help prevent it recurring.

How is Osteopathy different from physiotherapy or chiropractic?

This is the question every Osteopath hears most often — understandably, since Osteopathy isn't as widespread in Greece as it is in countries like England or France. The answer is a nuanced one, both because the three disciplines deal with related conditions, and because of each practitioner's individual style; each discipline rests on different theoretical foundations, and that's where their differences stem from.

Physiotherapy, for example, treating a patient with lower back pain, will typically use equipment (diathermy, TENS, laser or ultrasound), mobilisations and exercises. A chiropractor will focus on the function of the spine, with treatment built around manipulation techniques. Osteopathy doesn't focus only on the obvious symptoms, but looks at the patient's overall picture, trying to identify the mechanical or functional causes that created the problem in the first place.

Every practitioner, of course, may work a little differently — an Osteopath might place particular emphasis on the spine, the way a chiropractor would, or a physiotherapist might assess a patient holistically. Each practitioner's training and experience is what shapes the right choice of technique and approach for each case — a genuinely individualised treatment. Patients, for their part, are best served by finding the approach that suits them, and the practitioner who gives them confidence and trust.

Our own philosophy is that, by the end of your first session, you should have a clear explanation of your problem and what caused it — which helps prevent it recurring. Understanding the problem helps with prevention, which is why we make sure you're clearly informed, so that together we can give you the tools to deal with it, now and in the future.

Osteopathy treats both adults and children, aiming to improve biomechanical dysfunctions of the body, as well as functional disorders of the body that can be influenced by them (e.g. asthma, scoliosis, etc.).

Treatment is designed and applied either to "correct" restricted structures or to restore the body's overall function, aiming for smooth functioning and improved health for the patient. Treatments are individualised and adapted to each patient's needs and particulars. Osteopathy can also work alongside other specialities, in cooperation with orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists, gynaecologists and others, for the best possible outcome.

Some of the most common problems our treatments help with:

• General aches and pains
• Joint pain (e.g. knee, hip or lower back osteoarthritis, disc herniation)
• Acute or chronic lower back or neck pain (sciatica and "neck syndrome")
• Cervicogenic headaches and migraines
• Shoulder pain of various causes
• Epicondylitis
• Muscle spasms and strains
• Sprains
• Sports injuries
• The musculoskeletal side of asthma
• Cramps
• Neuralgia
• Digestive dysfunction

PRP therapy (Platelet-Rich Plasma) offers a promising solution for faster healing of musculoskeletal injuries, in a natural way and without risk to the patient. The treatment is carried out by drawing a small amount of the patient's own blood, which after centrifugation and isolation of the platelets is injected into the affected area, reducing chronic pain and speeding up recovery.

Why choose PRP therapy?

The treatment relies on the human body's own ability to heal itself. It uses platelets — cells known for their role in blood clotting — which, once activated, release growth factors (healing proteins) that accelerate the recovery process.

The injection is delivered to the area of pain with great precision, and the treatment's effect continues for around 7 days. It has proven results in providing fast relief from acute and chronic pain, and is a widely used practice thanks to how quickly it gets patients back to daily activities or sport.

What to expect

The procedure takes about 45 minutes and is carried out at our clinic. No hospital stay or special care or precautions are needed after the injection. Using your own blood makes the procedure especially safe, as there's no risk of allergy or hypersensitivity. Depending on how the patient progresses and how long-standing the problem is, treatment can be repeated up to 5 times, roughly every 7 days.