What does an Osteopath do?

Here at Cardiff Pain & Performance our Osteopaths work to assess you as whole person, considering your medical and injury history to figure out WHY your pain has not gone away. We then specialise in using Neurological techniques to de-sensitise the Nervous System.

What do Osteopaths treat?

We treat and help a range of conditions from Back & Neck Pain, Headaches, Sciatica, Joint pain, muscle pain, sports injuries and more.

What is the difference between a Chiropractor and an Osteopath?

Here at Cardiff Pain & Performance our Osteopaths and Chiropractors work in the same way, we use our unique 5 step process to get you back to pain free as fast as possible. Unlike conventional Chiropractors and Osteopaths, we rely less on Manipulation and Massage to help your Pain.

Can an Osteopath help with Sciatica?

We are experts in helping understand the source of your Sciatica, which can be due to a multitude of reasons. We then build you an individualised treatment plan based on your unique history. The aim is to eventually build up the strength in the area to prevent reoccurrence.

Can an Osteopath help with back pain?

Back Pain is what we do! As primary healthcare professionals we are trained to diagnose and treat a range of musculoskeletal issues, and back pain is the most common. Very often though, the Back is not necessarily the “bad” guy. Instead it is common that the muscles around the Back are tightening to protect you, and compensate for a past injury elsewhere. Our job is to identify where the real problem is, and fix it.

What should I wear when seeing an Osteopath?

We ask patients to wear loose comfortable clothing such as active or sports wear to the Clinic. You will not be required to undress, but we will need to move you around, so loose clothing is preferrable.

Do Osteopaths treat sports injuries?

Yes. Most Sports Injuries are an over use based injury, such as a Tendonitis. This means that there is something mechanical going wrong, and one area is being overused, versus an area being underused. The key is to figure out, where did this begin? The story to your injury likely started a long time before you felt any pain.. Taking an in depth injury history will help us isolate the source of your comaplaint.

Chiropractic Care

Our 5-Step Chiropractic Approach to Lasting Pain Relief

At our clinic, we take a unique 5-step approach to chiropractic care. Our method goes beyond hands-on treatment to include personalised exercises, strengthening techniques, and education. This holistic strategy ensures every aspect of your recovery is addressed.

Hands-on care combined with corrective exercises and education
Root-cause diagnosis for back, neck, and joint issues
Integration of traditional chiropractic methods with modern rehab science
Supportive, personalised guidance through every stage of recovery

Advanced Techniques for Pain, Mobility & Performance

We use evidence-based techniques to treat muscle, joint, and nerve pain quickly and effectively, including:

Precision Adjustments: Restoring spinal and joint alignment to relieve pressure and improve movement.
Neurology-Focused Care (P-DTR®): The only clinic in the world with two certified P-DTR instructors on-site, addressing chronic pain at the nervous system level.
Laser Therapy (Thor Red Light): Accelerates healing and reduces inflammation.

Want Help to Decide if we are Right For You?

Common Conditions We Treat

Back Pain

Our team are highly trained in diagnosing and treating low back pain, including acute muscle strains, disc injuries, sciatica, chronic pain, arthritis, and more.

We recognise that when the back hurts “for no apparent reason,” it is often compensating for an underlying issue. In these cases, the back is the “good guy,” working to adapt. Our role is to identify the true source of your discomfort and provide targeted treatment to address it.

Neck Pain

We are trained as primary healthcare practitioners to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues, including neck pain. The first step is understanding why you are experiencing the problem. This involves determining if you have a structural issue, such as:

Disc prolapse
Degeneration
Ligament tear or strain

If a structural issue is identified, we will diagnose it and create a tailored recovery plan to support healing. Most injuries should fully heal and be pain-free within six months.

However, if pain persists beyond six months, the injury itself has likely healed, but the nervous system continues to signal pain as a protective mechanism. This is known as chronic pain, which requires a more in-depth approach to resolve.

Headaches and Migraines

Headaches and migraines are two very separate conditions. Headaches can be classified into various types, including tension headaches, cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches, and cluster headaches. Migraines, on the other hand, are a specific type of headache often accompanied by additional symptoms such as visual disturbances, tingling, and neurological changes.

Our role is to accurately diagnose the type of headache you are experiencing so we can provide the most effective treatment.

At our clinic, we use advanced RightEye technology to gain a deeper understanding of how your eyes and ears function.

Sciatica and nerve-related issues

Sciatica is often misunderstood. It occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of the leg to the foot, becomes compressed or irritated. Many people with back pain are incorrectly told they have sciatica when they actually do not.

The sciatic nerve can become irritated due to various factors, including degeneration, muscle tension, disc bulges, and more. When affected, it can cause sharp, shooting, electric shock-like pain down the back of the leg, often accompanied by tingling or numbness.

We use a range of techniques to support the nerve’s healing and help you regain function. Our unique 5-Step Process begins with Thor Red Light Laser therapy to promote initial healing. We then use hands-on techniques to reduce pain, restore movement, and calm the body.

Meet the Team

Stephen Osborne

Co-Owner and Chiropractor

Steve graduated from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic in 2006 and has a passion for helping those in pain. He uses neurology, movement, and strength training to help the body function better and recover faster.

Steve has three children and in his spare time he enjoys Kitesurfing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and rock-climbing.

Council of Certified Extremity Adjusters
Member British Chiropractic Association
Member of Royal College of Chiropractic
Registered General Chiropractic Association
Anatomy in Motion® Practitioner
P-DTR® Practitioner / Teacher

Jack Straw

Associate Chiropractor

Jack graduated with a Masters (MChiro) from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic. He strives to provide a holistic approach to his care by considering each patient’s individual needs to create tailored treatment plans.

Jack’s passion for gym and rugby training means that he has a breadth of knowledge with functional rehabilitation and providing lifestyle advice to help others reach their target goals

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

How to Prepare for Your Appointment

New patients are encouraged to complete the online intake form before their visit. You’ll find a link to this form in the confirmation email and text you receive upon booking. Filling it out in advance allows us to review your case and gain a better understanding of your concerns before your appointment.

This preparation ensures more time during your consultation can be focused on examining your complaint and starting your treatment.

We recommend wearing comfortable, flexible clothing, such as sportswear, to allow for ease of movement during your assessment.

Your appointment will begin with a discussion about your concerns, followed by a thorough examination. We’ll assess how you stand and move, check your muscles and joints, and investigate any hidden factors contributing to your issue.

Once we’ve identified the root cause, we’ll sit down with you to explain our findings and outline a personalised treatment plan to guide your recovery.

FAQs

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about our chiropractic care:

What is a Chiropractor?

Chiropractors are healthcare professionals that look to desensitise the nervous system, reduce inflammation and use movement to promote healing.

What does a chiropractor do?

Chiropractors take a hands-on approach to assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal disorders. They employ a range of techniques, including spinal adjustments and soft tissue therapy, to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance overall function.

What do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors treat a wide range of conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. Our clinic specialises in treating chronic, unresolved pain.

Can a chiropractor help with Sciatica?

Yes, chiropractors can help relieve the pain and discomfort associated with sciatica. They aim to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and improve the function of the spine and nervous system.

Can a chiropractor help with back pain?

Chiropractors can diagnose and treat various back pain issues, such as sciatica, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis.

Is a chiropractor a doctor?

Chiropractors are considered healthcare professionals but they are not medical doctors. Our chiropractors are licensed by the General Chiropractic Council, members of the British Chiropractic Association, and fully insured to provide chiropractic care.