What is Mechanical Link?
Developed over 30 years ago in France, Mechanical Link is an osteopathic method that is traditional yet modern, global and analytical, precise, gentle and safe. It allows the correction of the body’s fascial network.
The fascia
The fascia is connective tissue that provides the entire human body with the ability to adjust its structural strength and flexibility. It connects things together — hence its name.
Try to think of the fascia running throughout the body as being like a spider’s web. If one part is under tension, the whole web — or body tension pattern — has to change. The fascia’s ability to change its flexibility, according to how we use our bodies, allows us to compensate for injury.
That is why mechanical pain can at times rectify itself without treatment, yet can reappear for no apparent reason. There is a reason: mechanical pain recurs when an accumulation of several factors, or a single incident, puts a severe strain on the system. The body fails — or only partially succeeds — in absorbing all the structural changes, so that the tension pattern one has settled into requires one part to move in a dysfunctional manner, possibly at the cost of your body’s health. At these times it may be necessary for assistance to help set the body on course.
Mechanical Link enables the fascial network to return towards its normal state, and permits patients to tension themselves properly once again. The body regains its freedom of movement along with the ability to self-compensate.
The “Recoil” technique
The technique used to adjust the body is called “Recoil”. It is so gentle in pressure that it can be applied to people of all ages, including sports people, very elderly patients, pregnant women, babies, children, teenagers and those with structural pathologies such as osteoporosis.
Examination
The examination is by far the most important part of the consultation. A soft pressure is applied over a number of specific points all over the body, to identify which areas need to be treated.
Treatment
Treatment seeks to encourage the body to restore its own normal structural balance and hence optimum function. It is often applied to specific points that are at times distant from the site of pain or of other symptoms. The treatment is remarkably safe, gentle, effective and long-lasting.
Most of our patients attending the clinic not only realise the efficacy of Mechanical Link when they are in pain, but also recognise the value of preventative consultations — for example 2–4 times a year — to help the body regain and maintain the ability to adapt and compensate, before that capacity has been exhausted and discomfort returns.
Our aim at Langham
At the Langham Clinic it is our aim to treat you and your children the most successful and most comfortable way. The therapeutic intention is oriented to be non-invasive, and you or your children will be given ergonomic advice and, wherever appropriate, exercises.
People are not commonly aware of the variety of problems osteopathy and physiotherapy can address. We are always willing to give you advice as to whether we can help you.