What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an established system of clinical diagnosis and manual treatment, which examines the whole of the person, not just the symptoms, in searching for the cause of the problem.

In particular, Osteopathy is concerned with the function and movement of the many inter-related structures and tissues in the body. Osteopaths can detect and treat injured tissues such as muscles, ligaments, nerves, joints, and deeper connective tissue. By restoring the natural movement patterns in these tissues, many conditions throughout the body can be addressed.
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Osteopathy is well known for the treatment of back, neck and shoulder problems. It also works very well on any area of the body, including extremities and the abdomen. As a holistic approach to health and wellness, all ages can benefit from the treatment, from the newborn to adults and the elderly.

What Is Cranial Osteopathy

Cranial Osteopathy is a gentle, non-invasive Osteopathic approach for the whole body. 

Our cranial Osteopaths have had extensive further postgraduate training in this skill. They use a finely tuned sense of touch to feel specific motion in the head, spine, muscles, joints, connective tissue, nervous system and fluid layers of the body. 

Disturbed patterns of internal movement, tension and imbalance affect the state of health. The cranial osteopath can work with the body to unwind these often complex, old and deep patterns of strain, supporting the body’s own self-healing mechanism. The result is to re-establish ease through the musculo-skeletal, nervous, immune, and circulatory systems. 

Our Osteopaths

Charlotte Dumper- BHSc, MHsc (Osteopathy)
Reg Osteopath, ACC Treatment provider

Charlotte completed 5 years of Osteopathic training from Victoria University, Melbourne with a Bachelor in Clinical Sciences (1998) and a Masters in Health Sciences/Osteopathy (2000). She has since worked in Osteopathic clinics in NZ and the UK, and as a volunteer at the UK charity, the Osteopathic Centre for Children. Charlotte has been the Director of Oceanic Osteopathy since 2012. She is committed to regular ongoing post-graduate course work.

Charlotte specialises in using gentler, indirect treatment with patients of all ages and ailments. She has a passion for working with the family unit, especially the treatment of mothers, babies and children. She feels that treatment in the early years can help support important growth periods and give children the very best start.

Her love for Osteopathy began as a child whilst suffering injuries herself  from competitive running. The cranial Osteopathic treatment she received using only the gentlest of touch, kept her pain free and competing through her youth.
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Nowadays she still enjoys running, and other active pursuits, but is always tuning the precious balance of activity, stillness, and time with her young family.

Available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays by appointment

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Ruth Atkinson, BSc (Hons)
​Osteopathy
Reg Osteopath, ACC Treatment provider

Ruth moved to New Zealand in 2001, after completing her undergraduate training at the British School of Osteopathy in London. She worked in practices in central Auckland and the North Shore, and then set up her home practice in 2005. Her postgraduate training has been in NZ and Australia, with the Sutherland Cranial College, and training in Biodynamic Osteopathy. She loves working with children and young people, but also the challenge of general practice, and the diverse issues which present for treatment every day.

Ruth prefers a cranial approach, which uses a light targeted touch to bring about balance. It can have the most immediate/profound effects in newborns, but this is a deep form of healing which is effective for people of all ages.
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We live in a world of chronic stress and busyness. And Ruth finds an important part of Osteopathy is that it allows people to rest and reset. She lives on the West Coast with her children, garden, and cats.

Available Mondays & Wednesdays

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