Osteopathy
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of assessment and physical treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. We consider each person as an individual and treatment is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.
Osteopaths work to encourage your body to a state of balance by the use of touch, soft tissue massage, stretching and manipulation.
We also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.
What can Osteopaths Treat?
Common problems we treat...
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Low Back Pain which may or may not include Sciatica
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Neck and Upper Back pain
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Peripheral Joint pain (Shoulder/Elbow/Wrist/Hand/ Hip/ Knee and Foot problems)
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Sports Injuries/ Repetitive Strain injuries/ Work Place Injuries
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Postural Problems
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Stiffness associated with Wear and Tear
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Effects of Trauma e.g. Whiplash
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Headaches
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Musculo-Skeletal symptoms associated with chronic conditions e.g. Asthma and Osteoarthritis.
Osteopaths treat patients of all ages from children to the elderly. Including pregnant women and patients that have Osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a common condition affecting 1 in 3 females and 1 in 5 males. The bones get weaker and are more likely to break. Osteopaths are fully qualified and know how to carry out treatment without causing you any risk. They would never manipulate a patient with Osteoporosis. A wide range of techniques can be used as a source of pain relief.
Your First Treatment
The format for visiting an osteopath is fairly similar, regardless of which one you go to. Your osteopath will go through a case history followed by general and more specific medical questions. Some of the questions may seem somewhat unrelated, for example how long is your commute to work and how do you usually do this, or questions about your diet etc. Osteopaths treat conditions in many ways and a full a picture as possible is needed to be able to treat your condition as effectively and safely as possible.
Please bring along any information you may have relating to medication that you may be taking and any results of tests, scans or x-rays that you have undergone as may be useful to the Osteopath.
An examination will follow, usually needing partial undressing. Even for problems in the upper body, for example shoulders or neck, a full standing examination is needed as posture can significantly influence the upper body. Shorts, legins or small tops can be worn in the consideration of modesty. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable during your treatment. The Osteopath will use Blankets and Towels to also cover modesty on the treatment couch.
Osteopaths use their hands to assess areas tension, tenderness, restriction or strain and will perform various passive stretching movements to your joints to evaluate your mobility. Once your Osteopath has arrived at a diagnosis they will explain in detail what has gone wrong, often using models, pictures and diagrams to aid your understanding.
Your Osteopath will explain the most appropriate osteopathic treatment for you and give you an indication of how many treatments you are likely to need and how long it will take to improve your condition. It is procedure that if there is no significant improvement within six treatments we reassess your case.
If your osteopath is concerned about the potential of a more serious underlying condition you will be referred to the most appropriate specialist or referred back to your doctor for further investigations. In most cases we are able to commence treatment immediately.
The Osteopathic treatment normally takes the form of soft tissue massage, articulation, stretches and manipulation, however, treatment is different for every patient and depends on your age, fitness and diagnosis.
Post treatment exercises and postural advice may be given.
Reaction to treatment
Research has shown that frequently patients may feel some degree of aching following Osteopathic treatment, either at the site of the existing complaint or in some other area. This normally lasts for between 24-48 hours.
Although more intense symptoms are very rare, it is important that we know if any you experience any aggravation in your symptom pattern. If you are concerned in any way please call the clinic. Please leave a message if i'm unable to answer and I shall call you back as soon as possible.