WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?

1. Your Medical History

We’ll have a friendly chat about your present symptoms and medical history, including any illnesses, operations or accidents which have happened to you. This is important so that the osteopath can build a complete picture of your health and understand the kinds of stresses and strains that your body has gone through.

2. The Examination

The next step is the examination, for which it may be necessary to remove some of your outer clothing. It usually involves a simple series of movements of the affected body part to see the range and quality of your movement.

Other parts of the body may also be examined, since pain or problems in one part of the body can affect function elsewhere. An example could be when an issue with the foot causes mechanical changes in the knee or hip. Sometimes, it may also be necessary to look at the cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological systems, much of which can be done without complex equipment.

3. Palpation

The next part of the examination is palpation, where the osteopath uses his or her sense of touch to examine the tissues of the body. The osteopath will be assessing muscle tone and flexibility, soft-tissue pliability, and range and quality of joint motion.

Completion:
Once the examination is complete, the osteopath should reach an official diagnosis and develop a personalised treatment plan unique to your challenges.

Treatment Techniques

Treatment techniques include soft-tissue work to improve blood circulation and flexibility, joint manipulation to improve mobility and to influence nerve function.

Osteopathic treatment should not be painful. The osteopath will ask for your feedback during treatment and alter the technique if necessary. At the end of the first treatment, the osteopath will explain the findings of the exam, what the diagnosis means and what to expect moving forward. You may also be given exercises to do at home and advice on returning to work and sport if necessary.

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

For a simple condition, only a small number of treatments would likely be required. For more complex, chronic problems, more treatment may be necessary. There are some conditions, such as arthritis, which are progressive and unfortunately cannot be reversed. Many patients find that their symptoms can largely be kept at bay by receiving occasional treatment every so often.

Are There Conditions That Can’t Be Treated With Osteopathy?

For a small number of patients, it may be that their condition is not suitable for manual treatment, and you will be referred to the right medical professional. In other cases, the osteopath may have to examine the issue further by carrying out tests such as X-rays or MRI scans before treatment can begin. Again, the osteopath will refer appropriately for this.