What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with both the structure and function of the body and 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 use touch, physical manipulation, stretching, and massage to increase the mobility of joints, relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to the tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanism. The Osteopath may also provide advice on posture and exercises in order to aid recovery, promote health, and to prevent symptoms reoccurring.
Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching, and massage to increase the mobility of joints, relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to the tissues, and to help your body’s own healing mechanism. The Osteopath may also provide advice on posture and exercises in order to aid recovery, promote health, and to prevent symptoms reoccurring.
What To Expect
The first consultation will last roughly 1 hour, and will include questions regarding symptoms, medical history, lifestyle, and general health. Sometimes it may be beneficial to bring a list of any medication or information on your previous medical issues if it has been extensive.
Following this, a physical examination is performed, often involving the osteopath touching the areas of the body where you are experiencing pain, along with asking you to go through various movements. Sometimes further examinations are required, such as assessment of the cardiovascular and other systems. It may be necessary to remove some items of clothing in order to see and touch the areas of pain. If you are uncomfortable undressing to your underwear, then you may bring a pair of loose fitting shorts and t-shirt/vest, but we will always have plenty of towels to keep you covered.
The osteopath will then make a diagnosis and discuss a course of treatment with you. This may involve a combination of visiting them a few times for manual therapy, some home exercises, or some lifestyle changes. The manual therapy aspect is intended to be as painless as possible, however, you may experience some discomfort during and after treatment. The osteopath will warn you if they think the technique may cause some discomfort, and will stop if you tell them you are feeling too much pain.
The follow-up appointments, lasting up to 30mins, consists of a discussion since your last appointment along with a physical assessment, with the majority of the time spent on treatment.
Following this, a physical examination is performed, often involving the osteopath touching the areas of the body where you are experiencing pain, along with asking you to go through various movements. Sometimes further examinations are required, such as assessment of the cardiovascular and other systems. It may be necessary to remove some items of clothing in order to see and touch the areas of pain. If you are uncomfortable undressing to your underwear, then you may bring a pair of loose fitting shorts and t-shirt/vest, but we will always have plenty of towels to keep you covered.
The osteopath will then make a diagnosis and discuss a course of treatment with you. This may involve a combination of visiting them a few times for manual therapy, some home exercises, or some lifestyle changes. The manual therapy aspect is intended to be as painless as possible, however, you may experience some discomfort during and after treatment. The osteopath will warn you if they think the technique may cause some discomfort, and will stop if you tell them you are feeling too much pain.
The follow-up appointments, lasting up to 30mins, consists of a discussion since your last appointment along with a physical assessment, with the majority of the time spent on treatment.
What We Treat
Osteopathy can treat a wide range of muscular-skeletal conditions, but some patients have also found Osteopathy helpful for other conditions such as digestive and circulatory issues. Common conditions include:
- General Aches & Pains
- Headaches
- Migraine Prevention
- Arthritis Symptoms
- Frozen Shoulder
- Digestion Issues
- Acute & Chronic Backpain
- Joint Pain
- Sports Injuries
- Sciatica
If you are uncertain if Osteopathy is suitable for yourself, then don't hesitate to get in contact with us.
You may also be interested in a comprehensive list of what an Osteopath can treat.
- General Aches & Pains
- Headaches
- Migraine Prevention
- Arthritis Symptoms
- Frozen Shoulder
- Digestion Issues
- Acute & Chronic Backpain
- Joint Pain
- Sports Injuries
- Sciatica
If you are uncertain if Osteopathy is suitable for yourself, then don't hesitate to get in contact with us.
You may also be interested in a comprehensive list of what an Osteopath can treat.