What happens on a visit to the Osteopath?
Despite popular misconceptions that they address only back and neck pain, osteopaths deal with the whole body – from head to toe.
Your first visit will take 45 mins, beginning with a chat about your complaint or injury and details of your medical history (including any medication that you may be taking, lifestyle, work and your exercise routine). This usually takes around 15 minutes but varies depending on each individual.
Following this, you will be asked to undress to your underwear in order for the osteopath to examine and treat you. In order to reach a diagnosis and help you with advice and treatment, we will perform some orthopaedic testing and palpation (a method of feeling with the hands to assess the size, consistency, texture, location and tenderness of an organ or body part).
Treatment consists of different techniques – from massage to stretching and joint mobilization, depending on what is most appropriate. We will always discuss with you our approach before commencing treatment. During treatment, we will make sure you are comfortable at all times. Towels will be supplied to cover any areas that are not being treated.
At the end of the session, we will discuss a treatment plan with you. Depending on the nature of the injury and your lifestyle, some conditions may take just a few treatments to clear whilst others may need longer or regular maintenance.
We will never ask you to pay in advance for treatments or to sign a treatment plan of a certain number of sessions. We will just tell you what we feel is best and what we can honestly do for you.
Sometimes muscular and joint pain may not be the root of the problem and an osteopath will advise clients on the best way to address it or ask permission to talk to your GP and request any necessary tests.
