WHAT HAPPENS?
What happens at your appointment?
During your first osteopathy session, you will be required to fill in a medical form, and to sign a consent form. Then the osteopath will ask about your symptoms, general health and any other medical care you are receiving before carrying out a physical examination.
The osteopath will use their hands to find areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain within your body.
With your consent, you will be required to remove some clothing from the area being examined, and you will be asked to perform simple movements.
You then be able to discuss whether osteopathy can help treat the problem and, if so, what the treatment programme should involve.
Osteopaths are trained to identify when a patient needs to be referred to a GP or needs further tests, such as MRI scans or blood tests, to help to diagnose the problem.
An osteopath aims to restore the normal function and stability of the joints to help the body heal itself.
They use their hands to treat your body in a variety of ways, using a mixture of gentle and forceful techniques.
Techniques are chosen based on the individual patient and the symptoms they have reported.
All of the osteopathic techniques aim to reduce pain, improve movement and encourage blood flow.
Osteopathy isn’t usually painful, although it’s not unusual to feel sore or stiff in the first few days after the treatment, particularly if you are having treatment for a painful or inflamed injury.
Your osteopath will explain whether you are likely to have any reactions. If you feel any pain during or after treatment, tell your osteopath. You may be given advice on self-help and exercise to aid your recovery and prevent symptoms returning or getting worse.
In general, the first appointment will last 30-45 mins, further treatments last around 30 minutes. Your course of treatment will depend on your symptoms.