What To Expect
When you arrive
Upon arrival, please take a seat and soon you will meet your osteopath.
Consultation
Truly making sense of your story
All initial appointments start with a private consultation where Osteopath begins with understanding how the PAIN is affecting your LIFE and setting a goal on where you are want to be. Then our Osteopath will ask you more about your lifestyle, previous injuries and medical history.
Assessment
Finding the 'TRUE CAUSE' of your pain.
Our Osteopath will start with a postural and movement assessment, then further investigating the adaptations and compensations laid down in your body by the nervous system- looking for the real cause of the symptoms.
Understanding the Assessment
The Osteopath will explain to you all the information in the away that you will understand. Such us;
-
Where the problem of your pain is
-
What we can do about it
-
Create a plan to achieve your desired goal and what is necessary for you to do to get back to what you want to be able to do, e.g. running again.
The number of treatments you may need will depend on the nature of your symptoms, lifestyle and influencing factors but our Osteopath will discuss this at your first appointment and evaluate as treatment progresses.
Based on consultation and examination, our Osteopath will decide whether osteopathy is what you need. If any additional investigations are necessary, you will be referred for X-ray, ultrasound or to another health care practitioner.
Treatment
After understanding the assessment explanations by the Osteopath, and once you are happy with your treatment strategy, then is time for your treatment. The osteopath will seek your consent before undertaking treatment.
Our Osteopath uses hands-on treatment general osteopathic techniques as a framework and specific therapeutic techniques to treat the location of the pain and most importantly, the areas that contribute and causing to your pain.
The purpose is to restore structural misalignments (pelvis, spine), connective tissue tension (muscles, tendons, ligaments) and improve mobility in restricted joints. The Osteopath will further work on restoring the body's ability to tolerate load under low-intensity exercises by stimulating inhibited muscles so they can fully engage in a day-to-day or sport activities.
Standard treatment may involve; Gentle Spinal Joint Articulation, Soft/ Deep Tissue Massage, Spinal Joints Adjustment, Muscle Energy & Cranial Techniques, Corrective Exercises and Myofascial Release.
After Treatment
Our Osteopath will tailor specific rehabilitation exercises and practical application on how to improve your posture for quicker recovery. However, depending on your symptoms, they may be given at subsequent appointments.
Advice will be provided, depending on individual needs.
What can you expect after treatment when you leave the clinic?
The body should start to heal itself. Low-grade inflammation may occur around the treated area. This is a natural response by the body, but can produce pain and stiffness, usually for 12- 48h after treatment.
The body should be able to move better. If the body has been immobile, then surrounding muscles and ligaments will be made to move in a more normal but different way. This can cause discomfort or pain until these tissues settle down to a new way of working. You may be alarmed by this apparent backwards step, but this process is normal and does not happen in all cases. The reaction and time-spans can vary from person to person.
Take care from 12 to 48 hours after treatment. Avoid overexerting yourself, lifting or awkward bending and twisting, even if you feel better. Your body will be vulnerable to exacerbation of your pain or injury. Movement without strain and in pain-free range will help and will stop your body 'seizing up'. Remember the saying 'Use it or lose it but never abuse it'.
When you rest, try to find the most comfortable position. Discomfort is your body telling you that it does not like that position.
After 48 hours, the pain should start to ease, and you should report a fair improvement on your next visit. It is essential to complete the plan of treatment, be guided by your Osteopath and keep to your treatment prescription. If you are worried that your progress is not as you expect, please contact your Osteopath to discuss the situation.