You do not need a referral to see an osteopath. If you suffer pain then an Osteopath may be able to help you. Some patients visit an Osteopath for what they term as a \”service\”. Whilst not experiencing pain, as such, they recognise that they are not as free in their movement as they could be and would like to improve this before it becomes painful.
A consultation is at least 30 minutes in length and will involve:
- Taking a thorough case and medical history
- Examination of the musculo-skeletal system to determine what muscles, joints or nerves are causing your pain
- Orthopaedic examination of the area of complaint but also all related structures. For example if you have a knee problem we will also routinely assess the ankle, hip, pelvis and lumbar spine for co-existing or predisposing dysfunction.
- Treatment; using a wide range of techniques such as massage, stretching, trigger point therapy, and joint mobilising and manipulation. Osteopaths use a wide variety of hands on techniques to reduce muscle tension and joint stiffness, resolve old strain patterns, and restore balance to the body
- Advice on the management of your condition such as stretching and strengthening exercises, ergonomic advice, and rehabilitation strategies to enhance your recovery and reduce the likelihood of recurrence of your condition.
- Referral to other practitioners if required such as GP’s, Radiologists, Paediatricians, and other health care professionals
This ensures that each person treated is provided with the most effective and appropriate treatment plan and care.
Joint manipulation, or “clicking” of the joints, is just one of the many treatment tools your osteopath has in their toolbox. Our osteopaths are skilled in many different treatment techniques so each treatment is tailored to your needs and your condition. All aspects of your treatment will be discussed with you during your consultation.
What Osteopaths Treat
We can assist you with any pain that is affecting your muscular and/or skeletal systems. This can broadly include:
- Arthritic pain and stiffness
- Spinal pain – new and old injuries, disc problems, joint pain, pelvic and abdominal instability, scoliosis
- Neck pain – tension, whiplash, wry neck
- Headaches – migraines, tension and/or neck related headaches, jaw dysfunction
- Referred pain – such as sciatica, aching/numbness in arms
- Sports injuries – such as tendonitis, tennis or golfers elbow, shin splints etc
- Overuse syndromes – such as RSI of the forearms, and postural pain in the upper back
- Pregnancy related pain
- Elderly – general physical pain and stiffness
