Osteopathy treatment

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a way of detecting, treating and preventing health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints.

Osteopathic treatment does not target symptoms only but treats the parts of the body that have caused the symptoms. Osteopaths have a holistic approach and believe the whole body will work well if it is in good structural balance.

Osteopaths use a range of techniques but do not use drugs or surgery. Instead techniques including massage, stretching, pressure work, manipulation and mobilisation of the joints help to decrease stress and minimise pain.

Osteopathy could help ease the symptoms of:

• Generalised aches and pains
• Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis
• Arthritic pain
• General, acute & chronic backache, back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
• Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain (as opposed to neck pain following injury i.e. whiplash)
• Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic) / migraine prevention)
• Frozen shoulder/ shoulder and elbow pain/ tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck, but not isolated occurrences
• Circulatory problems,
• Cramp
• Digestion problems
• Joint pains, lumbago
• Sciatica
• Muscle spasms
• Neuralgia
• Fibromyalgia
• Inability to relax
• Rheumatic pain
• Minor sports injuries and tensions

What happens at the first appointment?

Your osteopath will ask a series of questions to fully understand your medical history, day-to-day routine, diet and exercise. They will then look at your posture and how you move your body, to assess what hurts and when. They may also find areas which are sensitive or tight and this helps to identify and diagnose your condition.

Your treatment

Osteopaths use a wide range of gentle manipulations, depending on your age, fitness and diagnosis.

Treatment is different for every patient but may include techniques such as different types of soft tissue massage and joint articulation to release tension, stretch muscles, help relieve pain and mobilise your joints.

Your osteopath may also discuss exercises that you can do to improve your posture and movement in your workplace and at home.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you need depends on the condition and person we are treating however your osteopath will be able to tell you how many appointments you are likely to need after the initial diagnosis.