Questions and answers

Osteopathy is a primary care profession, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders, and the effect of these conditions on patients’ general health. Using many of the diagnostic procedures applied in conventional medical assessment, osteopaths seek to restore the optimal functioning of the body, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopathy is based on the principle that the body has the ability to heal, osteopathic care focuses on the strengthening the musculoskeletal systems to treat existing conditions and to prevent illness. Osteopaths; patient-centred approach to health and well-being means they consider symptoms in the context of the patient’s full medical history, as well as there life style and personal circumstances. The holistic approach ensures that all treatment is tailored to the individual patient.

Firstly a detailed history of the problem you are concerned with will be taken, including past medical history, it would be useful if you could bring any medication you are taking, you may then be examined, so loose easy to remove clothing will help. After the examination I will discuss my findings and reach a diagnosis. If I feel that osteopathic treatment will be of benefit to you, I will start with the treatment on your initial visit and advise you on pain relief and helpful exercises. If I feel that osteopathic treatment will not benefit you for this particular problem I will refer you for the appropriate treatment.

Osteoarthritis is wear and tear of the joint surfaces, the joint generally becomes still and reduced in its range of movement. Osteopathy cannot repair the damaged joint surfaces, but by stretching the ligaments and muscles and improving the joint range of movement, the pain in the joint can be entirely relieved or at least dramatically reduced.

We are all trained in the treatment of muscular skeletal conditions, Osteopaths and chiropractors are more similar in their approach than physiotherapists.

Generally most chiropractors tend to treat the spine only with high velocity thrust techniques and little or no treatment to soft tissues hence treatments are quite short in duration.

Physiotherapists tend to prescribe rehabilitative exercises and very little hands on treatment. GP’s tend to refer to physiotherapists as they are employed by the NHS, but there is notoriously long wait for treatment and during this time period your condition may worsen or become chronic.

Osteopaths will treat the main area causing the problem but will also look at other areas of the body that may have influence on the problem. We use a lot of different manipulative techniques, high velocity thrusts, like the chiropractors, and a lot soft working on ligaments and muscles, this may also be coupled with exercises to maintain change acquired through the treatment.