Your visit & Osteopathic Treatments

Assessment and diagnosis

On your first visit, we allow more time as a full medical history will be taken. An examination will be carried out (you may be asked to remove some clothing for this) and you will then be asked to perform a few simple movements, so we can assess the problem.

We will use our highly developed sense of touch called palpation to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain within your body. We will make a diagnosis and discuss it with you and if Osteopathic treatment is suitable it will be offered to you.

Treatments

There are various treatments we can employ to help restore normal joint stability and function. We usually start treatment by releasing and relaxing muscles and stretching stiff joints, using gentle massage techniques, rhythmic joint movements and muscle release techniques.

We may carry out manipulation using short, quick movements to spinal joints. However, we may recommend other techniques depending on your problem, age and medical history. We will discuss these with you.

How long will it take?

We value the importance of spending enough time with our patients to fully understand their individual problem. Therefore, we allow up to an hour for the initial consultation to ensure there is adequate time to take a detailed case history and any follow-up appointments are for half an hour. Most patients normally require between 2 and 6 treatments and many decide that they would like to have periodic preventative treatments to avoid recurring problems. We will be pleased to answer any questions – just ask.

Treatments available include:

  • Soft tissue massage
  • Gentle releasing techniques
  • Joint manipulation
  • Cranial osteopathy
  • Advice on fitness, exercise and ergonomics
  • Dry Needling (Myofascial Acupuncture)

Dry Needling can be used to successfully treat painful conditions including headaches, backache and muscular pain. We will discuss this with you if we think it will help treat your condition. While traditional Acupuncture has been practised in China for thousands of years, this technique is a western modern day adaptation of Acupuncture based on anatomy. Your therapist will insert needles into areas of painful spasm in muscles known as trigger points. This stimulates touch receptor nerves in the body, which in turn desensitise the trigger points.