Osteopathy
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints. When the body is balanced and efficient, just like a well tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living.
Is Osteopathy Regulated?
The Statutory Register of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) opened on 9 May 1998. The title "osteopath" became protected by law from 9 May 2000 when the transitional registration period ended. As a result it is a criminal offence, liable to prosecution, to describe oneself as an osteopath in the UK unless registered with the GOsC.
The GOsC regulates, promotes and develops the profession of osteopathy, maintaining a Statutory Register of those entitled to practise osteopathy. Only practitioners meeting the high standards of safety and competency are eligible to join this register. Proof of good health, good character and professional indemnity insurance cover is also a requirement.
For more information, visit the General Osteopathic Council website.
Who needs an osteopath?
Everybody! Our most frequent visitors are builders, golfers, busy mums (and mums-to-be) and office workers - especially those spending lots of time at computers. We also treat a lot of sports related injuries.
What should I expect when I visit the osteopath?
Your osteopath will firstly ask you a number of detailed questions about your past medical history. You will also be asked about work and hobbies, since habitual actions often result in stresses that can lead to injury.
There are risks involved with manipulation. Your osteopath may ask questions which you may think are not directly related to your present condition in order to minimise these risks. The answers to these questions enable your osteopath to determine whether this is the right treatment for you and, if so, to select the safest way of going about it. If some other method of treatment would be more appropriate, the osteopath may suggest that you see another practitioner, such as your GP, homeopath, or acupuncturist.
Usually you will be asked to undress to your underwear, so please wear something you don't mind being seen in. If this would make you feel uncomfortable, particularly for women seeing a male practitioner, you may bring along a friend. Your osteopath will then undertake a structural evaluation, which might include asking you to move in certain ways to test the area of discomfort.
If treatment is considered appropriate, your osteopath may carry out one or more adjustments to your muscles and joints. A combination of techniques may be used, which may include massage, articulation and manipulation, which may be a High Velocity Thrust, producing the notorious 'clicks' that many people associate with osteopathic treatment. However, these are not always necessary, so don't think that the treatment wasn't successful if you didn't hear any crunching noises!
The initial consultation usually lasts between 30 and 40 minutes. Subsequent visits may be a little shorter. How long a treatment lasts depends upon what the problem is and what needs to be done to fix it, as does the total number of treatments that you will need.
What happens next?
On average, it seems to take about a week for your body to react to the treatment, rebalance and let you know what it wants to do next. Some of these reactions are described later, but don't panic, you may experience none of them. Often, aches and pains may seem to pop up in different places from the one which has just been treated. The body has a clever way of focusing on the most painful problem and hiding any older, more minor, ones. Once the worst pain eases, the focus changes elsewhere and it may seem that the problem is moving around your body!
We do not force you to come back for more treatment. The choice is always yours.
Many people are happy to stop at the point where they are back with their old familiar aches and pains, but it is sometimes possible to improve those as well. It's always worth talking with your osteopath to see how much improvement may be possible. Remember that it may involve a few changes in your lifestyle, such as diet and exercise, so don't be surprised. How much you choose to do is always your decision.
Please feel free to call us between sessions if you have any questions. We are available from 8am to 8pm seven days a week. If we are working, leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we can.
How will you feel?
There is a wide range of reactions to treatment. Some of these may happen to you. If so, the thing to remember is that they are signs that your body is beginning to adapt to the changes made during the treatment. Experiences commonly reported by clients include:
Feeling better - The relief from pain that you feel when the cause of discomfort has been removed can be immediate. Becoming better-aligned can make you feel straighter, taller and more balanced.
Feeling worse before feeling better - Sometimes while your body is adjusting to the changes taking place following treatment, the pain can seem to move about. There may also be some additional stiffness and soreness as muscle tensions change. These effects usually disappear within two to three days following treatment, but if you have any worries, contact your osteopath.
Tiredness - You may feel tired and sleep particularly well after treatment.
Menstrual changes - Some women may find that periods become heavier or lighter or your cycle may change slightly.
Headaches - The release of waste products as your body heals can sometimes cause headaches. Taking your usual painkillers and drinking plenty of water can usually relieve these. If they persist, contact your osteopath.
Emotional changes - After treatment, you may find that your feelings are a bit erratic for two or three days. These are quite normal, and can reflect the relaxation of long-held tensions within the body.
How can you help yourself to achieve the maximum benefit from treatment?
Taking it easy for 24 to 48 hours - Where possible avoid doing anything strenuous during this period. This includes activities such as heavy or awkward lifting, housework and sports.
Trying to maintain good posture - Whatever you are doing, try to ensure that you are as well balanced as possible, to minimise stress on your body. Check that frequently used equipment, such as computers, car seats, etc., are properly adjusted for effective, stress-free use. Also, avoid carrying bags on one shoulder, or habitually using the same arm to carry items - this creates a strain on the neck and back. If you can, use a backpack, or try to balance your load by using two smaller bags, carrying them one in each hand.
Drinking plenty of water - This helps your body to clear away quickly any stored toxins released by the treatment. Try to limit the amount of alcohol, tea or coffee you drink.
Avoid hot baths for 24 hours - These may feel good at the time, but when you cool down again after the bath, you may feel stiff where there is inflammation under the skin. Warm baths or showers are fine, but you may need to finish with a cold pack.
Use a cold pack - If you have any stiffness after treatment, use something like a pack of frozen peas, wrapped in a tea towel so you don't burn yourself, applied to the stiff area. Leave for about 10 minutes on meaty areas like the low back, less on delicate areas such as your neck. Repeat this every hour or so when possible.
If you do not feel better after treatment
If you have tried to follow the suggestions above and you have not noticed any improvement after three to four days, then please call to let us know. Everyone responds differently and at different rates. It's a good idea to let your GP know that you have needed osteopathic treatment, and we will do this for you, given your permission.
Sometimes, things don't improve as well or as quickly as we hope, so we need to look further to find out why. For this, your osteopath may suggest that you see your GP for investigations such as x-rays, or medication to make things more comfortable.
When you are better, what should you do to minimise the likelihood that the problem will recur?
Once you have suffered an injury, whether by falling over, traffic accident or simply bending over to pick up the morning post, there is always going to be a tendency to weakness in the affected area. There will also be a possibility of musculoskeletal stresses developing elsewhere, as your body tries to protect the weakened area from sustaining further damage.
Exercise - You may be recommended to do specific exercises, which will help to maintain your improvement. If you ensure that you do these as advised, whilst making sure you don't overdo them, you will benefit.
Maintenance - It is sound policy to come back every three or four months for a structural "MOT", to assure yourself that you are continuing to progress well, and to correct any minor imbalances that may have arisen.
Who do Osteopaths Treat?
Osteopaths treat a wide range of patients and conditions:
Half suffer low back trouble
Most back pains result from mechanical disturbances of the spine - postural strains, joint derangements and spinal disc injuries. Osteopathy, with its comprehensive approach to healthcare, is a particularly successful approach to treatment.
Over half are women
Many women are working mothers and combining both aspects of their lives can give rise to problems from the perennial headache to debilitating musculo-skeletal disorders. Many headaches originate from stiffness and tension in the neck and osteopathic treatment can often bring relief. Pregnancy can put a strain on the whole spine and osteopathic treatment can help the body adapt to the many changes it experiences.
A quarter are in their forties
Many patients are losing fitness at this stage in their lives and are more prone to injury. Osteopaths consider the whole person, examining posture and the strength and flexibility of muscles, ligaments and tendons. Treatment is designed to alleviate current problems and to help prevent recurrences.
Many are elderly
Pain-killers are not the only solution for the aches and pains associated with ageing. For more permanent relief it is necessary to eliminate the underlying causes of pain, a job for which the osteopath is specifically trained. Osteopathy can also help to reduce pain and stiffness in the less acute stages of arthritis.
Many problems relate to work
Work, whether at a computer terminal or in heavy industry, can give rise to disorders of muscles, tendons and joints, particularly in the back, hands and arms. Osteopaths treat many conditions related to the workplace and can give remedial advice and preventative exercise.