FAQ

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE FIRST SESSION?

WILL I NEED TO UNDRESS FOR TREATMENT?

During treatment, you may be covered by a towel. It may be helpful to wear or bring loose clothing, which you can normally leave on. Sometimes it may be necessary for you to uncover relevant parts of your body to be examined, or for example to facilitate treatment with oil.

However, this can normally be avoided if you are uncomfortable about it, and should the need arise you may arrange for a chaperone to be present.

CLINICAL GOWNS ARE AVAILABLE IF YOU REQUIRE.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

This varies from person to person and depends on many factors such as why you are coming for treatment, how long you have had any particular symptoms, and what your health is like generally. In my experience it is very unusual for someone not to experience at least some improvement after 2-3 sessions, and there is usually some improvement before this. If this wasn’t the case, then we would look at what might be interfering with your healing, and review what is the best course of treatment for you.

DOES TREATMENT HURT?

Treatment might sometimes involve working on or near areas that are tender, but I work with sensitivity and treatment is not normally painful.

WILL I GET A BAD REACTION TO TREATMENT?

Very occasionally someone might feel a little sore after treatment, as after exercise, but usually this is short-lived and soon fades, to leave you feeling more loose and comfortable.

DO I NEED A GP REFERRAL TO SEE AN OSTEOPATH?

Most patients ‘self refer’ to an osteopath for treatment. Although referral by a GP is not necessary, patients are encouraged to keep both their GP and osteopath fully informed, so that their medical records are current and complete and the patient receives the best possible care from both healthcare practitioners.

DO GPS REFER THEIR PATIENTS TO OSTEOPATHS?

Yes. GPs refer patients to osteopaths where they believe this intervention would be beneficial. Referral guidelines are provided by the General Medical Council and British Medical Association.

WHAT TRAINING DO OSTEOPATHS HAVE?

Students follow a four or five-year degree course combining academic and clinical work. Osteopaths are required to update their training throughout their working lives. It is mandatory for a practitioner to complete at least 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development per year.

CAN ANYONE CALL THEMSELVES AN OSTEOPATH? WHO SETS THE STANDARDS OF TRAINING AND PRACTICE FOR OSTEOPATHS?

The standards of osteopathic training and practice are maintained and developed by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), the profession’s statutory regulator.

SHOULD I TAKE PAIN KILLERS?

Painkillers may help reduce the symptoms of pain, but they don’t address the cause. They may also have unnecessary side effects such as stomach upsets, drowsiness and nausea. Osteopathy is a much safer way of dealing with your pain and resolving the cause of it. If the cause of pain is not addressed promptly, unnecessary degenerative changes may result. The osteopathic care we provide aims to resolve the underlying cause of pain with the objective of improving and maintaining your long-term health.

CAN I HAVE OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT DURING PREGNANCY?

Our osteopathic treatment is gentle and safe throughout your pregnancy. In fact, pregnancy is a good time to visit us, since your body is changing so much and so quickly. We can ease any restrictions and strains quite simply, as your ligaments are softer than usual at this time in your life. The treatment we provide can also help to make labour easier, through the balancing effect it has on the joints and ligaments.

CAN I HAVE OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT AFTER SURGERY?

Yes, in most cases we can treat you after surgery – we can advise you on your own circumstances. The treatment we provide after surgery helps keep the soft tissues around the joints relaxed, stable and balanced, with the aim of reducing premature degeneration within the joints themselves. Many patients have benefited from the osteopathic care we provide post-surgery, and we’ve helped many more to avoid surgery altogether due to the regular treatment we provide.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM SUBSEQUENT TREATMENTS?

Following some questioning about the changes to your condition a brief re-examination is made. This allows the progression of treatment to be assessed objectively and ensures that it is adapted accordingly. During these visits both hands-on treatment is provided as well as advice regarding exercises or lifestyle modifications that will assist in your recovery. Any questions you may have can be addressed along the way.

WHAT ARE THE CLICKING SOUNDS YOU GET WITH AN OSTEOPATHIC ADJUSTMENT?

An “adjustment” is a procedure employed by osteopaths to restore proper movement patterns to a joint and reduce any irritation of the nerve structures around the joint. These techniques are called high velocity low amplitude thrusts (HVLATs) and often cause a cracking noise to be heard in the joints. This noise is a release of gas into the synovial fluid inside the joint. As the joint is gapped by the osteopath, the pressure decreases inside the joint and the dissolved gas is released. This technique frees off the joints very quickly as muscles holding the joint restriction in place let go. Although it is a painless procedure, it is common to experience some muscle soreness for 24-48 hours after an adjustment.

• Reduced joint flexibility (e.g. suffered by golfers who can’t rotate as well as they used to).
• Mechanical limitations (e.g. suffered by gymnasts having difficulty in doing full “splits”).
• Not warming up or stretching enough can also lead to injuries causing reduced joint flexibility, which will affect the degree of your performance and may result in injury if the player is unaware that they cannot perform to the same level as they used to.