IS OSTEOPATHY FOR YOU?
If you are not sure whether osteopathic treatment would be beneficial for you or your child please telephone the Practice. We are very happy to discuss whether a consultation would be appropriate.
THE FIRST CONSULTATION
For the first consultation we usually allocate about an hour. We will want to know what type of problem you are experiencing and a thorough case history will be taken. This will include your general health, previous illnesses, your lifestyle and family medical history. Based on the case history we will then conduct a physical examination and for this it is usual to undress down to your underwear. During the examination you will normally be taken through a range of movements and specific osteopathic examination techniques are used to detect changes in tissues or to evaluate joint function and tissue health. If necessary other clinical tests may also be done. After the examination we will always explain the findings and if appropriate a suitable course of treatment will be prescribed.
Sometimes additional investigations or tests are required and if necessary an appropriate referral can be made.
If you are bringing in a baby or a young child for treatment we will also allocate about an hour for the first consultation. In the case of a baby it is helpful if you can bring their hospital discharge sheet or Personal Health Record book as these contain useful information which is not always easy to remember in detail. Do not worry if you need to feed your baby during the consultation - we quite understand that there is often little routine in a very young baby’s life and we will always try to be accommodating. Please feel free to bring along your baby‘s favourite toy or distraction.
EMERGENCY TREATMENTS
We will always try to find an appointment for a patient who is in acute pain and there is an osteopath available to offer advice every day except Sundays.
OSTEOPATHY - A RECOGNISED THERAPY
Osteopathy is now an accepted part of physical medicine. In 1993 the Osteopaths’ Act was passed by Parliament and the General Osteopathic Council was formed. This is a statutory self-regulating body and only appropriately qualified practitioners can now call themselves osteopaths.
