How Can Your Osteopath Help?

Osteopaths see people of all ages from babies to the elderly and everyone in between, including pregnant women and elite athletes.

Osteopathic care is based on the individual needs of the patient and, therefore, varies depending on occupation, age, fitness levels, and diagnosis.

You can discuss with your osteopath your health concerns, and what has brought you to see them.

They will then take the necessary time to understand your symptoms, medical history, work and personal lifestyle which in turn, will help them make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your issue and formulate a treatment plan with you that will achieve the best outcome.

Your health plan may involve several visits and, very occasionally, further tests and/or referrals to another appropriate healthcare professional.

Although you may wish to consult your GP before you visit an osteopath, you do not need to do so.

What To Expect At Your Consultation

Your osteopath will take a full medical history, and you will undergo a physical examination, which they will explain to you beforehand.

This will often involve you making some movements and the osteopath examining areas to feel for tightness in the muscles and stiffness in the joints to identify problems.

Sometimes, the cause of the problem may be in a different area to the pain; for example, pain in your lower arm may be linked to the nerves in your neck, so they may need to examine your whole body.

You may find that your osteopath undertakes other examinations, such as blood pressure or nerve checks, or even refers you for other tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or blood tests.

Along with the medical history and physical examinations, your osteopath will always complete a comprehensive routine examination that checks for more serious diagnoses. They will advise and discuss any further action that might be required with you, ensuring that no potential issue is overlooked.

Occasionally they may diagnose an issue that they cannot treat and may refer you to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

As with any health consultation, your osteopath will record this confidential information to form part of your health record. Rest assured, they will store it in accordance with legal requirements for medical data, ensuring the utmost privacy and security of your health information.

About Treatment

Before an osteopath starts any treatment, they will explain what is involved so you can agree to the planned course of treatment. If you agree, this may begin at your first appointment.

Osteopathic treatment often involves manual therapy—a range of gentle hands-on techniques that focus on releasing tension, stretching muscles, and improving mobility.

It is not uncommon for manual therapy techniques to cause some mild discomfort for 24 – 48 hours after treatment. Your osteopath will discuss this with you and provide relevant advice before your treatment starts.

As part of your treatment plan your osteopath may also recommend exercises and helpful advice to help you relieve or manage your pain, stay active, and maintain good health.

After 1 week, 89% of patients report some level of improvement in their symptoms

At six weeks 96% of osteopathic patients report improvement or recovery.

96% of osteopathic patients said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their care.

98% of patients said their experience of osteopathy was good or very good.