What does the treatment involve?
During your first osteopathy session, the osteopath will ask about your symptoms, general health and any other medical care you're receiving before carrying out a physical examination.
Osteopathy isn't usually painful, although it's not unusual to feel sore or stiff in the first few days after treatment, particularly if you're having treatment for a painful or inflamed injury.
Treatment is individually tailored for each patient and, depending upon your progress, may alter between sessions.
Osteopathic techniques
Treatment normally involves a variety of gentle joint manipulations, articulations and soft tissue massage techniques that are appropriate to your age, fitness and diagnosis.
- soft tissue massage – to release and relax muscles
- stretching stiff joints
- articulation – where your joints are moved through their natural range of motion
- high-velocity thrusts – short, sharp movements to the spine, which normally produce a clicking noise similar to cracking your knuckles
What is the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?
Chiropractors tend to focus on treating muscle and joint pains, concentrating on adjustments to the vertebrae of the spine.
Osteopaths have a holistic approach and believe that your whole body will function best when it is in the best possible structural balance. Because of this your treatment will not always be in the area causing you pain but may be targeted on other parts of your body that have caused your symptoms.