What happens in a typical treatment?
The first time you come for an appointment, I will take you through 5 stages of the consultation. At the end of this we will agree on a plan for any further treatment and exercise programmes, or arrange for referral to your GP or another specialist if we think that’s needed.
1. Case History
You describe your problem while I ask questions to better understand what you feel, when & how it started, and what activities make it worse or better.
I also take a full medical history: I want to know about any other conditions, past accidents, procedures or treatments, and any medication you may be taking
2. Examination
A clinical exam (looking at range of movement, maybe taking reflexes, blood pressure etc.)
Followed by an osteopathic exam, which looks at quality of movement: how you are holding yourself, how you move, how your tissues feel on palpation, a proper analysis of which areas are restricted and which are healthy, and how they may be linked to the problem.
Do I have to take my clothes off? Depending on the problem, I normally ask you to remove some clothing for the examination and treatment. It is particularly difficult to feel anything through denim jeans, for example.
However, it is important that you feel comfortable and relaxed, so you are welcome to bring shorts, pyjamas, a t-shirt or whatever you wish to wear.
3. Explanation
A medical diagnosis often stops at “tendinitis” or “arthritis”, followed by advice to rest or take painkillers.
An osteopath treats the patient, not the condition. So an osteopathic diagnosis looks at the whole person to discuss how these conditions may have developed, and how we can progress towards less pain and better function.
4. Treatment
Techniques may include soft-tissue massage, careful mobilisation of joints, spinal manipulation where appropriate, or a range of gentle techniques such as cranial osteopathy.
Treatment is a two-way process. I will be asking for your feedback throughout the session, I may ask you to push or pull against me to activate certain muscles. You may have to get off the table several times to try different movements.
5. Advice & exercise
I firmly believe that “Motion is Lotion” and I will explain what exercises will help at different stages of recovery, be it the acute first-aid stage, the sub-acute strengthening stage, or longer term rehabilitation.
We may also look at things you are doing in daily life and discuss how they could be done better, whether that is gardening, sitting at your desk, or training for a marathon.
My interests & influences include yoga, Pilates, the works of Moshe Feldenkrais, and Alexander Technique as well as the latest research into rehabilitation and Strength & Conditioning.
For further information please have a look at these pages:
To make an appointment please call (01534) 520714
(or mobile: 07829 799996)
If you have any questions please email: info@jerseyosteopath.com
For directions and parking information please see Contacts