Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a form of drug-free non-invasive manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, trapped nerves or slipped discs. Effectively, the whole body. Osteopaths do not simply concentrate on treating the problem area, but use manual techniques to balance all the systems of the body, to provide overall good health.
Osteopaths are trained to examine areas of the body using a highly-developed sense of touch, known as palpation, to determine conditions and identify the body's points of weakness or excessive strain. Osteopathy is a 'package' of care that includes skilled mobilising and manipulative techniques, reinforced by guidance on exercise. Here at First Step Clinic we will discuss, the most appropriate treatment plan for you estimating the likely number of sessions needed..
At First Step Clinic we find most people who seek Osteopathic treatment do so for many reasons,these may include common problems such as:
- Back and Neck Pain
- Sciatica
- Hip Problems
- Knee Pain
- Foot Problems
- Arthritic pain
- Whiplash
- Trapped Nerves
- Ligament Strains
- Slipped Discs
- Postural Pain
- Muscle and Joint Deterioration
First visit to an osteopath
The first visit will run along the same lines as an initial visit to a GP. A medical history is taken and our osteopath will want to hear about all symptoms, as well as details of any past accidents or traumas, even if they may seem unrelated to the current problem.
You may be asked to remove some outer clothing and to perform some simple movements. This is so the osteopath can observe how you are using your body, identify any obvious mobility impairment and evaluate posture. Neurological and orthopaedic tests are sometimes performed to help eliminate possible underlying pathologies and differentiate the basis of the complaint
Osteopaths are highly trained to manually locate points of restriction or excessive strain in various parts of the body. Using a finely tuned sense of touch or palpation, the osteopath will assess the spine, joints, muscles and tendons.
First Step Clinic's osteopaths are highly trained to manually locate points of restriction or excessive strain in various parts of the body by using their finely tuned sense of touch/palpation. The initial consultation will take around 45 minutes to complete, after which the osteopath will be able to offer a diagnosis and discuss a treatment program.
Osteopaths often treat in conjunction with a GP, podiatrist or other health care professional.
Remember, Osteopaths treat more than you think, complaints of aches in the head, back, neck, and heel/ foot pain, sciatica, shin splints, tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury, many more suffer from asthma, arthritis, digestive problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash and postural problems.
Why not give us a call as you DO NOT need to be referred by your GP to see an osteopath.