osteopathy
Progress
of a consultation
Questioning
During your first consultation, your osteopath will ask you some questions about your medical history, general health and lifestyle. This information will be correlated with your answers about the pains and symptoms you are seeking help with.
If you have any available medical tests related to your complaint (x-rays, scans, MRI), your osteopath may also look at them.
Physical examination
With your consent, your osteopath will then perform a physical examination thanks to static/dynamic observations and palpation of your body.
It consists in linking your body's imbalances with the root of your pain to establish a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
In order to facilitate their work, your osteopath might ask you to remove some clothes. But if you feel uncomfortable with it please let them know.
Moreover, you are welcome to bring someone with you in the consultation room if it makes you more comfortable.
If your osteopath considers that your condition is not appropriate for an osteopathic consultation, they will refer you to your GP or another suitably qualified professional.
Treatment
With your consent, your osteopath will proceed to your treatment. To ensure optimal treatment, your osteopath uses the most suitable techniques for your wellbeing and relief, allowing you to fully experience the benefits of osteopathy.
Advice
When the consultation is over, your osteopath may give you some lifestyle advice for home exercises to help your recovery.
Also, it is recommended to avoid sports or physical activity during the following 48 hours to not interfer with the treatment.
Is it painful?
Your osteopath will try to make the treatment as painless as possible, but pain might be experienced during and after treatment.
According to The Institute of Osteopathy: "Following treatment about half of patients report some mild soreness in the area of their body that was treated, this can usually be relieved with an over the counter pain killer and will go away within 48 hours. If you experience serious or unusual symptoms after treatment you should contact your osteopath straight away for advice."
Duration
The first consultation lasts 1 hour as your osteopath need to gather all the information necessary to constitute your file.
Follow ups last between 30 to 45 minutes.
