What can an Osteopath do for me?
Osteopathic treatment is a procedure, which involves identification, treatment and prevention of various health issues by stretching, moving, and massaging the muscles and joints of a patient. When performed correctly, the process may help to achieve following positive outcomes.
- Relieves muscle tension
- Increases mobility of joints
- Helps your body to heal quickly
- Maintains regular blood supply to the tissues
Osteotherapy works on a principle that the health of a person relies heavily on the proper functioning of the musculoskeletal system. This includes integrated and synchronised working of various body parts such as muscles, bones, connective tissues and ligaments.
Usually, osteopaths focus on the muscles, spine, and joints. The basic aim of such a treatment is to cast positive impact over the circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems of a patient. Osteopaths use numerous techniques with a view to cure the disease. However, administration of drugs is not necessary during Osteopathic treatment.
On the contrary, Osteotherapy relies of Manual Medicine, which suggests that the whole process of diagnosis and treatment is executed only with hands. Some of the widely acknowledged benefits of Osteopathy are mentioned as under:
- The major focus of an osteopath revolves around the specific parts of a body including muscles, joints, and spine
- Regular Osteopathic intervention may help to treat back pain, arthritis, tennis elbow, digestive issues, postural problems, and headaches
- Osteopathy also regulates the proper functioning of circulatory, nervous, and lymphatic systems
- Helps to maintain healthy sleep cycles
What Exactly Osteopaths do
An osteopath identifies the losses and blockades in mobility of all the joints and muscles, associated with the complaint. For instance, the local Osteopaths will probe into the main cause of a problem and treat it through muscle energy techniques, mobilisations and manipulations. It is interesting to know that an osteopath does not heal, but enhances the healing capacity of a body.
This is done by eradicating the mobility and blockade issues, which are serving as the major impediments during the natural healing process. The body is given some time after the treatment to respond properly to the applied techniques. Hence, it is ensured to maintain a gap of at least one week after every Osteopathic treatment.
Procedures Followed During First Appointment
Osteotherapy is a system of healthcare, which is mainly patient-centred. The duration of the first appointment is 45 minutes to one hour approximately. This provides adequate time for an osteopath to ask questions regarding your health issues, general health and other medical treatments that you are receiving.
Each and every information is recorded in the case notes. The osteopath is ethically and legally bound to maintain the confidentiality of given information. Being professionals, Local Osteopaths also look for any sign of serious illness, which is not curable through Osteopathic treatment. In this situation, they will advise a patient to see a GP or visit a healthcare facility.
Physical Examination
Physical examination is the most essential part of an Osteotherapy. For this purpose, the patients are advised to remove some clothes. However, the privacy of each patient is respected during such an examination.
You will be asked to repeat certain stretches and movements to analyze your mobility and posture. The osteopath will conduct a detailed examination of the joints, ligaments, and tissues with hands. This method relies on ‘Palpation’, which is considered as a highly developed sense of touch.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are suffering from back pain, aches or other mobility joint issues, visiting one of the local Osteopaths will be a wise decision. This is so, as Osteopathic treatment is a specialised way to diagnose, treat and prevent musculoskeletal disorders and other similar problems.
After a physical examination, an osteopath will thoroughly explain regarding what has been diagnosed during such a procedure. Furthermore, a suitable treatment plan, as well as duration and number of sessions, is also discussed with the patient.
The benefits of such a treatment and involvement of anticipated risks are also explained. It is essential to know what is achievable through this treatment and how many sessions are necessary to seek considerable improvements.
Osteopathy is a hands-on procedure, which includes joints and spine manipulation techniques along with soft tissue massage. Normally, an osteopath proposes a customized treatment plan to meet the individual needs of each patient.
Post-Treatment Advice
Osteotherapy promotes the notion of self-healing; hence, an osteopath will also advise home exercise programs, dietary changes, and some lifestyle alterations. The hands-on work is done in a gentle way, which feels a bit relaxing. However, after an exhaustive physical activity during manipulation of joints and spine, the patient might feel muscular pain for a day or two.
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