Your osteopathic consultation will involve a detailed assessment in order to make a clinical diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment.

• Assessment
• Full case history
• Examination
• Treatment

Diagnosis

Osteopaths have undergone an extensive four-year course including anatomy physiology, and pathology. This knowledge enables them to analyse your problem and diagnose your complaints and conditions using a variety of clinical skills, backed up where necessary by x-rays and other tests. If necessary you will be referred to a specialist via your GP for a second opinion.

A general examination is carried out including looking at the posture and movements of the body, checking muscle tone, reflexes and integrity of the nervous system. Treatment will commence once a working diagnosis is explained to you.

Treatment

Osteopaths use their hands both to investigate the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of manipulative techniques. Listed below you will see a list of a variety of techniques.

The treatment is normally quite short however complicated cases require more consideration and discussion, so although it is best to allow one hour for your initial consultation and half an hour for subsequent treatments, individual sessions may work out to be either shorter or longer.

The number of treatments and spacing between treatments will vary depending on the presenting problem. Prevention is the most important philosophy at this practice.

Osteopathic consultation

Techniques used during the osteopathic consultation

Manual Therapy

• Manipulation / Mobilisation
• Soft tissue techniques
• Adverse Neural Tension techniques
• Harmonic and functional techniques
• Balance ligamentous techniques
• Strain counter-strain
• Muscle energy
• Cranial Osteopathy

Rehabilitation

• Exercise programmes specific to the individual
• Muscle imbalance correction
• Biomechanical Analysis

Preventative Advice

• Postural re-education
• Ergonomic (at work, home, and in sport)
• Appropriate warm-up/stretching

Electrotherapy

• Laser therapy
• Interferential therapy

Read Frequently Asked Questions about osteopathy and how we work