What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of health care that stresses the importance of the musculoskeletal
system in both health and disease. It is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of
the body such as muscles, ligaments and joints. The Osteopath will use his hands to
assess the state, mobility and physical alignment of the body’s tissue. Once the diagnosis
and cause of the dysfunction is ascertained, the osteopath will use their hands to treat
the dysfunction. Treatment usually involves both muscle and joint manipulation.
One of the axioms of osteopathy is that “The body is a unit”, as such a dysfunction in one
part of the body could affect another part of the body. Thus for this reason the osteopath
will not only work on the problem area but also on any adjacent or distant associated
areas. As an example, a hip and knee problem could be related to a foot problem and
vice versa.
Initial visit and subsequent treatments
Your first consultation will normally last about one hour. An in depth history of the problem
(with any previous episodes) is noted. Past medical history is also noted.
A physical examination will then take place in which the patient is usually asked to
undress down to their underwear. Patients who are uncomfortable with this are advised to
wear loose fitting clothing as an alternative.
Any subsequent treatment will be approximately half an hour in length, and the patients
condition is regularly assessed. In some cases referral back to the patients G.P or
specialist for further investigation may be required before treatment continues.
During your initial visit your osteopath will inform you of your treatment plan, and may
advise you on exercises and changes in lifestyle that will not only aid your recovery, but
help to prevent the problem from recurring. It is important to attend your scheduled
appointments and stick to the advice given as failure to do so may delay your recovery,
and make you a regular visitor to the clinic. This will waste both your time and money.
What do Osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths are known by many people as the ones to go to for treatment of lower back
pain. Although this may be true, this is only one of many conditions that osteopaths treat.
A few of the common conditions that we treat are, neck pain, Sciatica, frozen shoulder,
carpel tunnel syndrome, foot pain, jaw pain, headaches, golfers elbow, hip, knee and
ankle pain, repetitive strain injuries, muscular strain, the pain of arthritis, trapped nerves.
The list goes on. A talk/consultation with your osteopath will determine whether treatment
is recommended.
Osteopathy is a system of health care that stresses the importance of the musculoskeletal
system in both health and disease. It is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of
the body such as muscles, ligaments and joints. The Osteopath will use his hands to
assess the state, mobility and physical alignment of the body’s tissue. Once the diagnosis
and cause of the dysfunction is ascertained, the osteopath will use their hands to treat
the dysfunction. Treatment usually involves both muscle and joint manipulation.
One of the axioms of osteopathy is that “The body is a unit”, as such a dysfunction in one
part of the body could affect another part of the body. Thus for this reason the osteopath
will not only work on the problem area but also on any adjacent or distant associated
areas. As an example, a hip and knee problem could be related to a foot problem and
vice versa.
Initial visit and subsequent treatments
Your first consultation will normally last about one hour. An in depth history of the problem
(with any previous episodes) is noted. Past medical history is also noted.
A physical examination will then take place in which the patient is usually asked to
undress down to their underwear. Patients who are uncomfortable with this are advised to
wear loose fitting clothing as an alternative.
Any subsequent treatment will be approximately half an hour in length, and the patients
condition is regularly assessed. In some cases referral back to the patients G.P or
specialist for further investigation may be required before treatment continues.
During your initial visit your osteopath will inform you of your treatment plan, and may
advise you on exercises and changes in lifestyle that will not only aid your recovery, but
help to prevent the problem from recurring. It is important to attend your scheduled
appointments and stick to the advice given as failure to do so may delay your recovery,
and make you a regular visitor to the clinic. This will waste both your time and money.
What do Osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths are known by many people as the ones to go to for treatment of lower back
pain. Although this may be true, this is only one of many conditions that osteopaths treat.
A few of the common conditions that we treat are, neck pain, Sciatica, frozen shoulder,
carpel tunnel syndrome, foot pain, jaw pain, headaches, golfers elbow, hip, knee and
ankle pain, repetitive strain injuries, muscular strain, the pain of arthritis, trapped nerves.
The list goes on. A talk/consultation with your osteopath will determine whether treatment
is recommended.
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Osteopathy
Gaia Osteopathic Practitioners:
Andrew Lawson
| © Copyright 2008 - Active Recovery - All Rights Reserved. The Gaia Centre for Holistic Therapy, 17 Frederick Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3BH email: admin@gaiaholistics.co.uk Tel: 01509 551513 |
Images courtesy of General Osteopathic Council and © of Kampfner Photography
