FAQs

Provided that the area being treated is accessible and I can feel through your clothing and you may have no need to undress into your underwear. If you do feel uncomfortable about undressing into your underwear, please tell me immediately as it is your body and space and of course you can refuse. Following the guidelines of one of our governing bodies, the General Osteopathic Council (GosC) 2010, all patients are reminded that how they dress for treatment is a personal choice.

Loose clothing such as shorts, T-shirts and leggings are perfectly acceptable. If you would like your practitioner to leave the room while you change, please let me know.

Some prefer to be treated for a painful episode and call again if and when they have further flare-ups.

Some patients like preventative measures and find the benefits of regular osteopathy.

My aim is to get you symptom free between treatments, thus improving your overall health whilst spacing your treatments out further. Most patients prefer to visit every 4 to eight weeks.

I incorporate many types of osteopathic techniques within my practice.

Soft tissue: This technique is applied to the musculature surrounding the spine, where it consists of rhythmic stretching, deep pressure and traction. The purpose is to move inflammation, relax hypertonic muscles and break down fibrous muscle related to injury. Patients can experience pain while this technique is being carried out, this is because the area is lacking blood supply and also a toxin build-up in the area. The pain usually subsides within 24-48 hours post treatment.

Articulation: This is where the problem joints(s) and surrounding ligaments and musculature are moved and stretched. It works very well for very stiff problematic areas in the body. It rarely causes pain.

Manipulation of joints: A high velocity/low amplitude thrust is used to restore specific joint function, where the joint then regains its normal range of motion. This technique also acts to reset neural reflexes. This procedure also reduces joint dysfunction, asymmetry and restriction of motion and tenderness.

Muscle Energy Technique: In this manual technique, the patient is directed to use his or her muscles from a precise position into a specific direction against a counter force applied by the osteopath. The purpose is to restore motion, decrease muscle tension and correct joint dysfunction.

Osteopathic treatment reactions:

It is not uncommon to experience a treatment reaction. This is perfectly normal. The reaction can typically be felt as pain or discomfort, tiredness and even a heightened awareness of emotions. This is particularly true if the original cause of the problem was the result of a physical or emotional trauma. Treatment reactions generally get worse before they get better. The reaction typically unfolds over a 3 day period. For the first 24 to 36 hours, this is where the patient will experience the symptoms mentioned above. Then, gradually over the next 36 hours the symptoms subside. Generally, nothing needs to be done for treatment reactions…plenty of rest and if anything further needs to be advised, your practitioner will advise you.

At your first osteopathic appointment, it is necessary to spend some time discussing your case history. This discussion will include questions regarding your symptoms, the jig-saw of events that got you to where you are (if there are any), your past medical and medication history, any previous traumas or accidents that have occurred.

If you feel that there is other important information relevant to your case that we haven’t covered, please let me know. It is important to spend some finding out why it hurts instead of just treating your pain, which just essentially masks the problem. This also means that the cause of the problem is addressed and treated and not just your symptoms.

Once all your details are completed, there may need to be some clinical examinations undertaken. Some common clinical examinations that may be used are: observing some simple body movements, a neurological examination including muscle testing and reflexes, listening to your heart and lungs, taking your blood pressure, looking into your eyes and ears, these are just a few of the tests undertaken if I feel it may help with your diagnoses.

At this point, there will be a working diagnosis and a treatment plan for you. You will be kept informed at every stage at exactly what I am doing and why.

If, on the basis of your case history and clinical testing, your problem may require something more than I can do, you may need a referral to a specialist i.e. a surgeon. This will be done via your G.P.

Osteopathy is known as an effective treatment for lower back pain and has actually been recommended by the Royal College of General Practitioners UK. Osteopathy treats the whole body and not just one specific area. It is beneficial for a wide variety of muscular, ligamentous and joint pains, postural issues and work-related problems.

• Pain killers can be and are a great analgesic, however essentially it does not resolve the problem. Osteopathy can help with the actual underlying cause of your problem and therefore your pain.
• Many headaches that we experience originate from stiffness and tension in the neck osteopathic treatment can bring relief for this.
• Osteopathy can treat sporting injuries and therefore improving your performance.
• Osteopathy and pregnancy… the body undergoes enormous strain and biomechanical changes to adapt for the growing fetus. Osteopathy can help your body adapt for these huge biomechanical changes.
• Osteopathy and your work-life can prove very useful. Whether you are deskbound with a computer terminal or work in heavy industry can give rise to muscular and joint problems especially in the back, neck, shoulders and wrists. Osteopaths can treat these work related injuries but also give ergonomical advice and preventitve exercises.
• Cranial osteopathy can help both adults and children alike. However, it is particularly useful for babies as it is very gentle, yet extremely effective and can help with crying, colic, feeding and sleeping difficulties.

On initially consultation, the treatment can last from anything up to one hour… Preceeding treatments usually last 30-40 minutes depending on your compliant.

Yes…. VHI, AVIVA and Quinn insurers cover osteopathic treatments…However only if you are a registered osteopath.. You should check with your health cover providers regarding the level of cover you are on.

No, most patients self-refer to an Osteopath for treatment. Patients are however encouraged to keep their G.P.’s and Osteopath fully informed so their medical records and treatment are up-to-date, where they can receive the best possible care from both health care practitioners.

Osteopaths study for four or five years, which comprises clinical and academic training. Osteopathic training includes more than 1,000 of intensive clinic hours, which provides them with the experience to deal all walks of life. Osteopaths academic qualification generally leads to a bachelor degree in Osteopathy… Bsc(Hons), Bost or BOst Med….

Osteopaths train for four-five years , where they learn to become primary care practitioners…meaning that they can use if needed a conventional method of diagnosis if the problem is coming from elsewhere other than the musculoskeletal system.

Chiropractors train for five years and use manipulation, which is a special way of moving joints to increase mobility within that joint and the surrounding muscles and ligaments. The most common compliant chiropractors treat is neck, back pain and headaches.