Even if you have had other forms of manual therapy treatment before, your first experience with our therapists may be very different.

Our consultation is to give you as much information as we can to help us provide you with the best treatment, advice and exercises possible and reduce your pain. Long term issues are also discussed so you can manage you pain and where necessary make changes to prevent a return.

Initial Osteopathic Consultation:

After taking an extensive case history, we do an Initial Structural Assessment and perform motion tests and any necessary neurological and orthopaedic tests. We may request other investigations if necessary for diagnosis. We assess the range and quality of motion in joints and soft tissues and look at your general structural/ postural pattern.

The reason for taking a comprehensive case history and performing an Initial Assessment is to judge whether it is safe for us to treat you, and whether treatment is appropriate. We are interested in what has worked for you previously, and whether you have treatment preferences. We can explain the treatment plan, and gain your consent before treatment. You should let us know immediately if you would like to change the treatment we are giving you.

Your therapist will explain to you what they have found and how they would like to approach the treatment, as well as explain what you can expect and the possible outcome.

The Osteopathic/Physiotherapy Treatment:

The treatment itself can vary from practitioner to practitioner, but all will involve a hands on approach. Osteopaths have a wide variety of manual techniques they use to treat various complaints. They include;

Massage

Stretching

Articulation (joints are passively taken through their range of motion by the practitioner)

Muscle Energy Techniques (used to lengthen tight, contracted muscles)

Counter strain (releases tight muscles by positioning the affected muscle in a shortened position to stretch the opposing muscles)

Manipulations (short, quick movements used to unlock joints and get them moving better)

Functional Techniques (gentle mobilisation of joints by easing patterns of stress)

At the end of the treatment, your Osteopath will reassess the initial movements that you performed so that we can see how effective the treatment has been.

Your Osteopath will organise a return consultation with a treatment plan this may also include stretches and exercises to do at home to help speed up your recovery or improve your body’s function. We may be able to give you advice about suitable physical activity during this recovery period.

For your actual consultation:

Bring:

Any x-rays, scans and results of investigations, Private Health Insurance details /your Work cover/Motor Vehicle claim numbers and a list of all medication that you are currently taking.

Wear:

Comfortable clothes, shorts art good for assessment allowing you to move about easily. Depending on the condition presented and the area of concern, some disrobing may be required as it is necessary to see the body during assessment, but at all times you will be draped with towels to ensure you feel comfortable throughout the treatment.

Allow 5-10 minutes extra for your initial consultation to fill in our information sheet.

Initial consultation last around 45 minutes to an hour, follow up treatments run for 30 minutes

Children: Families are always welcome in the treatment room as long as they don’t excite the patient or create distractions.

How will you feel after a Treatment?

Patients frequently notice considerable relief after the first treatment. Often pain is decreased and range of motion is noticeably increased. Short term changes in energy levels can be experienced as a treatment will often make it obvious that rest is required for recovery.

If you feel discomfort this is not uncommon, it usually lasts less than 48 hours, and is caused by muscles and ligaments adapting to a new configuration and we are often working with painful inflamed tissue.

With treatment we are working stiff often painful joints so there can be an irritation, however with better movement, function reactions tend to be short in duration, if you are concerned with any symptom lasting longer than 3-4 days please ring the clinic so we can discuss and help you manage them.

Please ring us if you have any concerns.

How many Treatments Will I Need?

Most people need a series of 5 to 6 treatments initially for good results; this may be followed up with intermittent appointments to help you manage long term.

We offer guidance and work with you to decide the best course of action and how much you need to modify/change improve your activities.

If you have financial constraints and looking for just 1 or 2 sessions we will work with that and look more to exercise and activity modification with a rehabilitation plan. This won’t give the full benefits of a course of treatment but will give you plenty of action to take to help your body.

Usually, after every treatment you will notice a reduction in the severity of your symptoms. You may notice that other areas that have been uncomfortable are also feeling better. The number of treatments needed depends on how long you have had the problem, how severe it is, and your body’s ability to respond to treatment and maintain improvement.

If you are unsure call the clinic and speak to a osteopath or practitioner, we are here to help. We’ve seen most of it before but you haven’t, our experience skill and knowledge can help you understand your body.

We like questions and welcome any that you have, it’s your body and we are here to help you manage it.

We look forward to seeing you.

Regards

Deansgate Osteopathic Clinic