What does treatment involve?

Osteopaths are trained to use a wide variety of different techniques; most osteopaths carry out all the treatment using their hands.

Osteopathy takes an holistic approach so patients are assessed as individuals.  Treatment is tailored to suit the needs of each patient according to their age, symptoms and past medical history.  Within each treatment session the techniques used are modified and adapted according to how a patient responds and to achieve the desired results.  Osteopaths develop their own treatment style/approach using a combination of the following techniques.


Soft Tissue Massage

This includes a variety of different massage techniques to the muscles and connective tissues of the body.  Soft tissue massage can be light or heavy, fast or slow, superficial or deep depending on which tissues are being targeted and the changes which are being encouraged.


Articulation Techniques

Articulation of a joint involves moving a joint through a range of movement.  When you move a joint such as your knee when walking, you contract the muscles to enable the joint to move.  When an osteopath takes a joint through a range of movements the muscles can remain relaxed (passive) as the osteopath takes the strain and initiates the movement. This technique of passive articulation can be used to stretch tight muscles around a joint, ease out scar tissue or stretch the capsule of the joint.  Passive articular techniques improve blood supply, help reduce swelling and increase drainage.


High Velocity Thrust

This is the technique where patients quite often hear a clicking sound.  It is a useful technique which can be used in certain cases of joint restriction and it is referred to as “manipulation of a joint”.  When this technique is used on the small facet joints in the spine it creates a reflex effect which relaxes the deep small muscles around the joint.  The clicking noise is a result of a suction type pop as the joint surfaces are momentarily separated .The noise is not an indication of a bone or disc being put back into place.  This can be a quick, efficient and dramatic technique but is not suitable in all cases and only forms a small part of an overall treatment session.


Functional Techniques

Functional techniques are ideal for using on inflamed joints or when muscles are hypertonic (too tight or in spasm).  The osteopath guides the joint through a series of small movements until a point of balance is reached and the muscles are able to let go


Cranial (or Cranio-Sacral) Osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy is a subtle type of osteopathic treatment which uses very gentle manipulative pressure to encourage the release of stresses throughout the body, including the head.  Patients may feel sensations of pressure or warmth, either under the osteopath’s hands or elsewhere.  Most patients find cranial osteopathy deeply relaxing – see cranial osteopathy.


Advice and Exercises

We want you to be in charge of your own body; understanding the reason behind how you have developed symptoms is key to resolving your condition. At The Osteopathic Health Centre we place great emphasis on enabling this. Prescribing exercises, giving advice on care and prevention is all part of the treatment.

Is Osteopathy suitable for all ages ?

Simply put, yes! Osteopathy can adapt to suit patients of all ages.  At the Osteopathic Health Centre we have a particular interest in the treatment of babies and children as well as treating adults of all ages including the elderly.

All the osteopaths at The Osteopathic Health Centre have completed four year full time courses in osteopathy and as such are trained to take into account all aspects of a patients health including age. Babies and children are predominantly treated using cranial osteopathy which is a  gentle subtle treatment.  Adults in good health may be treated using slightly stronger techniques.  As patients grow older different health issues arise, joints become more stiff and set and the possibility of osteoporosis may need taking into account.  Whatever the age or condition the osteopathic approach is modified to deliver safe effective treatment.

Please mention to reception staff if the appointment you are booking is for a child.

Should you have any mobility issues such as difficulty climbing household stairs, please mention this to reception staff when you book to ensure that we allocate a downstairs room.

Can Osteopathy treat babies and children?

Yes – at The Osteopathic Health Centre we have a particular interest in treating children of all ages.  Have a look at the section on Osteopathy for babies and children for more detailed information.

When booking please mention to the reception staff that the appointment is for a baby or child.

What conditions can osteopathy help with?

Osteopathy is well known for its role in helping with mechanical/musculoskeletal conditions. See conditions helped

An osteopath has a unique approach to the body and considers each person as a whole. In some cases a mechanical imbalance/musculoskeletal problem can cause symptoms remote from the source – for example, a foot or gait problem may cause a mechanical strain through the knee and trigger knee pain or a neck complaint may contribute to headaches.  With this in mind it is difficult to write a fully comprehensive list of all the conditions which may respond to an osteopathic approach.

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are likely to be helped by osteopathy please feel free to ring the practice on 01244 371820 and ask to speak to one of the osteopaths. We usually ring back at a mutually convenient time.

Does osteopathy hurt?

In a nutshell, no! Osteopathy is completely tailored to the individual so you can have a say in the techniques used and the approach taken.

Osteopaths deliver all treatment using their hands.  We are trained in a wide variety of different techniques and can select the most effective technique to suit the condition and the patient.  Treatment usually involves massage and stretching techniques to muscles and articulation of joints.



During treatment you may have the sensation of muscles being stretched or joints being moved, however this should not be unpleasant but may feel unusual.  Sometimes an osteopath may suggest that they need to work  more deeply or apply more pressure to be as effective as they possibly can.  Some patients are comfortable being treated more physically and would prefer that the osteopath just gets on and does what needs doing. Other patients may feel vulnerable and scared because the condition they have has been very painful and they are wary about being treated.  This is not a problem, treatment can be taken more slowly and usually once a patient fully understands the problem the fear will start to subside.  Many patients specifically come to this practice because they have heard that we use cranial techniques (please mention this to the receptionist when booking if you would specifically like to be treated using cranial osteopathy).

Will I benefit from Osteopathy?

Obviously we would like to answer “yes” to this question but in reality it is a difficult question to answer as the outcome from osteopathic treatment will depend upon the condition with which you presented in the first place.  You may be able to get a clearer idea as to whether you are likely to respond to osteopathic treatment by looking at conditions treated.

At the initial consultation the osteopath takes a detailed case history cataloguing the symptoms, the history, your general health, medication etc and  a full and thorough examination will be undertaken.  Once the osteopath has processed all this information he/she will advise you whether in their opinion your problem is likely to benefit from osteopathic treatment.

If you have had symptoms for a long time it may take a few treatments before you start to notice a difference.  Many patients will start to feel the benefit almost straight away (although initially there may be some soreness).  Patients invariably find the osteopathic experience beneficial as we always try to explain our findings and give advice on how  best to manage your symptoms.

Please rest assured that after the initial consultation if we don’t feel that osteopathy can help we will tell you and, not only that, we will try to help guide you through what to do next or who to see next!

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are likely to be helped by osteopathy please feel free to ring the practice on 01244 371820 and ask to speak to one of the osteopaths. We usually ring back at a mutually convenient time.

Will I feel better straightaway?

In many instances, the answer to this is ‘Yes’!

However, how much better and for how long does vary enormously with the condition and whether several treatments are needed to get a lasting improvement. Sometimes after a treatment tense muscles may feel sore at first (similar to aching muscles after unaccustomed exercise) and if joint inflammation is present treatment can mildly increase the symptoms for a day or two before a marked improvement. Some people can feel tired after a session as a result of a deep sense of relaxation, a sign that the body has started to resolve the problem.
With long standing and chronic conditions several treatments may be necessary for positive benefits to be felt. This is especially the case if a patient is asked to build up muscle strength or reduce general stiffness through an exercise programme required for the treatment effects to ‘hold’.

How many appointments will I need?

This is a tricky question to give an answer to because the number of treatments required depends on so many factors. These factors include how long the condition has been present, the nature of any injury in the past, the general health and fitness of the patient and whether there are any maintaining factors which may slow down healing such as underlying stress or occupational postures.

The osteopathic approach involves learning about the patient in detail taking past and present medical history into account as well as lifestyle and occupation and then examining the patient’s posture and musculoskeletal system. Once the osteopath has taken the case history and carried out the initial examination, it is possible to make a treatment plan and give an idea of how many sessions will be required. In some cases, it is difficult to predict how well a particular person will respond to treatment so we may suggest trying 3 or 4 treatments and then reassess.

How is Osteopathy different from Physiotherapy ?

Although physiotherapists and osteopaths both work on the structure of the body there are differences in training, theoretical background and in the type of treatment used.

Physiotherapists who treat back and joint pain sufferers in hospital will often use electrical equipment such as ultrasound machines and prescribe exercises for each type of condition. Some physios also use manual techniques such as manipulation and massage but this is more likely in private practice where there are less time constraints than in the NHS.

How is Osteopathy different from Chiropractic?

Generally speaking there are more similarities than differences between osteopaths and chiropractors. Both disciplines of ‘body mechanics’ have been around for roughly 140 years, involve a lengthy training of 4 or 5 years, are used primarily for the treatment of musculoskeletal problems (as well as improving blood flow and nerve signals throughout the body) and involve hands-on, manual treatment.

Practitioners in each discipline are taught a range of treatment methods some of which are similar and some of which differ. Individual practitioners develop their own particular styles so that within each profession there may be a wide range of approaches.

Osteopaths look in detail at how the spine works.  Sometimes spines are not perfect so we search for the best way to encourage each spine to cope better and function with more ease.  We place great emphasis on the influence that muscular dysfunction/tightness can have on the functioning of joints and work to release muscles and joints throughout the body and spine.  Chiropractors focus mainly on spinal alignment and less on the joints of the extremities or on the muscles.

Will my medical insurance pay for my treatment?

Most health insurance companies will pay for osteopathic treatment.  However policies and companies vary in the detail so please check with your company which benefits are included in your particular scheme.

At the Osteopathic Health Centre we are happy to treat people who are claiming through insurance schemes. Please tell the receptionist when you book an appointment. (Some companies specify which osteopaths are covered).

Do Doctors approve of Osteopathy?

Yes, indeed they do. Although osteopaths work within the private sector, GPs and consultants are fully aware of our high levels of training and our status of state regulation (See Osteopaths Act) so they often suggest that patients seek the services of an osteopath, particularly in cases of back and neck pain. We frequently work closely with the medical profession either referring patients back to their GPs for further investigations or requesting information about test results. There are also cases where it is important to keep GPs up to date with a patient’s progress with osteopathic treatment.

Stop Press
On May 27th 2009 The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) revised its guidelines for the treatment of patients with persistent non specific low back pain (of over six weeks duration).  One of its recommendations is that these patients should be prescribed a course of manual therapy such as osteopathy.

How do I know if an Osteopath is properly qualified?

In 1993, osteopaths became the first complementary health care professionals to achieve statutory recognition under the 1993 Osteopaths’ Act. The title ‘osteopath’ is now protected by law. In the UK it is a criminal offence to describe oneself as an osteopath unless registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). All the osteopaths at the Osteopathic Health Centre are registered with the GOsC.

GOsC
web. www.osteopathy.org.uk
Tel. 020 7357 6655