Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a gentle method of assessing, treating and preventing a wide range of health problems. It is considered a”hands on treatment”. An Osteopath uses combinations of movement, stretching, massage and manipulation of a person’s muscles and joints to improve function, relieve pain and aid recovery.
The Osteopath will take the time to understand their patient, and their unique combination of symptoms, medical history and lifestyle. This helps to make an accurate diagnosis of the causes of the pain or lack of function (rather than just addressing the site of the condition), and from that, to formulate a treatment plan that will achieve the best outcome.
Osteopaths frequently work alongside other health professionals, such as GPs, nurses and midwives as well as alternative medical practitioners. Osteopathy works well to complement other medical interventions including surgery and prescribed medication. You do not need a GP referral to see an Osteopath.
Safety and Regulation
Osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). It is against the law to call yourself an Osteopath unless you are qualified and registered with the GOsC.
Conditions treated by Osteopaths
Osteopaths are experts in treatments of a range of conditions and although Osteopaths are well known for treating back pain, Osteopaths treat joint pain, neuromuscular conditions and headaches. These can arise from injury or from daily living, work or activity.
Here are some examples;
- General aches and pains either acute or chronic
- Joint pains including back, hips, knees, shoulder, elbow etc.
- Lower back problems, including sciatica, disc and sacro-iliac joints
- Neck, shoulder, upper back and arm problems, including tension
- Headaches of varying types, including migraine prevention arising from the neck area
- Repetitive Strain injuries, including tennis & golfers elbow
- Frozen Shoulder
- Knee, ankle and foot problems
- Muscle, ligament & joint injury
- Trapped nerves
- Arthritic pains or rheumatic pains
Osteopathic patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children and sports people
If you want to find out more, Louise Cameron will be happy to talk to you about your health and how you may benefit from Osteopathic treatment.
Your First Treatment
When you first visit an Osteopath, they will spend some time taking a medical history, which will include questions about your general health and lifestyle as well as asking questions about the symptoms or injuries that you are seeking help with. With your consent, they will perform a physical examination which is likely to involve the Osteopath touching areas of your body that are experiencing pain and asking you to move around. They may also look at test results, x-rays and scan reports if these are available.
It may be necessary for the Osteopath to ask you to remove some clothing, so they can see and touch areas of the body that are causing concern. If you are uncomfortable undressing to your underwear then please bring with you clothing, such as shorts and a T shirt, that will enable the Osteopath to work effectively without making you feel uncomfortable. You are welcome to bring someone with you into the examination room if this puts you at ease.
The Osteopath will make a diagnoses and discuss a course of treatment with you. This may involve visiting them a few times for manual therapy, some exercises that you can do by yourself and some lifestyle changes. If the Osteopath believes that your condition would not be improved by Osteopathic treatment they will refer you to your GP or another suitably qualifies professional and may provide you with notes explaining their diagnosis and why they feel Osteopathic treatment may not help you.
To book an Osteopathy appointment please call 01933 664444.