WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?
Osteopaths are healthcare professionals who are specifically trained in diagnosing health issues. Osteopathy is a system of assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing a wide range of health problems but are perhaps more commonly known for treating back pain and postural problems including changes due to pregnancy, caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and minor sports injuries.
Osteopaths are also trained to check for signs of serious conditions they cannot treat. In these circumstances, you will be informed of what they believe is the problem and refer you to see your GP or hospital for further investigations.
Osteopaths successfully help many patients in everyday clinic who suffer with some of the following problems; Foot and ankle pain, hand and elbow pain, hip pain, knee pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, tennis elbow / golfers elbow and head aches.
Your consultation
At the start of your first appointment, you will be asked questions about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. This is very important as it will help to make an accurate diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment.
We write down what you tell us in your records. These will be treated as confidential in accordance with standards of practice set out by the General Osteopathic Council and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you wish, you may request a copy of your notes, but you may be charged an administration fee for this.
We will need to examine the area(s) of your body causing discomfort. Sometimes the cause of the problem may be in a different area to the pain, (For example, pain in your lower arm may be linked to the nerves in your neck) so your whole body may need to be examined. There will be a need to feel for any tightness in the muscles and stiffness in the joints and these areas may need to be examined to identify problems. Pierre will explain what he is doing as he examines the problematic areas.
If you are uncomfortable with any part of this, you have the right to ask to stop at any stage, without prejudicing your future treatment.
What to wear
As with any healthcare appointment, it may be necessary for you to remove some clothing. This is so the areas of the body causing you concern can be seen properly. We want you to feel at ease, therefore if you feel uncomfortable undressing to your underwear, you can wear clothing such as shorts and a t-shirt, or close-fitting garments ( leggings / vest top , that will enable us to work effectively, so please discuss this with him prior to your appointment.)
You are welcome to ask a friend or relative to accompany you and be present throughout your appointment.
Your treatment
We will make a diagnosis and discuss a course of treatment with you. This may involve further visits for manual therapy – a range of gentle hands on techniques that focus on releasing tension, stretching muscles and mobilising joints. Together with exercises that you can do at home and helpful advice designed to help you relieve or manage your pain, keep active and maintain the best of health.
Osteopaths are recognised by the NHS as allied health professionals and play a critical role in the diagnosis, treatment and care of people of all ages.
Complaints: Your osteopath will be able to provide details of the practice complaints procedure on request. Any complaint will be properly investigated and appropriate action taken.
Adults
Osteopathy is primarily a manual therapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal problems, aimed at helping restore, maintain and promote physical and psychosocial well-being.
Osteopaths not only treat people suffering from pain, but also help them maintain a health approach to life. Each person is assessed as an individual and once a diagnosis has been formed, a personal treatment plan is formulated including advice for future prevention of the problem.
Babies and Children
Many mums and dads have found cranial osteopathy helpful. Every parent’s priority is to provide the best environment to support their child’s health as they develop and grow. Osteopathic practice is safe and effective. Research has shown that people trust their osteopath and are extremely satisfied by their experience of osteopathic care. This provides parents confidence in the level of care their children can expect to receive.
Children’s requirements differ depending on the stage of their development. As they grow from infants, toddlers, children to teenagers, consideration is given to your child’s individual needs, age and stage of development, and therefore the advice and treatment will adapt accordingly.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body undergoes immense physical changes both structurally and hormonally in a very short space of time. As the body adapts to the growing baby, it is common to experience back and joint pain as a result of carrying the additional weight and osteopaths are qualified to help relieve those symptoms. Treatment is gentle with massage techniques and where required, gentle joint manipulation. The safety of the mother and baby is paramount at all times.
For further information on how osteopathy can help in Pregnancy see: http://www.ncor.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Osteopathy-and-Pregnancy.pdf
Equine Osteopathy
Animal osteopathy is a branch of manual therapy based on the same practice and principles as human osteopathy, evaluating the whole picture, rather then fixating on the site of pain or dysfunction. Where animals are concerned, this means working closely with third parties, such as owners, vets, trainers and behaviourists. Equine osteopathy attempts to achieve free-flowing movement using soft tissue stretch and massage, articulatory and adjustment techniques. It assists in the relaxation, rehabilitation and performance of horses. Pierre is able to identify stresses which may lead to a variety of symptoms from bucking to arthritis and lameness.
Horse & Animal Complaints
Reduced performance both competitively and at home
Gait problems such as tracking-up/short striding problems
Stiffness in different areas of the body or “cold backed” symptoms
Reluctance to work on certain reins or transition problems
Problems with head carriage
Changes in behaviour: bucking, rearing, kicking and bolting
Objections to being tacked up
Maintaining mobility
Aiding uneven muscle bulk and imbalances
Aiding rehabilitation after injury or specific diagnosed conditions
Please Text or Email Pierre today for more information on Canine or Equine osteopathy and how he can help
Other Treatments Available
The following treatments are available at the Thrapston Orchard Clinic from my colleagues
Acupuncture
Sports Injury Therapy (Clinical Remedial & Sports Massage)
Low Level Laser Therapy
Chiropody/Podiatry
Food Health Testing
Medical Herbalist
Person Centred Counsellor
Human Givens Psychotherapy
Reflexology