Frequently Asked Questions
Please scroll below for answers to these questions...What is osteopathy?
What training does an osteopath have?
How is the profession regulated?
Why choose osteopathy?
Is it safe?
Will treatment hurt?!
Are all osteopaths the same?
What is the difference between an osteopath, a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
Do I need a referal from my GP?
How many sessions will I need?
What will happen at the initial consultation?
What kinds of treatment do you use?
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a well established and recognized system of diagnosing, treating and preventing musculoskeletal disorders (pain arising in the muscles, joints, nerves, ligaments and tendons).What training does an osteopath have?
It takes four years full time or five years 'modified' attendance to train to be an osteopath. This length of time is required in order to aquire the necessary knowledge of anatomy, physiology and differential diagnosis as well as to develop the clinical skills needed to treat people. Over this period of time the hands through repeated practice become more sensitive so that small movements in the joints or localised restrictions can be detected. Similarly changes in the muscle tone and texture can be felt and treated.The General Osteopathic Council is the regulating body for osteopaths and schools of osteopathy have to satisfy the council that their syllabus meets their rigorous standards of training.
When I trained over twenty years ago we were awarded a diploma in osteopathy (represented by the letters D.O. after ones name). The modern day equivalent is a Masters of Science degree (MSc).
How is the profession regulated?
The title of 'Osteopath' became legally protected through an act of Parliament a few years ago which means that you can only call yourself an osteopath if you have completed a course of study (usually 4 years full time) at a school recognised by the General Osteopathic Council the regulating body for osteopathy. This ensures a high standard of training and adherence to a strict code of conduct so that members of the public can have every confidence they are in safe professional hands.Why choose osteopathy?
When you choose to see an osteopath you can be confident that you are seeing a highly trained and skilled professional who is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders . We are all required to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council and the title is legally protected through an act of Parliament.Here are some more potential benefits of seeking treatment with an osteopath...
Is it safe?
The length and quality of training that osteopaths undertake (see 'What training does an osteopath have?') ensures that practitioners are safe and competant at what they do. We update our skills and knowledge regularly through 'Continual Professional Development' partly as a requirement of the General Osteopathic Council in order to register each year but also for our own professional satisfaction.Will it hurt!
You may be suprised to know that some people find having an osteopathic treatment is both soothing and relaxing, even to the point of falling asleep! That said, when someone is in acute pain or when sore areas are being worked on with massage, stretching or manipulation, a degree of 'therapeutic discomfort' may be experienced. it is often said to be a 'nice sort of hurt' or that 'it feels like it's doing me good' and it can feel quite a welcome relief for a vague ache to be pinpointed. I don't personally subscribe to the 'no pain-no gain' approach to treatment and always encourage feedback during the treatment to ensure working within an individuals comfort zone.Are all osteopaths the same?
Whilst I think it is true to say that all osteopaths have a similar background and quality of training it is also true that osteopaths as fellow members of the human species are a diverse group of individuals with differing personalities, interests and approaches to treatment. Some like to use predominantly high velocity thrusts ('bone cracking'!) as their main form of treatment, whilst others ( cranial osteopaths for example) use very little if any and favour light touch 'cranial techniques'. Some osteopaths use massage as part of their treatment whilst others prefer other techniques. On balance most osteopaths will use a variety of techniques to suit the individual but may have a natural inclination towards particular ones.For myself after 20 years of experience I have found a blend of massage, stretching, gentle rhythmic movements and occasional use of manipulation when called for provides the greatest relief for the majority of conditions.
When choosing an osteopath it may be helpful to have a flavour of their particular style of working. It's useful if you know someone who has already had treatment and can give a personal recommendation but it's also fine to ring and talk to the practitioner concerned and ask what range of treatments they offer.
What is the difference between an osteopath, a chiropractor and a physiotherapist?
This question is often asked of me and I must admit I never find it an easy one to answer. This is mainly because I have had little personal experience of receiving treatment from either a physiotherapist or chiropractor. Some of my information therefore has been gleaned second hand from my patients experience of these professions so with these reservations here are my current views....Physiotherapists are more aligned to the NHS with regard to their training and employment although many also work privately. Within the NHS as with many departments they are over worked and underfunded resulting in waiting lists,a restricted number of sessions and less 'hands on' treatments. Physiotherapists do not train in spinal manipulation (as used by osteopaths and chiropractors) as part of their degree course but may take it as a post graduate course. Physiotherapists are more likely to use other modalities such as electrotherapy and laser as part of the treatment plan, and prescribe remedial exercises.
Chiropractors just ot confuse the issue, are divided into 'Mc Timoney' chiropractors and traditional chiropractors. The former is said to be a gentle form of spinal manipulation using a particular technique. The later have more similarities with osteopaths in regard to the length of training and type of manipulations used. To my knowledge the main treatment modality of chiropractors is the 'high velocity thrust' techniques (a small movement to a joint at high speed often resulting in a 'click'). Some practices have in-house X-ray facilities and chiropractors have some training in radiology.
For more information I would advise going to their respective society websites.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
Although GPs regularly refer patients to me, the majority of people seeking consultation are self referred and come directly for assessment and treatment. Osteopaths are specialists, trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions as well as being able to recognise when a complaint has a medical cause that requires referral to a GP.How many sessions will I need?
Initially it's simply a question of coming in and having a consultation to find out what the problem is and what can be done about it. The various options are then discussed one of which may be to have a course of treatments. How many sessions are likely to be needed depends on many factors. How much damage is there? What area of the body is involved? Is the injury acute or chronic? Is it a recurring problem? What lifestyle factors might be involved and can they be influenced? How much are you willing to participate in your own recovery? What age group are you?For some only two or three sessions are needed for a full recovery and for others patience and persistence may be required in order to gain more lasting relief.
As a rough guide I often suggest having four sessions or so and then reviewing the healing process to see what may be needed from there.
What will happen at the initial consultation?
Every osteopath will have their own particular style of history taking and examination so I will describe my own approach. On first arrival there are some formal details to note for the records... name, address, etc. I would then invite you to describe the problem area(s) for which you are seeking relief. In order to understand your condition more fully I might ask a range of questions such as...'how long have you had this condition?', 'are you aware of how it started?', 'where do you feel it?', 'what seems to aggravate or help it?'...etc.An examination of the area involved and any related areas would follow. This is likely to require you to remove a minimum amount of clothing depending on the region concerned. (During the treatment stage you are covered with a large towel for your comfort). The examination would allow an opportunity to assess any relevant postural factors, to observe how the area moves in different directions and to explore the 'texture' of the muscles and the 'feel' of the joints. There are also a wide range of special tests similar to those used in orthopaedic and neurological consultations that help with diagnosis.
Treatment, examination and diagnosis tend to blend into one another as a muscle or joint test combines with a therapeutic manoeuvre and back to retesting. Treatment is based on the both on the initial findings and our agreed goals, and on the whole will be aimed at reducing pain and inflammation where present, relaxing tight muscles, increasing mobility and encouraging a good blood supply where needed. The range of treatments I personally use are covered in the section below entitled 'What kinds of treatment do you use?'.
Self-help exercises are often offered so that if you wish to you can actively participate in your own recovery and give yourself a mini-treatment each day! This can be an essential part of your recovery process. Also taking the time to investigate and discuss the possible causes and conditions that have lead to your inury can provide vital information that tackles the roots of your condition rather than just treating the symptoms.
