What is osteopathy?
Is osteopathy a new treatment?
How does osteopathy work?
How does osteopathy work with orthodox medicine?
What is the scope of osteopathic practice? Where can osteopathy help?
What happens on a first visit to a registered osteopath?
How do registered osteopaths treat their patients?
Do I need to be referred by my doctor?
What if I need a sick note?
What training has a registered osteopath received?
Does osteopathy work?
Recognition of osteopathy?
How much will I have to pay for treatment?
Why is the body framework so important to health?
A first consultation with a Registered Osteopath is similar to that of a Registered Medical Practitioner. The osteopath will want to know how the symptoms began and the factors, which affect them. A complete medical history will be taken, then previous illnesses and injuries and also current treatments will be noted. A Registered Osteopath is qualified to carry out a conventional examination, and to reach a diagnosis, so he may decide to make an orthopaedic, neurological or circulatory examination. X-rays, blood tests or urine analysis may be requested as well. This part of the examination is very important because patients may not have seen their doctor before hand. A Registered Osteopath is trained to identify any condition, which might require other treatment or referral to the patient's General Practitioner.
From the outset of his training the Registered Osteopath develops a highly tuned sense of touch in his fingers. He will make a methodical assessment of the patient's posture and structural state and conduct a detailed examination by touch. He will feel the range and quality of movement of the joints to note whether the movement is restricted or excessive. He will examine the condition of the soft tissues, the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue to see whether they are normal or under stress. In this way the Registered Osteopath builds up a structural 'survey' of the patient to find any deviation from the structural and mechanical harmony, which is the optimum for that individual.