What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy primarily treats physical aches and pains. Osteopaths find areas of tension and asymmetry in the body and treat these areas using techniques such as deep tissue massage, stretching, mobilisation (helping the joint to go through the normal range of motion) and manipulation (sometimes people refer to this as ‘clicking’ a joint, really it is a painless way of freeing up a tight joint).
Osteopaths are trained to work out the causes of underlying problems which may be to do with how someone sits at work, foot problems, stress, sport or a host of other causes.
What can Osteopathy treat?
Patients have perceived that the following conditions have been helped by osteopathy:
- Arthritic Pain
- Muscle Spasms
- Neck Ache
- Fibromyalgia
- Whiplash
- Back Ache
- Circulatory Problems
- Digestion Problems
- Sciaticia
- Inability to relax
- Minor Sports Injuries
- Aches and Pains
- Back Pain
- Joint Pains
How does Osteopathy work?
Osteopathy is covered by most Health Insurance.
Usually you will not need a referral from your GP, just give your health insurance company a call to obtain an authorisation code and the rest will be sorted, with nothing to pay up front
Osteopathy works by freeing up tension and improving symmetry throughout the whole body. It works on muscles and joints, ligaments and tendons.
Osteopathy alleviates tightness and in doing so frees trapped nerves and muscular spasm, as well as improving blood and lymphatic flow. It helps to restore balance to the spine and whole nervous system, people often feel relaxed and an improved sense of well-being over the course of treatment.
What will an Osteopathy session involve?
During an osteopathy session, you will be asked about the problem and how it came about as well as a detailed medical history. You will be asked to remove outer layers of clothing so that the area can be seen. The osteopath will conduct a standing examination and then you will be asked to lie or sit on the couch. Treatment will then be given according to your needs.