Osteopathic treatment is patient centred – i.e. it is tailored to the individual patient, taking into account not just the condition but also their occupation, lifestyle, age and the factors that have led up to or maintain their condition.

All osteopaths undergo a rigorous training in anatomy, physiology, clinical methods, pathology, technique and diagnosis at a college approved by the GOsC.

Since 1992 the Osteopaths Act has set up the General Council and Register of Osteopaths, the statutory body that safeguards educational and professional standards. Only practitioners registered with the GOsC can call themselves Osteopaths.

At the practice the receptionist or osteopath will first ask some routine questions such as your full name and address. Then the osteopath will spend time taking the case history. You will have plenty of time to tell them about your symptoms. The osteopath will then ask some further questions. They will ask medical questions as well. Some conditions that appear to come from the joints and muscles may actually be from an internal organ or be part of a ‘systemic’ condition affecting your general health and the osteopath needs to rule these out. They also need to know a lot about your past and present health as this could affect the problem you have come in with. They will also need to know about your work, hobbies and other lifestyle factors.

Then the osteopath will examine you. You will need to undress in a cubicle or behind a screen, either removing just your shirt/blouse or, depending on the condition, down to your underwear. You can ask for a chaperone if you wish.

The osteopath will look at your posture then ask you to perform some movements. You will then be asked to lie on the couch so the osteopath can palpate (feel) the muscles and how the joints move. They may need to do some other tests, such as taking your blood pressure or reflexes.

When the examination is completed the osteopath discusses their findings with you. If your case is suitable, they will describe the proposed osteopathic treatment to ensure you are happy to go ahead. In a few cases the osteopath might need to send you for further tests such as x-rays before starting the treatment.

If appropriate and the patient wishes, some treatment is usually given at the first visit. The exact nature of the treatment depends on the condition and the patient, but could include specific deep massage of muscles, stretching of individual limb or spinal joints, gentle release and balancing techniques, manual traction-release and low-amplitude high-velocity thrusts of joints.

At the end of the treatment, the patient will be advised when you should return and what to do or avoid meanwhile. There is plenty of opportunity for patients to ask questions.


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