Consults • What To Expect

Your Consult

As a new patient, your initial Consultation In-Clinic will last approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

As technology has evolved the vast majority of patients will be sent a Confidential Medical History Form via email or text, to be completed and submitted electronically, before they attend their in-clinic appointment. However, for some patients who are not so ‘tech savvy’ this can be completed during your consultation in-clinic or before hand over the phone. These options will be assessed when booking your first appointment.

As a new patient it is essential, for us not only to understand your current problems; but also your health and well-being history as well as any medical conditions you may have. This ensures we can choose the most appropriate treatment techniques and give you the best advice.

Your Consultation Form includes questions about the following:

• Your presenting condition
• Medical history
• Current medication you may have been prescribed by your doctor
• Food supplements you may be taking
• Previous illness, operations and injuries
• Lifestyle
• Family medical history
• Exercise and sleep habits
• Any changes in your general health

Communication is key. It is important for you to have a thorough understanding of your condition, how it affects your general health and well-being and what changes you can make to your lifestyle to improve your quality of life. So please do ask as many questions as necessary during your consultation and treatment.

Examination

Following your consultation, we will conduct a detailed physical examination; this usually involves removing some of your clothing, so that we can see the area that is causing problems and any related joints and muscles.

Please note that during examination and treatment we always respect your privacy; we use towels where appropriate, to always make you as comfortable as possible.

We assess your posture, range of movements and joint function and area of pain/discomfort and assessment of individual tissues by palpation (this is the osteopaths’ highly developed sense of touch); tissue texture changes, asymmetry of tissues and tenderness reveal important information to the osteopath. This helps us to understand and identify any points of weakness, swelling or excessive strain or injury.

Various medical tests e.g. Reflexes, blood pressure will be performed where appropriate.

Although an osteopath’s skills generally enable diagnosis to be reached without the need for further investigations, there may be occasions where diagnostic testing is necessary to assist with your diagnosis and treatment management. If additional investigations, such as: x-rays, scans, blood tests or urine analysis, are necessary they can be arranged through your GP, or we can request these tests privately, depending on your circumstances and how you wish to proceed.

For more information about professional fees and the cost of tests, please refer to the Professional Fees and Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Tests sections of our website.

Once we have all this information, we will form a diagnosis which will be discussed with you and, a suitable treatment plan can then be designed and treatment can begin.

Treatment

Treatment is included in your initial consultation. Osteopathy is patient centred, which means the treatment is tailored to you as an individual. Your age, condition, degree of pain and general health, will influence how you are treated and also how you respond. Naturopathic Osteopathy is all hands on and involves the use of a variety of treatment techniques such as: deep soft tissue massage of muscles, ligaments and tendons, both passive and active stretching, gentle traction techniques, mobilisation/articulation and gentle manipulation of joints when appropriate (this is the click from the joints – it may sound alarming, but it is just the sound of gas bubbles popping in the joint fluid). The unique combination of these techniques help to reduce pain, joint stiffness, muscle tension, inflammation and improve joint mobility, tissue health, blood and nerve supply, all in a gentle and rarely uncomfortable, yet specific way.

Preparation

Preparation for your appointment

What to wear

Personal Hygiene

It goes without saying that ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’, please ensure that you have attended to your personal hygiene prior to your appointments. Thank you.

It is advisable to wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move in and easily removed for examination and treatments. Some male patients prefer to wear shorts and for ladies, comfortable underwear is fine. For exercise sessions please wear a track suit or gym wear.

Aftercare

Aftercare and advice

Our treatment goals, are to speed up your recovery and get you moving as soon as possible. Patients occasionally experience some soreness or stiffness after treatment; this is completely normal and usually lasts no more than 24-48 hours. As part of your aftercare, hydrotherapy such as: ice compresses or hot and cold packs, may be advised depending on your condition. We will also discuss the use of simple medications where appropriate, exercises, relaxation, nutritional and lifestyle advice. Osteopathy is a very safe, non-invasive treatment without the side effects of drugs. However, if you have any concerns following treatment please telephone us as soon as possible.

Further Treatments

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

The number of treatments required is completely dependant on your condition and is influenced by many factors, including your individual circumstances.

ACUTE INJURIES generally require a course of 3-6 treatments to achieve the greatest benefit.

CHRONIC CONDITIONS may need regular treatments for a period of time to prevent relapse.

The vast majority of patients respond really well to osteopathic treatment, however, if there is little or no progress in 3 or 4 treatments, we will reassess and if appropriate will cease treatment and refer you back to your GP or another practitioner.

TIME OPTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP CONSULTS:

• 30 minutes
• 45 minutes

The vast majority of Follow-Up appointments are 30 minutes long. However, for patients with more complex conditions, or when we need to incorporate exercises, relaxation or other advice into the appointment time, 45 minute appointment is recommended.