Osteopathy is a hands on therapy that uses movement, massage, and joint mobilisation to restore function and reduce pain. You don’t need a referral or even a diagnosis to see an osteopath, we can diagnose and treat in your first appointment.

What to Expect

Because we’re the first port of call, we take a detailed case history in your first appointment. We need to know all the factors that might have contributed to your pain in order to devise the most effective management plan. Some questions might seem irrelevant, but they’re important for screening more complicated things and keeping you safe. By the end of the history, we’ll have a few ideas about what’s going on. You might be asked to dress down as far as your underwear for an examination, where your osteopath will observe how you move. She’ll then test your movements again passively (doing the movment for you) where appropriate. All of the information gathered will form your diagnosis and treatment plan.

Unless your history and examination was very complicated, there will be time for hands on treatment in that first session. Most of the time this involves a mix of massage, stretching, mobilisation, and sometimes manipulation (cracking). Your osteopath will need ongoing consent for everything, so don’t worry that she’ll do anything you’re not comfortable with.

At the end of the session, you’ll have a diagnosis and explanation for your pain. You’ll have some advice, like exercises or ergonomic advice, and a rough idea of how long it should take to reach your goals.

Occasionally, it will be appropriate to refer you on. For example, if your pain looks like something autoimmune, like rheumatoid arthritis, you would need to see a rheumatologist to get an official diagnosis and access to the best medication. Mostly, these referrals can continue in the background while we continue to treat with the aim of providing relief, even if the root cause is something we can’t cure. In these cases, your goals will lead the management plan. Do you want treatment to make yourself more comfortable and keep you active while you wait for a root cause treatment? Or do you want to see how the referral goes and come back if you need it? You’re not a passenger in your health journey!

What do Osteopaths Treat?

It’s a common misconception that we only treat backs, but we’re well equipped to help with most musculoskeletal problems: that’s anything concerning muscles and joints. We also cover some nerve issues, like sciatica and neuralgia.

We can treat:

• arthritic pain
• lower back pain
• neck pain and associated headaches
• minor sports injuries

We can also help with managing migraines, fibromyalgia, rheumatic pain, and more.

Osteopaths, Physiotherapists, and Chiropractors

Patients often ask “what’s the difference between an osteopath, physiotherapist, and chiropractor?”. Sometimes the question is followed by “and which one should I see for this problem?”

Training for all three is quite similar. In private practice, we’re all able to diagnose and we treat hands on. Stereotypically, physiotherapists are the muscle experts, chiropractors the joint experts, and osteopaths are good at both! Each profession is regulated too, so you can check the corresponding registers to be sure your practitioner is qualified, insured and up to date. Osteopaths are regulated by the GOsC.

Click here for information to make an appointment in Llanddeusant.