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What To Expect

During your first visit you will be asked about your present problem and your past medical history. Your posture and the way your body moves will then need to be examined and to enable this you may be asked to dress down to your under clothes. Some people at this point like to change into a strappy top / vest and shorts. If a person raises a concern about wearing less we can discuss it and normally come to some agreement.

We are likely to want to perform some tests, such checking your reflexes and using touch, we may find tight or sensitive areas which helps us to determine what is causing the symptoms. A diagnosis will be made based on the case history and examination. This will be discussed with you and, assuming you are agreeable and time permits, treatment will begin on your first visit. (Treatment is included in the vast majority of initial sessions but very occasionally a patient has an involved past medical history that takes up the time).

If for some reason osteopathic treatment is not appropriate you will be recommended to see your doctor, or another suitable practitioner.

Osteopathy provides us with a wide range of gentle manipulations with which to treat people of different ages and fitness. Treatment includes numerous hands-on procedures, such as different types of soft tissue massage type techniques and joint articulations to release tension and stretch muscles. Some techniques involve only very fine movements of the practitioner's hands but all of them are applied to improve mechanical function.

Exercises and other self help techniques (such as postural advice and life style advice) may be given for you to do at home.