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What should I wear when I visit an Osteopath?
In most cases, light and loose clothing is suitable. If you are in your office clothes, bringing along loose workout bottoms or shorts and a t-shirt may be advisable. Gowns are available at the clinic, should you require one. Osteopathy works by taking an integrated approach, so examination and treatment of what might seem unrelated areas may be essential for your effective and safe treatment. Your privacy and modesty will be respected at all times.
If you wish to bring along a friend or relative to act as your chaperone, you are always welcome to do so.
Do manipulations hurt?
Manipulation or adjustments are not inherently painful. Some discomfort will occasionally be experienced when an injury is treated, even with gentle soft tissue techniques. Your Osteopath will be sensitive to your symptoms and will not proceed with a technique if there is undue discomfort.
It is wrong to assume that you will always have manipulation whenever you go to an Osteopath; many successful treatments can be conducted without its use. Osteopaths usually keep their patients informed as to what they are doing as the treatment progresses.
Why do my joints make ‘clicking’ or ‘popping’ noises when they are manipulated?
Joint manipulation techniques or adjustments (also known as ‘high velocity thrust’ – HVT ) are very useful and can provide excellent therapeutic benefits, by breaking down adhesions and improving the range of motion between facet joints within the spine and between the peripheral joints. It is especially useful for the more acute types of injuries or very chronic conditions. HVT, however, is by no means the only way or, in fact, the treatment of first choice.
The audible click often associated with joint manipulation is believed to be the result of a phenomenon known as cavitation - occurring within the synovial fluid of the joint. When a manipulation is performed, the applied force separates the articular surfaces of a fully encapsulated synovial joint. This deforms the joint capsule and intra-articular tissues, which in turn creates a reduction in pressure within the joint cavity (Brodeur R, 1995). In this low pressure environment, some of the gases that are dissolved in the synovial fluid (which are naturally found in all bodily fluids) leave solution creating a bubble or cavity (vacuum), which rapidly collapses upon itself, resulting in a 'clicking' sound. The contents of this gas bubble are thought to be mainly carbon dioxide (Unsworth A, Dowson D, Wright V, 1971).The effects of this process will remain for a period of time termed the 'refractory period', which can range from a few minutes to more than an hour, while it is slowly reabsorbed back into the synovial fluid. This is why after your joints’ ‘click’; it will only ‘click’ again after a period of time.
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How many treatments does it take to get me better?
Our aim is to get you back to full health as quickly as possible. Each person is an individual, with different genetics, different in the way they look after their bodies, nature/length of injury, and the way they react to treatment and act on the information they are given, so an exact number of treatments is hard to say.
There are often three phases within a treatment plan – the first is the Pain phase, which can be acute or chronic; the second is the Corrective phase, ongoing treatment after the pain has subsided to correct existing chronic states and misalignment within joints, soft tissues and overall posture; and the third is the Maintenance phase, where periodic check-ups and treatment are recommended for preventative care. From experience, in most cases without complications, an acute pain episode may require one to three treatments while chronic conditions may need ongoing treatments averaging six, eight to twelve sessions, depending on the severity and existing state of the condition.
Advice outside of treatment given by your Osteopath such as exercises, ergonomics, nutrition etc. is also essential for your recovery and can have a large impact on your recovery time.
What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?
Historically this is a political answer relating to the founder of Osteopathy, Dr.Andrew Taylor Still (1828 – 1917), falling out with his student, D.D. Palmer (1845 – 1913), who then went on to be the founder of Chiropractic. The difference can be seen to lie in the founding principles and philosophies of the two professions and as time has passed, with better scientific and medical knowledge, the two professions have developed progressively with their own distinct identities.
Nowadays, the differences between the two are very little with many Osteopaths working like Chiropractors and vice versa. From an academic point of view, the training is almost identical now, being more than five years, and both healthcare systems are fully regulated in many countries.
Chiropractors most commonly concentrate on the spine and frequently use X-rays to diagnose and treat their patients. Chiropractors also often treat their patients by manipulating or adjusting the spine in much the same way as Osteopaths. Osteopaths, however, less frequently use X-rays as a diagnostic tool and restore function to a joint by extending the range of movement the joint can make, using a wide range of manipulative and soft tissue techniques.
Will my medical insurance cover Osteopathic treatments?
Yes, most insurance companies will reimburse your Osteopathic consultation and treatment fees. However, depending on your insurance company and its origin, individual policies may differ in their scope of coverage amongst different healthcare professions. Some exemptions may apply so please double check with your insurers if you intend to claim back fees paid out of your own pocket.
On some occasions, a referral letter by your GP may be all that is necessary, along with relevant receipts in order to have your fees reimbursed by your insurers.
Regular check ups, Maintenance?
More and more health-conscious individuals are taking a long-term view of their health, resulting in preventative care becoming increasingly popular. Just as you might visit an Optician or Dentist for regular check-ups, patients can benefit from visits to the Osteopath for advice and treatment when needed.
The contract of care that your Osteopath discussed with you on your first consultation will have given your Osteopath a good idea as to whether or not maintenance treatments might be beneficial to you, but only after the course of treatments in the management plan have been fulfilled will it become clear as to whether or not you are a candidate for maintenance.
Candidates for maintenance tend to be those who place a continued heavy burden on their bodies such as manual workers, performers and regular sports players. Individuals whose work requires prolonged sessions sitting in front of computers along with regular business trips which can lead to poor, weak postures, degeneration and pain will benefit from regular Osteopathic care and advice.
Other patients include those who are coping with long-term disability or have significant arthritic issues, such as Osteo-arthritis, that require regular intervention to manage and to delay the degenerative process.
Either way, the choice is entirely up to you and your Osteopath will discuss with you the options available, and will be happy to see you on your terms.
If you have any specific questions concerning health matters and Osteopathy which is not mentioned here, please Email us at info@osteopath-asia.com and we will be happy to answer you.
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