An Osteopath can be a vital component of your healthcare team. They apply the philosophy of treating the body as a whole, and may be able to provide assistance in some common complaints. As we celebrate Osteopathy Awareness Week (15-22 April), we look at the 7 top reasons why you would see an Osteopath.
1. YOU HAVE NECK PAIN
Pain in your neck can be acute or chronic, both commonly treated by our Osteopaths. They will identify the tissue-causing structure of your neck pain and treat that tissue and surrounding areas to aid in relieving your pain and prevent the condition from reoccurring
2. YOU SUFFER FROM HEADACHES OR MIGRAINES
There is a vast array of headache types and there are different types of migraines too. Your Osteopath can help identify which type you are suffering from and apply appropriate hands-on treatment and provide post treatment management and advice
3. YOU STRUGGLE WITH ONGOING LOWER BACK PAIN
Lower back pain accounts for a high percentage of the patients we have coming in to the clinic for treatment. Again, we can identify tissue-causing structures and treat your specific condition accordingly. We can also refer you for imaging should it be required (including MRI’s), as well as liaising with your GP or specialists if needed
4. YOU SIT AT A DESK 8+ HOURS A DAY
I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying that ‘sitting is the new smoking’, and whilst we cannot confirm or deny that statement, we do agree that there are many postural compensations associated with long periods of sitting, and we have many patients coming in complaining of aliments relating to their desk bound jobs in front of computer screens. We can treat your aliments, discuss your work place ergonomics and get you on a home maintenance regime to aid with your posture and reduce your pain levels
5. YOU’RE WORRIED YOUR CHILD MAY HAVE SCOLIOSIS OF THEIR SPINE
Osteopaths are well trained in assessing both children and adults for scoliosis, from both assessing the spine in the treatment room, to reading X-rays that show the degree of scoliosis and knowing when to refer accordingly
6. UPPER BACK AND/OR RIB PAIN THAT MAY CAUSE YOU PAIN WITH BREATHING
The spine and rib cage are so closely interrelated that often one area affects the other. As Osteopaths, we assess and treat the whole body in order to get you functioning optimally. Often the diaphragm may also be affected due to its proximity up under the rib cage and this is a region that Osteopaths can treat
7. SPORTING INJURIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANKLE SPRAINS, ACUTE KNEE PAIN, TENNIS ELBOW OR ROTATOR CUFF TEARS
Osteopaths have a minimum of 5 years University training and are simply not limited to treating backs and necks as is often thought. We are trained to assess and treat the whole person, including sporting injuries to any region of the body.
WHAT HAPPENS IN MY FIRST OSTEOPATHIC CONSULT?
- Your Osteopath will initially commence with a case history and ask you to describe your pain or ailment to them and ask you further questions about your problem/injury
- They will also ask you in detail about your past medical history, including medications you may be taking and your family history
- An osteopathic examination will then be performed, including active and passive movements, orthopedic testing, postural assessment and/or neurological tests
- Your Osteopath will then explain their thoughts regarding your condition (their diagnostic opinion) and why you are suffering from it. They will then inform you if it is safe for them to treat you or whether you need to be referred to another health professional or for imaging
- With your consent, treatment will begin and include techniques such as soft tissue massage, stretching, joint articulation and/or manipulation and muscle energy technique
- Following treatment, your Osteopath will provide you with post treatment care management and advice, including, but not limited to, take home stretches, strengthening exercises, postural advice, advice on your gym routine and advice on nutrition.
If you are interested in seeing an Osteopath for one of the above ailments, our friendly Practitioners will be happy to meet with you to discuss your healthcare goals. Simply book online or call (03) 9836 3688 to make an appointment today.