In order to cure the body it is necessary to have a knowledge of the whole of things.
Hippocrates
Before The Consultation
Make sure that you are ready for a 45-60 minute consultation if it is your first visit to the osteopath. Bring all relevant x-rays, ACC information and any relevant medical reports. Please arrive a few minutes early to fill in your administrative forms.
Please note that if you feel comfortable you may be asked to undress to your underwear. For this reason, please wear appropriate underwear or bring shorts (and a sports top if appropriate) to wear.
The Consultation
The osteopath will take a thorough case history and ask details about your health in general and any previous accidents, trauma, illnesses you have suffered. Even though many of the questions may seem irrelevant to your reason for coming, as much information as you can relay is extremely useful to the osteopath in assessing your general health and what may have lead to your present medical problem. Also, being a primary health practitioner it is important for the osteopath to first establish if you are suitable for osteopathic treatment or whether you should be referred to another health practitioner.
The osteopath will then perform a physical examination. This may consist of medical tests such as taking your blood pressure, reflexes, performing a cardiovascular, neurological or respiratory examination. A physical examination assessing your whole body biomechanics and the specific areas of concern will also be undertaken. As mentioned above you may be asked to uncover the area(s) of your body of concern, so it is useful to wear loose covered clothing. This is done only with your permission, and only do this if you feel comfortable, although recognise that the more information about the area the better the quality of diagnosis that the osteopath can make.
The osteopath will then discuss with you their diagnosis and a proposed treatment and management programme. Only with your consent will they then proceed with treatment.
After The Treatment
- You may feel tired, drowsy and need to rest or sleep more.
- Avoid vigorous activity, i.e.; sports, gym for the following 24 hours.
- Some people may experience an increase in pain for the first 24-48 hours following the treatment. This is normal as the body continues to adjust to the changes that have been made. If you have any concerns, or the pain continues past 48 hours please contact the osteopath immediately.