How many sessions will I need?
This depends on how severe the condition is, how long you have suffered and your body’s ability to respond to treatment. Chronic long-standing conditions rarely respond overnight.
As a rough guide, most people will have started to notice a change by the third session, many will already be well on the way to recovery. Some will need between six and eight sessions to feel fully better.
How often will I need to come?
Your body will require a certain amount of input in the form of treatment before it will respond. Most people come twice a week for the first couple of weeks then come weekly for a while. It really depends on your availability and the nature of the condition.
Some conditions benefit from regular maintenance treatments once a month, other people, particularly those with heavy jobs find that coming three or four times over the year is enough to prevent injury.
Is the treatment painful ?
Your osteopath will always try to minimise any discomfort where possible. Most people would say that certain elements may be unpleasant but that these are quickly out weighed by the results. If you have any specific concerns speak to your osteopath before the treatment.
I had my first treatment yesterday and today I can hardly move, is this right?
Some people do feel very stiff the day after a treatment, this is the body responding to the process of postural re-organisation. This feeling should only last twenty four hours after which you should start to feel a lot freer. If you are concerned please call the clinic.
Will osteopathy work for me?
It is not always possible to help everyone. Unfortunately some people leave it too late to seek advice and the problem may have become deep seated. Others may not have the necessary health to respond to treatment. This is not necessarily age related as many elderly people respond well.
There are a number of factors that can slow progress down such as long standing chronic disease, heavy smoking, obesity, poor diet, alcoholism or an inability to take responsibility for the nature of your condition. Any combination of the factors above may make results harder to achieve.
If you have a positive outlook, are willing to make the changes necessary to your daily routine and diet then there is no reason why you cannot make a good improvement.
If you are are unsure whether osteopathy will help your particular condition, your osteopath will be happy to discuss your problem in more detail.
How do I know if it’s working?
It can take some time to get a patient pain free, particularly if the problem has been there for a while. You should pay attention to the range of motion that you have and how the sensations are changing. Some chronic conditions do become more acute before they resolve or the area where you feel the pain may shift as the body unwinds.
I am on warfarin, can I still receive osteopathic treatment?
Make sure that you inform your osteopath of any medications you are taking or changes to your prescription. You can still be treated by the osteopath who will use a different range of techniques.
Will it affect my medical record?
Your treatment is confidential and any details can only be passed to third parties on your request.
Should I keep taking my medication?
If you are on a course of prescribed medications you should not stop taking them until you have discussed it with your G.P. Many people reduce their reliance on medication by seeing their osteopath for regular maintenance visits which can help to reduce pain and stiffness, again you should discuss your plans with your GP.
If you are taking over the counter pain killers you can reduce them as you see fit, it is always wise to phase them out gradually rather than cease completely.
Can I claim on my Health Insurance?
It is generally a good idea to call your insurers to check that you are covered for Osteopathy. Most insurers do, but the rates that they pay and the method of claiming varies, for more detail see Medical insurance.