We are a friendly and patient-centred practice, so there is no need to feel anxious about your first visit to us.
Your first appointment is an hour long, during which your osteopath will listen to your problem description and take a detailed case history. This includes not only the background to your current situation but any previous accidents, injuries or medical history so that they can get a complete picture of how your body functions and ensure that osteopathic treatment is appropriate for you.
Your osteopath may then ask you to remove some of your clothing, often down to your underwear, with your consent (please feel free to bring shorts and a singlet if you feel more comfortable) so that they can adequately assess your posture and biomechanics are influencing your current problem. They may then ask you to perform basic movements and often do simple orthopaedic tests, such as reflexes, to help formulate a diagnosis.
Once the osteopath has their hands on you to feel how the tissues and joints correspond to touch and gentle movement, they will put all this information to a diagnosis, explaining their findings and outlining a proposal of how to help you best. You also get treatment on the first visit and will often be advised on how to manage your problem, both with exercises and posture, so that you can get back to living your life fully.
Depending on the severity and prognosis of the problem, the osteopath may advise a course of treatment, often up to six or eight treatments. Sometimes ongoing treatment is needed for longer-term conditions, but this will be discussed with you, along with goals for you to reach, so treatment can be spread out while you rehabilitate.
If the osteopath suspects any underlying undiagnosed medical condition, we will refer you immediately to your GP or other health professional as appropriate.
