Frequently Asked Questions
We hope that, by browsing through this website, you will find out a great deal about Osteopathy and other services we offer.
However, from talking to patients over many years, we have found that a number of questions arise again and again. We have tried to answer these below, but if you find your particular query is not dealt with, please give us a ring.
- How many times will I need to come?
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This, obviously, depends very much on the diagnosis of your particular problem. Some problems are very painful, but actually quite simple to resolve, and the patient may only need one or two sessions. Other people find they feel very much better within a few sessions, but, because of the nature of the problem or, perhaps, the job that they do, they need regular treatment to help them maintain a good quality of life.
At your initial consultation your Osteopath should be able to indicate how much treatment is likely to be needed, or, in some cases, a week later when they have been able to see your response to your first treatment.
- Am I too old to see an Osteopath?
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Not at all! We have successfully treated many patients in their 80s & 90s. Many now regularly consult us for treatment to ensure that age associated conditions such as osteo-arthritis are prevented from causing further degeneration.
- Is Osteopathy suitable for children?
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Yes, definitely. From newborn babies to young adolescents, very gentle techniques can be used which are covered in the section of cranial osteopathy.
- Can I see an Osteopath whilst I am pregnant?
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Yes Osteopathy is probably the treatment of choice for musculo-skeletal pain during pregnancy, because both medication and bed-rest are not advised.
It is hardly surprising that low back and pelvic pain in particular are very common in pregnant women, given the increased weight and postural changes that occur. In addition, hormones are released in pregnancy causing ligament laxity enabling the pelvic joints to loosen and the birth canal to widen. These hormones are released surprisingly early in pregnancy, so that joint strains of all kinds are much more common than at other times, and should respond quite readily to Osteopathic treatment. There is no evidence to suggest that osteopathic treatment is in any way dangerous to the unborn child, nor that it can bring on a miscarriage.
Please do not hesitate to give us a ring to discuss any concerns you may have.
- Do Osteopaths treat feet and other parts of the body?
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Osteopathy can treat any problem arising from the musculo-skeletal system including all the joints, ligament and muscles of the body, not just the low back.
Classically, osteopathy was founded by treating meningitis, typhoid and diphtheria. However, where some osteopaths continue to treat these conditions it is the view of The Osteopathic Centre that a pharmaceutical approach from your local General Practitioner should be the initial first port of call and that osteopathic treatment should be used in conjunction with this treatment not instead of it.
People are often troubled by foot pain but regard feet as beneath consideration although the feet are expected to carry the full body weight and many spend much of their day standing. The Osteopathic Centre is glad to be able to offer custom made functional orthotics that are uniquely tailored to the contours of your foot. Functional orthotics are orthopaedic insoles that correct your specific foot imbalance. The Orthotics you are prescribed from the Osteopathic Centre are the highest quality devices currently available in the world. This is achieved through innovative computer aided design and technology (CAD-CAM), which is now recognised by many in the profession as the way forward.
- What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?
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Osteopathy and Chiropractic treatment have very similar origins in 19th century North America, and treat patients with similar conditions, using hands-on techniques.
However, it may be in the history of each profession that a distinction is found. Osteopathy was founded by Andrew Taylor Still in 1874 who believed the restriction to arteries and nerves resulted in the body not being healthy enough to be able to fight disease by itself. Chiropractic Treatment was founded 21 years after the foundation of Osteopathy by Daniel David Palmer who had been a patient of Stills in Kirksville. Palmers' 'straight' chiropractic philosophy argued that there is a single cause of all diseases - deranged nerves.
At The Osteopathic Centre we never leave patients by themselves for long periods linked up to heat or vibratory pads, nor do we use any mechanical manipulation devices.
Patients are often confused by the use of the title Dr by Chiropractors. This is a courtesy title only. It does not necessarily denote previous medical qualification, nor the holding of a higher degree and its use may be very misleading. Any doubts concerning exact qualifications should be addressed to the individual practitioner.
- What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Physiotherapist?
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Although many Physiotherapists work outside the hospital field in private practice, their training tends to focus on hospital-based work, given them a greater expertise in the areas of rehabilitation following severe trauma or after surgery. Osteopaths excel where problems have arisen for no apparent reason, as far as the patient is concerned, but probably stem from an individual´s posture or daily life-style.
Please note that the answers to the questions given above are the opinion of the author alone.