Is osteopathy safe?

Osteopathic treatment is very safe.

When people ask this question - they usually have manipulation in mind. There have been several studies to show that a series of neck manipulations is actually safer than taking a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID's) over the same period. Yes, these are the aspirin/Ibuprofen based variety that you can buy over the counter in the corner shop. So compared to the drug alternatives that only treat the symptoms it is extremely safe!

This technique would be explained before hand is not necessarily indicated or needed. I should point out that joint manipulation is just one of a wide range of techniques &/or treatment approaches that osteopaths use.

Fees vary from practice to practice. The initial consultation & treatment are usually more expensive, as it involves taking a full osteopathic & medical case history & therefore takes longer. You can expect to pay at least £30 & possibly as much as £80 for your initial appointment depending on your area, the reputation & experience of the osteopath.

Follow-up treatments are shorter & usually less expensive, and vary from about £20 to £40. Many osteopaths offer a concessionary rate with genuine cases of low income. Also, most private health insurance policies now cover for osteopathy, but check you policy first.

Will I be expected to have a set course of treatment?

Quite frankly if you're paying for it, then the decision is yours. We can only advise on this issue. I would advise asking this on the telephone when making the appointment or when you first walk into the treatment room. If the answer is a definite yes, before examination & case history taking, then I would be suspicious. 

Most osteopaths continually re-asses at each appointment. Everyone is different & respond differently, so if you get more of a vague answer, then it is actually a good sign. All we can say are generalizations. Such as an acute (short term), never happened before type problem may resolve with a single treatment, whereas a chronic (long term) or recurrent problem  is likely to take more treatments to resolve. Having said that, often with chronic conditions pain may actually be a late indication that there is a problem, so you may be advised to have one or two treatments & advised to continue with stretching or strengthening exercises after the pain has gone. With some ongoing problems i.e. chronic arthritis, then an occasional 'preventative' or 'maintenance' treatment may be advised, i.e. quarterly. 

Does osteopathic treatment hurt?

Not ordinarily. The approach that is most likely to be uncomfortable is deep soft tissue work, rather than manipulation (the technique that most fear). With a good patient - practitioner rapport, you should be encourage you to give feedback as to when it is becoming too uncomfortable. Known as 'therapeutic discomfort' this is usually that sort of sensation that is not comfortable, but not unpleasant either. As with a strong massage - a kind of 'it's doing you good' feeling.

Age is not a barrier to receiving osteopathic treatment as treatment is specifically adapted to the individual needs of the person. E.g. The very young are usually treated with cranial (cranio-sacral) osteopathy.

Do I need to be referred by my GP?

The short answer is no. This has never been the case even prior to osteopathy gaining official recognition by an Act of Parliament in '93 & giving osteopaths Primary Health Care Professionals alongside doctors, dentists & opticians. However, it is always advisable to keep your GP up to date, but you do not need to see them first.

However there are a few circumstances that it would be advisable;

·     A few insurances companies, i.e. BUPA that require GP referral for your claim to be processed.

·     If your complaint is related to a 'Personal Injury Claim', then you should keep your GP up to date. Your solicitor may ask either or both of us for a copy of you medical records or a report. For this you would have to have signed a consent form before we can legally release any of your personal details.

·     It may be worth trying your GP to see if you can get a referral to see an osteopath on the NHS. There are a small number of osteopaths that work for the NHS, but there's likely to be a waiting list.

Yes, it is in some areas. You'll need to ask your GP about this, but please bear in mind that there are some GP's that are still sceptical about osteopathy and they may not be fully aware of the wide range of conditions that osteopathy could help with.

You could always ring a local osteopath and ask if they are aware of any local provision for osteopathy on the NHS.

Will I be expected to undress?

For your best care & to fully asses the nature of the problem, then yes a level of undress would be required. In fact we could be regarded as being negligent if we were to asses, diagnose & treat without fully examining you. Obviously, more minor, peripheral problems (i.e. ankle strain, knee injury, etc) may be addressed with a lesser degree of undress, but we can only give you our best care if we are able to get a fuller, holistic picture of the problem.

Wearing 'appropriate underwear' is a good idea, a bikini or cycling shorts & sports bra would be acceptable or if this is a major issue, then you could see a 'same sex' osteopath. 

I would suggest that when it comes to issues of health, then some things are more important than vanity and we wouldn't expect to have been examined properly by our doctor, without having to undress to some degree. 

Parsons, Lavender & Associates 88 Rodney Street Liverpool Merseyside UK L1 9AR Tel - 0151 709 6639 Liverpool-Osteopaths.com

Blackwell Building Brook Street Neston South Wirral Cheshire UK CH64 9XJ Tel: 0151-336-6222 Holistic-Centre.org Neston is on the Cheshire side or the Cheshire / Merseyside border of the Wirral, mid way (10 miles) between Liverpool Merseyside & Chester Cheshire.

Wirral Osteopaths Penrhyn House 1A Penrhyn Avenue Thingwall Wirral Merseyside UK CH61 7UP Tel - 0151 648 6870 Wirral-Osteopaths.com