What To Expect At Your First Appointment
When visiting an osteopath for the first time, it is natural to feel a little unsure of what to expect. The following information has been developed to explain what happens and answer any questions you may have.
1. The Consultation
Osteopaths are healthcare professionals who are specifically trained in diagnosing health issues. At the start of your first appointment, your osteopath will ask you questions about your medical history and lifestyle, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. This is very important as it will help them to make an accurate diagnosis and suggest appropriate treatment.
2. Case History
Upon your first osteopathic consultation at Toward Health, your osteopath will take a detailed case history of your presenting complaint or problems.
Your osteopath will ask you about the nature of your discomfort, condition and pain including medical history.
In addition, your osteopath will ask you about your lifestyle. This allows your osteopath to know more about you and to adjust your treatment and examination to best address your problem.
Once all the relevant information has been gathered your osteopath will then complete the physical examination.
What to Wear & Why
We recommend that you wear underwear that you are comfortable standing in, for example sports bra, sports shorts etc.
In most instances, in order to best examine you, your osteopath will ask you to remove the items of clothing required for examination. It is not uncommon for patients to be in their underwear during examination and treatment. Being able to observe the body movement and examine the skin will lead to a more precise diagnosis.
Don’t hesitate to let your osteopath know if you have any concerns, we are here to help and listen to you.
3. Examination
During the examination, your osteopath will observe your posture, assess your movement, palpate the relevant joint and musculature and complete orthopaedic testing.
When indicated by your case history, your osteopath will also perform medical tests such as blood pressure, auscultation, palpation of various organs and systems check.
4. Diagnosis
During the examination, your osteopath will observe your posture, assess your movement, palpate the relevant joint and musculature and complete orthopaedic testing.
5. Treatment
Osteopathic treatment is hands-on. It involves moving muscles and joints using carefully selected mobilisation, manipulation and soft tissue tissues techniques to best suit your current needs
Throughout the treatment, your osteopath will explain to you what treatment is being done and how it will help you. The remainder of the appointment will be allocated to treatment.
6. After your treatment
At Exhale Osteopathy, we aim to take treatment beyond the treatment room. We aim to give you a full care package, alongside our onsite treatment we will give you lifestyles advice, exercise prescription. We believe this broad based approach will accelerate your recovery and give you control over your body long-term.