We understand that no two people are the same and tailor each consultation to meet your individual needs. Osteopathic treatment is very specific to your own individual condition so even if you have received a form of manual therapy previously, you may find your first Osteopathic experience to be different.
Check out our step-by-step guide below to help ease you into your first Osteopath visit.
Before Your Appointment
Wear comfortable clothing
It’s important to feel relaxed, so we ask that you wear loose clothing and comfortable underwear. Depending on which area of your body requires treatment, you may be asked to undress into your underwear, but don’t worry! We have a range of gowns and loose fitting shorts that may not get you on the cover of Vogue, but will ensure your comfort during the treatment.
Be early
Arrive for your appointment 5-10 minutes early. You will need to complete a form detailing the key areas of concern, previous treatment you have received and a brief medical history. Be as detailed as possible so we have enough information to accurately determine the right type of treatment for you.
What to bring
Any X-rays or scans you have had on the problem area are always extremely helpful. Along with these, please bring your Private Health Insurance card, Workcover claim number and/or your referral form if applicable to you.
During Your Appointment
Your initial visit will run for approximately 45 minutes. We will work to understand your problem, evaluate potential causes, provide a working diagnosis and formulate the correct treatment plan.
Before any examination or treatment is carried out, your Osteopath will talk (and most importantly listen) to you to begin to determine why and what maybe at the cause of your problem. They will ask questions around how the pain started, what worsens or improves it and if it restricts any normal movement.
We tend to ask broader questions about your medical history that may seem unrelated to your current problem, but this helps us understand how you use your body and establish if there are wider medical issues that can be influencing the current situation. We’re interested in you as a whole person, not just a stiff back or clicking knee.
Once we have all the information we need, we move into examination. We will ask you to dress down to your underwear so we can see not only the problem area, but also other areas that may relate to your condition. We evaluate your posture and movement capabilities both standing up and then relaxed on the table. It’s not our intention to provoke the pain, rather we assess the ranges of movement and evaluate which structural elements are causing the issue.
It is likely that we will perform orthopaedic tests similar to those a GP or physio may use to pin point the exact problem. There are no machines involved – our hands are the tools of our trade!
Diagnosis and Treatment
Our aim during your consultation is to quantify your symptoms and establish the root cause. In many cases, the part causing you most discomfort is often just the point in which the body has lost the ability to compensate. For example, although you may be suffering lower back pain, it’s possible for problems in your legs, pelvis, or the way you walk, run or sit that may be putting too much pressure on the lower back, resulting in pain.
Once a diagnosis has been established, we discuss our assessment with you and invoke a treatment plan to support you in returning to your healthy self. Osteopathic treatment is hands on and involves skilled manipulation of the spine and joints, and massage of soft tissues. If you find any treatment technique painful or uncomfortable, let your practitioner know so we can adjust your treatment to your comfort level.
After your appointment
At the end of your appointment, we determine if further testing, scans or a return consultation is required as well as necessary stretches and exercises to do at home to help fast-track your recovery and improve your body’s function.
Throughout the entire process, your Osteopath will work with you and answer any questions and advise you on any lifestyle changes that may help.
Together we can help you be healthy, happy and pain-free now and into the future.
Talk to us to find out more.
