What To Expect
What to Expect at Your First Visit
​
Upon arrival, please make way to the front desk where our receptionist will greet you. Once you have signed in, you will be asked to take a seat and fill out forms noting your medical history, current issue, and demographic information. After completing these forms if you haven't already done so online, you will return the forms to the receptionist and will proceed to meet your osteopath after a short wait time.
​
​
Initial Consultation
At your first appointment, your osteopath will hold a private consultation which consists of understanding the history of your pain and how it is affecting your life. From there, your osteopath will work with you to develop progress goals that reflect where you want to be with your future self.
​
​
Physical Assessment
​
After the initial consultation, your osteopath will perform a physical examination, which may postural, range of motion, and/or alignment assessments to help find the 'TRUE CAUSE' of your pain. Beginning with a posture and mobility evaluation is critical to understand whether the true source of your pain and symptoms are associated with nervous system-induced adaptations and compensations.
​
​
Understanding the Assessment
Along the way, your osteopath will explain each step of your physical assessment and consultation. This information will include but is not limited to:
​
- Where your pain originates
- How we can fix your pain
- Creating a plan to achieve your lifestyle goals
​
The number of treatments you may need will depend on the nature of your symptoms, lifestyle and other factors which will be discussed by your Osteopath at the first appointment and thereafter. Based on consultation and examination, our Osteopath will decide whether osteopathy is right for you . Additionally, if any other investigations are recommended, you may be referred for X-ray, ultrasound or to another health care practitioner for further evaluation.
​
Treatment
​​
After understanding the assessment explanations by the Osteopath and once are happy with your treatment strategy, then is time for your treatment. The osteopath will seek your consent before undertaking treatment.
​
Our Osteopath uses hands-on treatment general osteopathic techniques as a framework and specific therapeutic techniques to treat the location of the pain and the areas that contribute and causing to your pain.
​
The purpose of the treatment is to restore structural misalignments (pelvis, spine), connective tissue tension (muscles, tendons, ligaments) and improve mobility in restricted joints. The Osteopath will work on restoring the body's ability to tolerate load under low-intensity exercises by stimulating inhibited muscles so they can fully engage in a day-to-day or sport activities.
​
Standard treatment may involve: Gentle Spinal Joint Articulation, Soft/ Deep Tissue Massage, Spinal Joints Adjustment, Kinesio Taping, Muscle Energy & Cranial Techniques, Corrective Exercises, Myofascial Release and Muscle Activation Techniques.
​
​
After Treatment
​
After treatment, your osteopath will tailor specific rehabilitation exercises on how to improve your posture for quicker recovery. However, depending on your symptoms, they may be given at subsequent appointments. Please note, that advice will be based ​on individual needs.​
​
What Can You Expect After Leaving the Clinic?
​
Once you leave the clinic, your body should start to heal itself within the next few days. Low-grade inflammation may occur around the treated area, however, please note that this is a natural response by the body, which may produce pain and stiffness for up to 12- 48hr after treatment.
​
Your body will slowly start to recoup its natural mobility and flexibility. If your body has been previously immobile, then surrounding muscles and ligaments will be made to move in a perfectly normal but different way. This can cause discomfort or pain until these tissues adjust to a new way of working. You may be alarmed by this backwards step, but this process can be considered natural. The reaction and time-span of these new movements can vary from person to person.
​
Rest and relax for up to 12-48hrs after treatment. Avoid overexerting yourself, lifting or awkward bending and twisting, even if you feel better. Your body will be vulnerable to exacerbation of your pain or injury. Movement without strain and in pain-free range will help and will stop your body 'seizing up'. Remember the saying 'Use it or lose it but never abuse it'. When you rest, try to find the most comfortable position. Discomfort is your body telling you that it does not like that position.
​
Gradually return to intense activity after 48hrs. Once you complete the recovery phase, your pain and tension should start to ease. It is essential to complete your prescribed plan of treatment and allow your osteopath to guide you to your goals. If you are worried that your progress is not up to standard, we encourage you to contact your osteopath to discuss the situation further.​​
​