Frequently Asked Questions for Osteopathic Consultancy in Camberley

What can you expect from your first visit?

The Osteopath will take a full case history, including what you are coming to see us about? How the symptoms have evolved? What makes it better or worse? You will also be asked about your general health. Some questions may seem irrelevant, but we can then include or exclude them in our evaluation of your problem. Then if we find any information that may be clinically relevant, we will expand our questioning. This will allow the Osteopath to begin to evaluate what your problem maybe (diagnosis) and how we may proceed. We will also be considering what might happen in the future (prognosis).
If treatment / examination is applicable, we will then ask you to undress to your underwear (so good sensible underwear is helpful). Then we look at your mechanics and explain what we are finding and how it may be affecting the presenting symptom/s. Then we perform active movements, which are movements of the areas which are affected or associated. E.g. flexing your head forward, backwards, sideways and rotating your head. Then we will perform any tests to clarify the diagnosis (what the problem is) and prognosis (what may happen in the future). Then we can get on with palpating your muscles and joints. At this stage, if we are happy with the diagnosis and it is safe to proceed, we will continue with treatment. We can use our highly developed sense of touch called ‘palpation’ to identify any points of weakness or strain you may be experiencing. We use our hands, not machines, to carry out a variety of treatment techniques which include:

• Soft Tissue. (Like Massage)
• High Velocity Thrust. (Increases the movement of the joints, Cracks and Pops)
• Other Muscle and joint mobility techniques. (Functional, Counterstrain, Muscle energy, PNF)
• Cranial (Very gentle movement of the cranial bones)

These techniques improve the function of the body, reduce inflammation and the pain / aching from muscles and joints. They also calm the nervous system. By the end of the consultation the Osteopath will explain what he / she thinks is causing your symptoms and give you a probable diagnosis and prognosis. Which is what is causing your problem and what may happen in the future. They will also explain other viable options for treatment. Some of these may involve other practitioners, like your GP or specialist. They will also explain any precipitating and maintaining factors for your problem. This is why you have your problem and why it may be continuing to be an issue.

What does the treatment involve?

Treatment is carried out with the permission of the patient and the patient can at any point refuse permission for treatment and this will obviously be respected. In most cases if there is any technique that the patient doesn’t want to be carried out there is an alternative available. But normally with the right information there isn’t a problem.

We will have a chat in the form of an initial consultation or a brief chat if you are returning. We will ask you about your problem and any advice we have given you including stretching and exercise. We then ask you the patient to undress to your underwear. (So good sensible underwear is helpful). Then we look at your mechanics and explain what we are finding and how it may be affecting the presenting symptom/s. Then perform active movements, which are movements of the areas which are affected or associated. E.g. flexing your head forward, backwards, sideways and rotating your head. Then we will perform any tests to clarify the diagnosis and prognosis. Then we can get on with palpating your muscles and joints. At this stage if we are happy with the diagnosis and it is safe to proceed we will continue with treatment. We use our highly developed sense of touch called ‘palpation’ to identify any points of weakness or strain you may be experiencing. We use our hands not machines to carry out a variety of treatment techniques which include:

• Soft Tissue. (Massage)
• High Velocity Thrust. (Increases the movement of the joints)
• Other Muscle and joint mobility techniques. (Functional, Counterstrain, Muscle energy, PNF)
• Cranial (Very gentle movement of the cranial bones)

These techniques improve the function of the body, reduce inflammation and the pain / aching from muscles and joints. They also calm the nervous system.

We explain everything as we go , but we are happy to discuss your treatment at any stage. We feel communication is always the key to making you feel comfortable.