Osteopathy is a safe and effective approach that aims to promote the health of patients through the use of manual therapy, exercise and health advice.
Osteopaths – who are highly trained healthcare professionals – provide these services in a way that is tailored to the needs of the individual. People of all ages see osteopaths, from babies to the elderly.
Specifically, osteopaths have great expertise in the musculoskeletal (MSK) system – that is the muscles, joints and associated tissues and their relationship with other systems of the body.
MSC Osteopathy is proud to offer high-quality osteopathic care to patients at home or at one of its two MSC Osteopathy clinics.
Common conditions treated through osteopathy
- Arthritic pain
- Circulatory problems
- Cramp
- Digestion problems
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen shoulder/ shoulder and elbow pain/ tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck, but not isolated occurrences
- Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic)
- Joint pains
- Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise
- General, acute & chronic backache, back pain (not arising from injury or accident)
- Generalised aches and pains
- Lumbago
- Migraine prevention
- Minor sports injuries
- Muscle spasms
- Neuralgia
- Tension and inability to relax
- Rheumatic pain
- Sciatica
- Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain (as opposed to neck pain following injury i.e. whiplash)
Treatments
Osteopathy uses a multitude of techniques to provide the best treatment for each individual.
Treatment aims to increase the range of motion of joints, reduce pain and improve circulation to muscles/tendons/ligaments in order to promote healing.
Some of the most commonly used techniques include; manipulation (both spinal and peripheral), mobilisation and soft tissue. However, other techniques, such as taping, ultrasound, muscle energy and strain counter-strain are used.
MSC osteopathy encourages the use of exercise prescription and will provide the correct advice after treatment for you to take home. This will enable you to take an active part in your own wellbeing.
On average a person would see an osteopath for 4-6 sessions to resolve a complaint. However, depending on the particular individual, some may carry on with a maintenance treatment if they are dealing with a longer-term condition.
What to expect from an osteopathy appointment?
Prior to your initial consultation, your practitioner will ask you to read and sign a consent form, which will inform you of the risks and benefits of osteopathic treatment. Your osteopath will also share some information about GDPR guidelines and about how the consultation will progress.
Case history and preparation
Your practitioner will then take a detailed case history regarding the complaint with which you are presenting. They will also take a record of your past medical history and any medication you are currently taking.
You will then be asked to undress. However, if you do not consent to this, then you will not be forced. The reason osteopaths ask patients to undress is because the underlying issue(s) are often not at the site of pain. For example, knee pain may be due to a problem with your lower back – which is causing you to alter your gait to take weight off one side, subsequently damaging one knee more.
Assessment and diagnosis
Your osteopath will then assess and test multiple joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons in order to provide you with a conclusive diagnosis. This diagnosis will then be explained to you along with additional information, if necessary.
Treatment
Treatment will then begin, as explained above. It is important to note that some patients may be referred for further testing if needed, and in some cases treatment will not occur.
Initial consultations are usually 45mins-1hr, with follow up appointments lasting 30-45mins. You can find information about the duration and prices of our consultations here.
Contacting an osteopath
If you wish to find out more about osteopathy and the types of treatment we offer, or if you wish to book an appointment, please contact us.
Where to find us
MSC Osteopathy has clinics in Buckinghamshire (Chalfont St Giles) and Worcestershire (Hagley), where its osteopaths provide treatment and care for patients with a variety of health issues.
Moreover, MSC Osteopathy also offers osteopathic home visits to suit your needs. You may find these especially useful if you also wish to have your animals treated by our osteopaths.
To find out more information about our clinics or our home visits, or to book an appointment, please contact us.
What if MSC Osteopathy does not provide osteopathic services in your area?
MSC Osteopathy services a number of areas in England, all of which are all listed at the bottom of our ‘Contact us’ page.
If, however, you live outside of these areas, you can visit either the Institute of Osteopathy website, or the General Osteopathic Council website to find an osteopath near you.
