What to expect for your first osteopathy appointment

If you’re coming in for your initial osteopathy consultation here are some FAQs that will help you get the most out of your appointment.

What should I wear?

Osteopathy is a hands-on therapy that needs free movement of the joints to be most effective, so clothes that allow easy and unrestricted movement in all directions is best. In order to perform an assessment of how your body is moving it is important to be able to identify certain anatomical landmarks easily by both sight and/or touch, such as the bony prominences of your spine. The best clothes for this tend to be lightweight sports/yoga type kit and most patients find some appropriate combination of leggings, shorts, sports bra or vest top to be most comfortable.

Will I have to undress?

Depending on what and where your issues are, your osteopath may ask to observe different areas of your body in a standing assessment at the beginning of the consultation. Sometimes we have to screen for skin conditions or other marks on the skin that may indicate one diagnosis over another and in rare cases may even contraindicate osteopathic treatment, so it is essential to safe osteopathic practice to be prepared for inspection of the skin for bumps, lumps, cuts and bruises etc.

It is often very useful to be able to inspect the whole spine (back of the head down to the top of the pelvis) so removing your shirt is usually most helpful. Underwear, sports bras or vest tops etc stay on. During treatment, a lot can be done fully clothed but sometimes it will be indicated to work with the skin layer exposed (eg. soft tissue work using massage wax). The specifics of the treatment can always be modified to the extent of your choice of undress.

Everything you choose to do during the appointment is done after seeking your consent, and you will never be asked to do anything that does not feel right for you. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason during your appointment please just say and we will work together to find a more suitable approach.

Will you just crack my neck/back/etc.?

Although I can perform techniques for producing cavitations (that cracking/popping sensation) in most of the joints of the body it is not always indicated, and they form just part of an osteopath’s toolbox. Even if these techniques are used, they are best performed in the framework of a full body treatment which includes other treatment approaches to prepare the body and give you the best results. If you come into an osteopathic appointment thinking you know exactly what you need and that you can have me crack your back “just there where I always do it” prepare to be disappointed. It may be that it is indicated to proceed as you request, but often there are other areas of the body which are causing the discomfort which would be overlooked if we only focussed on the area you are used to feeling or treating.

I came in with low back pain, why are you treating my ankle???

The body is an intricately and intimately connected unit and we cannot treat a single area without affecting the rest of the system. Often the location of pain is not actually the root of the problem, and by following the lines that connect different parts of the body we can discern which areas may be causing the most problems and which areas are ready to respond well to treatment. In some cases a restriction in the ankle may limit the walking gait in such a way that puts too much strain on the muscles, tendons and joints etc. in the lower back. So even though your complaint may be low back pain, the best treatment for your recovery may include treating other parts of the body as well. I find the best results come from a full body treatment approach that helps your whole system recalibrate and recover from the postural and movement imbalances that cause issues that lead to pain and discomfort in the first place.

How many treatments will I need?

There is no way to know. Some people get immediate and lasting relief after one treatment, while some people need ongoing support in the long term, and everything in between. It all depends on what your issues are and how your body responds to treatment. It takes time for body tissues to remodel and movement patterns to improve. I find the best guideline for new patients is to be prepared to commit to 4-6 treatments over the course of 4-6 months to really give your body a chance to integrate and retain the full value of osteopathic treatment. We will be monitoring your progress together and reassessing the appropriate treatment intensity and frequency at each session. I strongly advise having regular treatments before pain and discomfort return to lessen the risk of injury and relapse into recurring injuries or chronic pain. Patients who come in for a regular monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly treatment feel more energy, more resilience, and more vitality and report being much less worried about aches and pains creeping back in.

I’m scared…is it going to hurt?

Some techniques can cause short term discomfort during the treatment but we can always modify the techniques and intensity to find the space where you feel relief and we can elicit tissue change without causing you a lot of pain and stress. Some people need deep pressure and strong mobilisations to get the most improvements, and some people need the softest of touches and the gentlest easing of the joints. It’s all about finding the best way for you and your body. Often there may be a day or two of new aches and pains, or the complaint getting worse before it gets better, and this is usually a sign that the body is responding and the treatment is working. Sometimes discomfort is the price of recovery and growth, but the “no pain, no gain” approach does not apply in every situation. Sometimes finding ease and comfort is the key to regaining your health.

So if you’ve picked up an injury and want to kick start your recovery, you need support to feel stronger, more resilient, more free and capable in movement, or you want to build a deeper and more functional relationship with your body please get in touch via the contact form or book in for a session via the online booking system.