After taking
a history of the presenting problem and a brief medical history,
an examination is carried out to determine the cause of pain,
strain, stiffness, or weakness that you are experiencing. You
will usually be asked to undress down to your underwear so that
the osteopath can analyse your posture, observe the position
of relevant joints, observe and palpate muscle tone and imbalance,
and identify any asymmetries in your body. Some patients prefer
to wear a pair of shorts and/or a sheer vest top which can be
rolled up during treatment if need be; it is important that
you feel comfortable throughout your examination and treatment.
You will usually be asked to perform a simple series of movements
so that the osteopath can assess the mobility of your joints.
Often on examination it will
be found that certain joints - spinal or peripheral - are restricted
in their movement, therefore causing undue strain on other joints,
muscles, or supporting structures. Joints become restricted
for many reasons, including poor posture (sitting, standing,
computer), stress induced tension in muscles, shallow breathing,
poor technique during training, insufficient stretching, or
following a mechanical strain (gardening, lifting etc) or injury,
to name but a few.
Osteopathy addresses both the muscle tightness and the joint
stiffness that usually underlie musculo-skeletal pain. Treatment
therefore consists of deep-massage directed at releasing muscle
tension, but also of joint stretching (articulation) and bony
manipulation of joints (where safe and appropriate). Treatments
are backed up by self-help ideas, lifestyle advice, and rehabilitation
exercises.
