What to expect
It can be daunting going to see any practitioner so here is a little on what to expect on your first visit. First consultation your practitioner will spend some time taking your medical history. This will include questions about your current symptoms or injuries as well as general health and lifestyle questions.
During the osteopathic examination we may ask you to remove some items of clothing or undress to your underwear in order to examine your area of concern. You are welcome to brings shorts or leggings to wear during your treatment. If you would like a chaperone you are always welcome to bring one. You may be required to do some simple movements in order to assess mobility,. The osteopath will then carry out the rest of the examination through other hands-on tests and assessments. Patients with acute pain may find the examination and treatment a little uncomfortable however we will do our best to keep discomfort to a minimum.
Your diagnosis and treatment plan will then be explained and any questioned answered. At this point, if you as a patient are happy, treatment will commence.
Your practitioner will discuss how many session you may need and will also give you home care advice. This may also include exercise tailored to your individual needs. If they feel a referral to another health care practitioner is required they will also help with giving information in relation to this.
During a Baby or Child’s Appointment
The examination and treatment of babies and children differs from that of adults. Children who are old enough will often participate in the examination process and will be encouraged to lie on the couch for further examination and treatment. However, the process is generally more flexible with younger children or those with social or behavioural difficulties.
It is possible to treat without the patient lying on the couch and children are not required to be still throughout the treatment. Bringing the child’s favourite toys/books can help encourage them to be still for periods of the treatment. The osteopaths are very experienced in ensuring an effective treatment can be given even if the children are a little more unsettled.
Babies are undressed down to their nappies for the initial examination but it is often suitable for them to be redressed to some extent for treatment. Babies can even be fed during the treatment to calm if they become unsettled.
Our Paediatric Osteopaths have a great deal of experience working with children with varying behavioural and social difficulties. If you have any concerns about your child’s visit feel free to call our clinic to discuss any concerns beforehand.
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