At the outset of a consultation a full case history will be taken. This will include both medical and osteopathic questions and be followed by a detailed examination in order to arrive at an understanding of how the symptoms arose, how the body has tried to accommodate and what structures and tissues have failed in the process.
The treatment approach can seem very different from what patients have experienced before, being very gentle and seemingly passive, with little apparent movement taking place. With the patient usually lying on his/her back, or in any position that is comfortable, the osteopath works by making contact with different parts of the body, assessing and engaging with the patient's patterns of restriction, strain and tension. However, the body also carries a memory of what it is like to be normal, and naturally seeks health and normality. The aim of treatment is to support and assist this natural unerring restorative capacity that arises from within: a powerful factor too often overlooked today.
Patients may feel sensations and changes in their bodies ranging from heat or subtle movements to a sense of relaxation and calm (or may in fact feel nothing at all). Depending on the nature of the problem, relief from symptoms may come immediately, or hours or even days later. Several treatments may be necessary to bring about real change, as the body needs time to reorganise its patterns of function. But while the treatment may externally appear passive, do not be misled. Frequently patients comment on how much change can be effected so gently, and report improvements in general health and well-being as well as relief from their original symptoms.
Scholarships for new graduates
Deadline 30 July 2010
