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FAQ's on  Osteopathy

 

What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a practical form of healthcare that treats the whole body. It is a hands-on treatment that provides relief for physical conditions and pain relating to the body’s structural system.

 

Can I Benefit From Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a gentle and safe form of therapy and is suitable for adults, children and infants. At Harvey Clinics in Needham Market and Woolpit, we treat a wide range of problems including:

 

We can provide relief for:

  • occupational and repetitive strain injuries

  • sports injuries

  • pregnant and nursing mothers

Each treatment is tailored to your individual circumstances

 

What Can I Expect When I Attend?

We will:

  • discuss the symptoms you are experiencing and ask you questions about your general health, lifestyle and medical history

  • examine you

  • outline the treatment programme

  • use our hands to gently work on the muscles, bones and joints of your body and advise you on how to avoid the problem happening again including exercise, stretches, work and driving posture etc.
     

The osteopathic examination will include:

  • a visual examination

  • a hands-on examination where we use our hands to gently feel for restrictions or structural problems in your muscles, tissues, joints and bones. You will probably be required to remove some of your outer clothing.

  • general health checks. These could include blood pressure measurements and coordination and reflex tests.
     

Treatment will often involve some combination of the following:

  • soft tissue massage

  • joint articulation

  • rhythmic stretching

  • fluid drainage

  • highly specialised joint manipulation

 

Does Osteopathy Hurt?

Osteopathy causes little or no pain. For 24 to 48 hours after the treatment you may experience some minor discomfort or aggravation of your symptoms. This is a normal part of your body’s response to the treatment. If you are uncertain about your body’s response please feel free to contact us on the practice phone number. It is common for the full benefit of the treatment to be felt after 2 to 3 days.

 

What Is The General Osteopathic Council?

The Osteopaths Act 1993 Establishes the General Osteopathic Council to “provide for the regulation of the profession of osteopathy.”

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In 1993 osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory regulation. From 1998 all osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council. This means that all osteopaths on the register have demonstrated that they are safe and competent and all patients have the same safeguards as when they currently visit their doctor or dentist.

More information is available from the website www.osteopathy.org.uk

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