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Osteopaths will tell their patient which treatment modalities they believe will
be most helpful to the patient. The techniques chosen are influenced by the
patient’s complaint, their medical history and their personal preference.
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Example case
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A 35 year old tennis player presents to an osteopath complaining of shoulder
and upper back pain. After taking the patient’s case history the osteopath
also establishes that the patient is an asthmatic and their occupation involves
a great deal of desk work using a computer. The osteopath’s examination
findings suggest that the cause of the patient’s discomfort is not likely to be
related to a muscular strain due to playing tennis or due to postural strain
from prolonged desk work. The osteopath believes that the discomfort may be
associated with the patient’s asthma.
Chronic asthmatics tend to exhibit signs of tension in certain muscles of the
neck which are involved in assisting the movement of the ribcage to allow
someone to draw a breath. By using stretching and relaxation techniques on
these muscles the osteopath is able to reduce this tension. The osteopath
also uses techniques to increase the range of motion of the rib cage by
mobilising the ribs and mid back, and working on the patient’s diaphragm.
The osteopath gives the patient exercise and hydrotherapy advice to do at
home, in order to assist the work the osteopath has done. Often, an important
aspect of osteopathic treatment is compliance with this type of advice as it
helps to maintain the effects of treatment.
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It is unnecessary to get a referral from a doctor to see an osteopath. Often
GPs are aware of local osteopaths practising in their area. Many GPs refer
their patients to osteopaths, particularly for musculoskeletal complaints which
they believe may benefit from osteopathic treatment.
In some cases it is appropriate for an osteopath to work closely with
GPs/consultants to ensure that our patients get the necessary care.
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Like osteopathy both chiropractic and physiotherapy are systems of
complementary medicine which use hands-on techniques to bring about
physiological changes to the body. Each places varying degrees of emphasis
on particular methods of treatment.
The fundamental philosophy behind Chiropractic is that all disease within the
body has its origin within restrictions of the spine. Chiropractors often aim to
release these restrictions using manipulation of the joints in order to assist
blood flow and nerve supply. When appropriate, osteopaths also use
manipulation techniques usually in conjunction with exercise prescription,
mobilisation and neuromuscular techniques.
Physiotherapists often place emphasis on the use of exercise prescription
especially in cases of muscular complaints. In some cases treatment
predominantly involves exercise prescription with less emphasis on hands-on
treatment. Osteopaths too often suggest to patients that they perform home
exercises alongside other treatment modalities such as hydrotherapy,
postural advice and nutritional advice.
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