Osteopath Massage: What is it and how can it help? - Falcon Health
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  • Writer's pictureBen Harris

Osteopath Massage: What is it and how can it help?

Updated: Dec 7, 2022

Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that uses osteopath massage and other hands-on techniques to help improve the function of muscles, joints, and other tissues in the body. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches. If you are interested, be sure to contact us today to see how we can help!


a model spine
How Osteopathy Can Help You

When is Osteopath Massage Used?

There are many reasons why people may see an osteopath. The most common reasons are for help with conditions that affect the muscles, bones and joints. Some of these conditions include back pain, neck pain, joint pain and headaches. Osteopath massage can also help with other problems such as respiratory problems, digestive issues and fertility problems.

Typical conditions that require osteopathy include:

· lower back pain

· uncomplicated neck pain

· shoulder pain and elbow pain (e.g. tennis elbow)

· problems with the pelvis, hips and legs

· sports injuries

· muscle and joint pain associated with driving, work or pregnancy


If you are pregnant and considering osteopath massage, be sure to discuss this with a medical professional. Additionally, be sure to meet an osteopath that specialises in pain during pregnancy.


If you are suffering from the conditions above and are considering osteopath massage, be sure to contact our experts today. We can talk you through what we do, and decide whether it is the best treatment for you.


Effectiveness of Osteopath Massage

Osteopaths are qualified to provide manual therapy, which is a treatment option that is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for managing lower back pain and sciatica. Osteopaths use a variety of techniques, such as osteopath massage, to relieve pain and improve mobility. They will likely also recommend exercises to strengthen your body.


What to Expect

Prior to Your Appointment

Feel free to call or email us to discuss what is required prior to a consultation with us. Any osteopath should be able to provide information on the clinic, what the treatment involves, payment methods and any other questions you may have.


Listening and Examining

In your first consultation, an osteopath will discuss a variety of things with you. They will ask about your general health, other medical care, and take a record of this to help determine your progress during treatment.


The osteopath will then conduct a physical examination. This will involve a detailed examination of your posture, and range of movement. Osteopathic treatment is specific to the individual, so this assessment is vital in order to tailor the treatment specifically for you. This will include physical examinations, as well as asking you to perform a range of movements. This is designed to test your mobility and range of movement so that the osteopath can fully understand your condition.


Additionally, an osteopath will examine the health of the joints, tissues and ligaments using their hands and a highly developed sense of touch called palpation. They will also ask about any pain you may be experiencing and look for any signs that your condition is worsening.


Diagnosis & Osteopath Massage Treatment Plan

Once the osteopath has assessed you and diagnosed you, they will then develop a bespoke health plan with you. This will include the osteopath’s diagnosis, their proposed treatment and a timeframe for improvement.


Your osteopath will discuss this with you in depth and explain why they have diagnosed certain treatments and how it will help you. It is important that you completely understand what the treatment is aiming to achieve. Be sure to ask any questions you may have prior to treatment to ensure you agree with the duration of the treatment and the type of treatment being conducted.


Treatment

Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to relieve pain and improve function. Treatment is hands-on and involves skilled manipulation of the spine and joints, and massage of soft tissues. This approach can help relieve tension, improve circulation, and promote healing. osteopaths often use a combination of techniques to achieve the best results for each individual patient.


Throughout your treatment, be sure to ask questions to support your understanding of the treatment. This will help your recovery because you will be better able to participate in your osteopathic care.


Advice

Osteopaths may also offer advice on how to stay healthy and prevent problems from developing.


For example, they may suggest exercises or stretches to improve flexibility and range of motion. By repeatedly doing exercises, you will not only improve your range of motion, but also increase the strength of muscles and joints. This can help protect you against osteoarthritis and other conditions in the future.


An osteopath will also recommend changes to your lifestyle and diet. For example, they may advise you to drink more water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods. This helps because a healthy diet supports good health overall, and can help prevent problems such as osteoarthritis.


It is not unusual to sometimes feel sore in the first 24-48 hours after treatment. This is because the physical nature of the treatment can cause some discomfort. However, this feeling should subside relatively quickly. If it does not, please contact your osteopath as soon as possible.


Communication is a key part of treatment. Your osteopath will explain any reactions you should expect as a result of treatment. But, if you have any concerns or questions, be sure to ask them as they arise!


Why Falcon Health?

At Falcon Health, we are dedicated to getting you back to your best as soon as possible. One of our key values is educating our patients on everything regarding their treatments. We believe that this is important as when you become more in tune with your body, the more adept you become at spotting signs of pain and combating it. It will also help us understand your progress during your treatment as you will be able to communicate how you feel more effectively. This ensures that you are receiving the best treatment possible as we can monitor and adapt our plans depending on your progress.


At Falcon Health, our trained professionals are dedicated to providing excellent care to get you back to your best. To learn more about our services, or schedule a consultation, explore our website or contact us today!


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