During your first consultation I will ask questions about your problem and symptoms. I will also ask questions about previous injuries, your medical history, any medications you are taking, or other factors that may not appear to be directly related to your problem.
Next, I will conduct a full osteopathic manual examination which may involve orthopaedic or neurological tests, postural assessments and activities or exercises, which will help me determine how best to manage your condition.
As osteopathy takes a holistic approach to treatment, I may look at other parts of your body, as well as the area that is troubling you. For example, if you have a sore knee, I may also look at your ankle, pelvis and back.
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy and most osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause undue discomfort. If your injuries do require hands-on treatment of painful and tender areas, I will exercise care to make you as comfortable as possible.
I may also provide education and advice to help you manage your condition between treatments. This may include giving you exercises to do at home or work.
After treatment you may feel tired and need to rest. It is best to avoid strenuous exercise or work on the day of your treatment. Some people experience mild soreness for a day or two after treatment, similar to that felt after mild exercise. If this soreness persists or increases significantly, call me to discuss your concerns.
Generally you would expect to see some changes in your symptoms after one or two visits; however, some long-term or chronic conditions may require a longer course or more frequent treatment. If you have any concerns, I will be happy to discuss these with you.
Out of Scope Activities
In Canada, Osteopathic Manual Therapists (OMT) are not Medical Doctors. Therefore, there are very clear limitations to the scope of what an OMT can provide you. Medication management, including any changes to doses or recommendations on stopping medications, is outside the scope of Osteopathy and such advice cannot be offered. Similarly, medical diagnosis cannot be provided, however it will be important for me to know about your full medical history and current status in order to provide safe and effective treatment to you.