What to Expect at the Appointment

Initially, we discuss your/your child's symptoms and your/their medical background to gain an understanding of your specific needs. This is followed a physical examination, testing different movements of your body to help form a diagnosis. Osteopathic training is a manual form of primary medical training in New Zealand, so the examination may include things like checking your blood pressure, listening to your lung sounds, or testing your reflexes to make sure it is safe to proceed with treatment. 

Treatment is hands on. There is a wide range of osteopathic techniques, working on muscles, joints, connective tissues, and organs. It can be firm or gentle, or a combination, depending on your preference and your body's needs. Usually people feel good after a treatment. Occasionally, there can be a reaction to the treatment, such as feeling sore muscles or stiff. Using heat or ice packs may help, and allow 1-3 days for your body to process the treatment. Ring me if you're unsure about what you're feeling. 

I will provide you with a clear working diagnosis and together we will create a treatment plan, so you get an idea of how long it will take and what you can be doing to assist your recovery. If needed, osteopaths can refer on to other healthcare professionals to having imaging done, get steroid injections, have a specialist or surgical review, or back to your GP. We can open ACC claims if relevant. 
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Osteopathic treatment is tailored to YOU, with regard to your history and the current complaint. As such, osteopathic care often differs between individuals.

Treatment Styles

​​Osteopathic treatment can be tailored to suit you preferences and your needs. This means that you may receive very different treatment styles for as the course of treatment progresses. There are four overarching types of osteopathic treatment:

1. Structural: this common treatment style covers the more biomechanical techniques of massage, direct stretching/MET, articulation and manipulation of joints. It can be firm, but it can also be done very gently! 
2. Functional: this is typically a gentle treatment style that "listens" to muscle and connective tissue tensions. Techniques applied functionally aim to restore movement and release tensions by moving with the body away from tension. This takes pressure off the system, allowing the body to release when no longer on strain.
3. Cranial Osteopathy: most widely known for treating the skull and sacrum (tailbone), Osteopathy in the Cranial Field actually refers to a set of techniques that can be used throughout the body. It can be applied firmly to reduce restrictions between or within bones, or gently to balance ligament or membrane tensions. There is very little movement to be seen and not everyone feels the treatment during, but the effects can be potent!
4. Visceral Osteopathy: refers to treatment of any of the bodily organs and their surrounding attachments.  Commonly employed for the treatment of digestive complaints, it can also be used to help with a range of other complaints, including breathing and period pains.