WHAT IS OSTEOPATHY?

Osteopathy is a holistic type of manual therapy aiming at restoring good musculoskeletal function therefore helping to maintain optimal general health. It relies on the concept that the body is not the simple addition of different parts but works as a whole, with constant interaction between the different areas of the body. Therefore the area of pain may not be the origin of the issue, as the body has the ability to create compensation patterns that the osteopath is trained in decrypting.

The patient’s history and context (occupation, level of fitness, stress levels, life constraints) are also always taken into account to help identify the cause and any potential maintaining factor to the current problem.

Global health is achieved by having good physical and mental health.

WHAT CAN OSTEOPATHY TREAT?

Even if the main reasons for consultation are low back and neck pains, Osteopathy can also often help with other joint pain (foot, knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, hand) but also cervicogenic headaches, ‘frozen shoulder’, IBS, stress related tension or tight jaws.

Postural issues (due to pregnancy or long periods sitting at a desk for example), recurrent tendinopathies (like ’tennis elbow’ or ‘golfer’s elbow’) or repetitive strain injuries can frequently be helped. If you have any doubt or you would like to know if osteopathy can help you, contact your osteopath who will be happy to assist you.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SESSION?

A case history will first be conducted for every new patient to get an overview of your general health, and get a thorough understanding of the presenting complaint and rule out any sign or symptom that would need referral to a medical professional or other therapist.

If you have any Xrays, MRIs or any test you have undergone relative to your issue, please bring them with their report to your appointment.

The osteopath will then observe your posture and do an examination, taking some landmarks (arches of the feet, pelvis, spine) and get you to do some simple movements. Then a passive examination will be conducted where the osteopath will check areas of interest more specifically. Some orthopedic and neurological testing may also be performed (i.e. when a nerve inpigment is suspected like in ‘sciatica’ or cervicobrachial neuralgia)

After a diagnosis is established, treatment will consist in a mix of soft tissue, articulatory, visceral, structural and cranial techniques.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER A SESSION?

It is very common to feel sore and tired after a treatment, which is why you are advised to rest and avoid any unneccessary effort for about 48 hours. This is called ‘the healing crisis’; the body needs time to readjust to the new balance.

If you ever have any questions or concern, do not hesitate to contact your osteopath, who can give you some advice to help during this period.

HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED?

It depends a lot on the severity of the symptoms and whether the issue is recent or chronic. On average, 2 or 3 sessions are usually needed, though some signs of improvement are most of the time reported after the first session. A check-up 3 or 4 times a year can also be a good prevention tool and redress any issue before it may become symptomatic.

CAN I GET MY COST COVERED BY INSURANCE?

Most private insurances cover partly or fully osteopathic sessions. Each insurance usually has its own claim form that the osteopath needs to fill in. It is also important to check beforehand if a referral from your GP is required (make sure it mentions ‘osteopathy’ on the referral form as ‘physiotherapy’ or ‘chiropractic’ may not be accepted by some insurances)

A BIT OF HISTORY!

Osteopathy was founded in the late 1800’s by physician and surgeon AT Still in the USA. He highlighted the positive effect of restoring good musculoskeletal system function onto his patients’ general health, without resorting to conventional medicine.

Since then, Osteopathy has grown worldwide and is regulated in a lot of countries, like Malta. It is considered as complementary medicine and the collaboration with other healthcare professionals is now standard practice, so as to give the patient the most appropriate and effective care.

It is different from physiotherapy and chiropractic but some techniques are sometimes similar.

THE 4 PRINCIPLES

Osteopathy relies on 4 main principles :

• ‘The rule of the artery is supreme’ : Good arterial perfusion is key for a healthy tissue therefore its good function. The osteopath aims at releasing any tension or restriction to optimise blood supply and drainage and avoid local congestion.

• Structure and function are reciprocally inter-related. Maintaining or restoring good function of a tissue (joint, soft tissue, fascia, viscera) will keep that tissue healthy. And vice-versa!

• Holistic approach : the body is made of different parts/units interconnected between eachother and having an effect onto eachother. The osteopath always tries to find and treat the original issue, not the compensations.

• The body has an inherent self-healing capacity. The osteopath is only a facilitator of this mechanism by optimising its function.