The first appointment is usually about 45 minutes. We will have sent you a link to complete a patient intake form, giving us your medical history in advance and we will start by following up any queries we have with the answers. The purpose of this is to allow us to determine that your symptoms are suitable for osteopathic treatment, which particular treatments will suit you and also helps us to start forming our diagnosis. Our questions will be concerned with your overall health as well as musculoskeletal factors.
The second part of the consultation is concerned with a postural evaluation. In order to properly identify the cause of your dysfunction it helps to see the area concerned, and we may need to ask you to remove some clothing. Osteopathy aims to treat the body as a whole and our understanding is that pain or poor function may be as a result of altered body mechanics elsewhere. We usually treat patients clothed but depending on the nature of the problem, or if your clothing is not suitable, we may advise you to dress down to your underwear, either for treatment or just examination, so please wear underwear suitable for this eventuality and/or bring some shorts. If in doubt a t-shirt (with a bra underneath if applicable) and some loose shorts are suitable for most treatment.
Subsequent appointments
Subsequent appointments will be for approximately 30 mins, please allow 45. We will briefly ask you about any changes to your symptoms and how you have been since we last saw you, then we will quickly assess the area(s) concerned. Most of the time will be spent treating you, unless you come in with new symptoms which need investigation.