A focused, in-depth conversation.
I like to learn as much as I can about you, as a person, not a disorder. The more I know, the more success we can have. At your initial appointment, we’ll discuss your current symptoms, as well as review your lifestyle and past health history.
The information you share is necessary to determine potential causes as well as rule out serious pathology. Physical injury, poor posture or emotional stress may part of the puzzle. Any traumas, surgeries or illnesses are also important, even if they occurred years ago.
Your current pain or discomfort may be your body’s inability to adapt and cope further. If you think it’s related, it probably is!
Hands-on assessment.
A physical assessment identifies problem areas through:
- Observation of posture
- Active testing of movement
- Manual evaluation of soft tissue
I recommend wearing underwear you feel comfortable in to make the process easier. Loose, lightweight clothing is a good alternative.
If any of your symptoms suggest the need for further medical tests (blood work, x-rays, etc.) I’ll ask you to follow up with a medical doctor.
Treatment on Your First Visit
Throughout the session, I continue my hands-on evaluation to detect problem areas and prioritize their impact on your health. The areas I treat are not necessarily the ones where you are experiencing the symptoms. However, this can promote a “cascading effect” which allows other areas to release more quickly. Clients are often surprised to feel a relief of symptoms when the treatment has focused elsewhere.
Specific, Personalized Care.
Osteopathy is a philosophy of care based on the underlying premise that the body has the inherent ability to self-correct. There are no protocols or prescribed techniques for specific conditions. Cranial, myofascial, articular and visceral manipulations may be used depending on your needs and preferences. Integration techniques allow the body to incorporate changes and minimize discomfort post-treatment.
Active Participation.
As a patient you’ll be an active participant in your treatment, providing feedback, focusing on breathing or performing requested movements. I also offer lifestyle recommendations such as nutrition, exercise or coping strategies to enhance the effects of treatment. The more fully you participate in your recovery, the more you will benefit.
Time Between Treatments.
It’s important to allow time between visits for your body to adapt to the treatment. In the days following your treatment your body will continue to adjust and re-balance, relieving original symptoms as well as promoting overall well-being.
Improvements may be noted in your pain, sleep patterns, energy levels, immune resistance, etc. Sometimes you may feel relief for 3-4 days, and then your symptoms return. In other cases, you may experience initial post-treatment reactions, which vary from exacerbation of your symptoms to detoxifying responses such as headaches, diarrhea, fatigue, or changes in your menstrual cycle, before feeling any improvement.
Follow-up treatments are typically scheduled 2-3 weeks after the initial appointment. A follow-up session lets us assess your response to treatment and address any further obstacles to your recovery.
How Many Treatments?
The goal of osteopathy is to stimulate the natural healing ability of your body. Many problems respond in 2–5 sessions while longer-standing conditions may require more treatment. As a rule of thumb, the longer you have been experiencing the problem, the longer it may take to resolve.
Let me know what you think!