The nature of osteopathic treatment is that it is tailored to each individual patient as they appear on the day that they come for treatment. A treatment is built up using a variety of techniques whilst constantly checking that the expected tissue change is being achieved. Treatments vary so widely form patient to patient that it is not really possible to describe a typical treatment. However the techniques at our disposal include :
- Soft tissue techniques – a range of massage type techniques, some firm, some very light.
- Mobilisations – moving a joint or several joints within and up to its limit of movement, they can be small and specific or large and general
- Stretches – encouraging soft tissues to increase in length by holding at their end of range
- Muscle Energy Techniques – encouraging muscles to change in length by working with them as they are actively contracting
- Functional myo-fascial techniques – following the very small movements within a restricted pattern of movement to encourage release.
- Involuntary Motion Techniques – sometimes called Cranial techniques – this are very gentle and almost imperceptible movements within all tissues that can respond to gentle release techniques
- Traction – these are hands on techniques to allow decompression. They may be applied with the patient standing, sitting or lying
- Manipulations – also called High Velocity Thrust Techniques. These focus a movement on a specific joint segment , often a spinal joint, and may produce a gapping of the joint surface which may make a pop or click. The noise is not necessary to achieve tissue change
- Laser Therapy – A frequency and combination of LED and/or laser light is used to reduce inflammation or inhibit pain
- Electrotherapy – The use of electrical stimulation to help pain, muscle spasm, muscle weakness etc.
- Kinesotaping – is a taping procedure using elasticated, hypo-allergenic tape with the aim of improving muscle function, reduction of swelling and improving sports performance.
- Myo-Fascial Dry Needling – Acupuncture needles are placed in identified myo-fascial trigger points to reduce their irritability, reduce pain and increase movement. This is NOT acupuncture.
- Strapping – tape is applied to a region to restrict itʼs movement
- Cupping – Suction cups are applied and may be moved over areas of long standing tissue shortness to encourage a significant change in circulation
- Exercises – strengthening, stretching, breathing and stabilising exercises may be advised as appropriate
- Life-style discussion – many pain related problems have a significant impact on quality of life. An appreciation of how the bio-mechanical problem may impact on work life, social activities and psycho-emotional aspects is an important part of the care of the whole patient and impacts strongly on their capacity to recover.
- Refer – There are occasions when it may not be appropriate to start any treatment without further medical information or when it is thought that osteopathic treatment may not offer a reasonable chance of success. These cases will be fully discussed with the patient in question at the time.