Osteopathy

Feel The Difference From Your First Visit!

Osteopathy Treatments

Osteopathy treatments are a form of manual medicine that treats the muscular skeletal system including muscles, ligaments, nerves, joints and problems related to its function.

The Osteopath’s aim is to maximise the function of the muscular skeletal system.

Osteopaths treat many conditions related to muscles and joint pain. Most people think of us as ‘lower back specialists’. Back pain is what many osteopaths treat a lot of the time, but we can address problems in necks, elbows, shoulders, knees, pelvis, hands and jaws. Wherever there is a joint in the body that moves, we can potentially help.

Osteopaths use their highly skilled senses of touch to evaluate diagnose and treat, their patients using a variety of techniques including massage, manipulation, movement of the joints, stretching, and cranial osteopathy.

In the UK Osteopathy is regulated by Government Statute the Osteopaths Act 1993 and the General Osteopathic Council and it is a criminal offence to describe oneself as an osteopath unless registered with this body.

Osteopathy treatments can be an effective way to treat most muscle and joint pain such as:

• Tennis Elbow
• Shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, elbow, hand, wrist or foot pain
• Posture related pain
• Sciatic pain
• Headaches arising from the neck, and migraine prevention
• Minor sport injuries

Aberdeen Osteopathy and Massage Clinic specialise in a range of osteopathy treatments. Further details can be found on each of the pages:

Dry Needling

Massage Therapy

Active isolated stretching

What happens at your first osteopathy appointment?

Your first visit is longer than a follow-up because most of it is assessment. Abdul will ask about the problem that brought you in, when it started and what makes it better or worse, and about your general health, medication and any previous injuries or operations. He will then watch how you move and examine the painful area and the joints and muscles around it, since the cause of pain is often not where the pain is felt. You may be asked to undress to your underwear so he can see the spine and joints properly; a gown or shorts are fine if you prefer, and you can bring someone with you.

Before any treatment starts he will explain what he has found, what he thinks is going on and what he proposes to do, including the likely benefits and any risks, so you can decide together. Treatment on the first visit is usually gentler and shorter, with the aim of easing the worst of the pain and seeing how you respond.

Which treatment techniques do osteopaths use?

Osteopathy is hands-on. Depending on what is found, a session may include soft tissue massage of tight muscles, gentle rhythmic movement of joints to improve their range, stretching, and, where it is appropriate and you agree to it, a quick, precise manipulation of a stiff joint, which can produce the familiar click. Not everyone needs or wants manipulation and it is never done without your consent. Treatment usually ends with advice on movement, posture or exercises to carry on at home, because that is what keeps the improvement between visits.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on how long you have had the problem and what is driving it. Many recent, straightforward complaints settle in a small number of sessions; long-standing problems usually take longer. Abdul will give you an honest estimate after the first assessment and review it as you go, rather than booking you into a fixed course upfront. If osteopathy is not the right approach for you, he will say so and point you to your GP or another service.

Prices

A first visit, including the full consultation, is £80, and continuing treatment is £70 a session, with student rates of £70 and £65. We are recognised by Aviva, WPA and Cigna, so if you have private health insurance check your policy and bring your authorisation details. No GP referral is needed.