Osteopathy is a manual hands-on form of healthcare, so examination and treatment involve moving various parts of your body in a variety of positions. While the appointments can be completed in any style of clothes, it is preferable to wear clothing that allows for movement, basically, anything you would feel comfortable exercising in, t-shirts, shorts, and leggings are all good options. Depending on the presenting complaint, it may be necessary to undress in some way. Please remember this requires your consent and you have full control over this choice, make sure you speak to the osteopath if you feel uncomfortable in any way.

In general, you don’t need to bring anything, however, if you feel like something may help you to explain a situation or provide valuable information then don’t hesitate to bring it along. People like to bring medical notes or imaging reports but these are accessible at a later stage if necessary care. It is helpful if you bring any ACC information you may have, but it’s not essential. If you are coming to an osteopath having already lodged a claim with a different provider such as your doctor, then you can bring information such as a claim number, but again we can easily access this information later on.

Yes, of course you can bring other people to the appointment. In some cases a support person helps with presenting your complaint effectively, in others cases they provide security and support.

If the patient is under 16 years they need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or caregiver for purposes of consent and to enable the completion of documentation such as ACC claims.

This varies from person to person and is influenced by many factors including the particular presenting complaint, a person’s lifestyle, age, and activity levels. If it is an acute (new) injury then 2-4 appointments are normal. If it is a chronic (long-term) injury then it can take longer to treat. If there are multiple complaints then this is likely to increase the number of appointments required. Assessing a patient’s response to treatments will allow the osteopath to provide a clearer prognosis. Some people benefit from regular maintenance or condition management, but overall the aim is to get you healthy and independent as quickly as possible.

Most osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause high levels of discomfort. At times, hands-on treatment of painful areas will be necessary, and in these cases, your osteopath will take care to make you as comfortable as possible. 

Most people feel a reduction in symptoms or pain after the treatment, however, patients can sometimes experience discomfort for a few days after an appointment as the body process and integrate the changes. Imagine that your body has been existing in an abnormal way for a while then it’s suddenly asked to return to normal, but it’s a little unsure about this change. The reaction is similar to how you may feel after exercising.

The chance of an adverse reaction to your treatment is extremely small, but aspects of your current health may influence this likelihood, so it is essential you fully disclose your medical history during appointments. If after treatment you are worried about any symptoms or they are persisting, then contact your osteopath to discuss. The osteopath can provide reassurance “ This is a normal reaction”, additional advice “use heat or take an over-the-counter medication such as paracetamol)” or if it is an unexpected reaction a referral for alternative care may be provided.