Physiotherapists often work within the NHS and help people to recover following a physical illness or injury or people with developmental problems or disability. They often use equipment such as TENs machines or ultra sound and prescribe rehabilitative exercises. Traditionally they would tend to focus on treating the specific areas of pain, but Physiotherapists in private practice have more autonomy over how they treat patients.
Osteopaths v Chiropractors
People often get confused about the difference between Chiropractors and Osteopaths as we use similar techniques, work in private practice and see many of the same conditions. Chiropractors primarily focus on the alignment of the spinal joints and on the effects of the spine on individual nerve branches that stem from between the segments.
What makes us different?
Osteopaths traditionally use a wider variety of treatment techniques including soft-tissue massage, muscle stretching, joint articulation/mobilisation, manipulation and Cranial Osteopathy.
Within each profession individual practitioners develop their own unique style of practice and you as an individual need to find what works for you and ensure that they are properly trained.
What should you wear when seeing an osteopath?
For the examination you will be asked to undress down to your underwear / remove some of your clothing, down to your underwear. If you are uncomfortable with this for personal or religious reasons please discuss it with your Osteopath. If you prefer to wear shorts, please bring them with you, or they can be provided on request. We want you to feel comfortable and relaxed during your treatment with us.
Osteopaths look for the root cause of a problem. This may involve seeing and examining areas of the body that don’t necessarily cause pain but may be related to the problem – which is why its normal to be asked to remove some clothing, so we can accurately assess the areas that may be involved in your pain.
The Osteopath will explain everything as they go along but if you are unsure please feel free to ask the osteopath to stop or explain again what they are doing and why.
