Curious about osteopathy? Here’s all you need to know.
The post-osteopathy buzz is hard to describe. But those who’ve already discovered it tend to say similar things: You just feel…lighter. Everyday tasks like driving and reaching for things on high shelves feel effortless. Suddenly it’s comfortable not to slouch at your desk. That spring in your step is back.
At Urban, we’ve made it our mission to spread the word; osteopathy is a fantastic treatment for strain and injury but it’s also much, much more. It’s a full-body MOT – a way to recapture total freedom of movement and hold on to it for years to come. Curious? Here’s the lo-down on the treatment you’re missing out on.
What does an osteopathy session involve?
Osteopaths use a combination of techniques, from joint manipulation to active and passive stretching. They’ll aim to improve mobility, or they might focus on realigning your posture, but treatment of specific problem areas is only half the story.
Osteopathy is holistic – it’s about getting the body singing as a whole and tracing issues back to the root, wherever that may be. Sometimes this means targeting areas you didn’t realise needed attention, with the result being a unique all-round sense of wellness.
At the assessment stage practitioners are also trained to delve into your daily routine to find the cause of tension and discomfort. Asking lots of questions helps them understand how your lifestyle is affecting your body so they can dial their treatment in to your precise needs.
A typical first assessment will include:
- Questions about your lifestyle, general health, and daily routine
- A full-body examination of your range of movement and posture
- Some initial treatment, which may include manipulation and stretches
- Guidance on post-treatment exercises to maintain the progress you’ve made
Follow-ups may include:
- Further treatment of problem areas
- Continued assessment of posture and range of motion to track improvement
- Some suggested tweaks to your lifestyle to keep issues at bay
- Developing on your set of exercises to keep improvements coming over time
Is osteopathy right for me?
Osteopathy is a medical treatment, but it’s a common misconception that only those battling through aches and pains can benefit. The truth is, city life takes its physical toll on all of us. A session is as much a remedy to general stiffness and muscle fatigue as pinpoint therapy for specific issues.
Conditions osteopathy has been proven to help with include:
- Lower back pain
- Arthritis
- Shoulder pain
- Sports injuries
- Uncomplicated neck pain
- Muscle and joint pain associated with driving or work
Is osteopathy painful?
Osteopathy isn’t usually painful, although your practitioner may need to move your body in ways it isn’t used to, so you may feel a bit sore for a few days after a treatment as your body adapts to the changes. You may also feel sore if you’re being treated for an acute or inflamed injury.
At the start of your session, your osteopath will take you through what you might expect to feel in the days after treatment. You should let them know if you feel any pain during or after treatment. They’ll also be sure to set you up with self-help tips and exercises to help speed up your recovery and prevent symptoms from worsening.
What happens after an osteopathy treatment?
Think of your osteopathy treatment plan like a journey. With the greatest results coming through repeated treatments, osteopathy is all about plotting a path to a freer, more limber life. Along the way, practitioners will suggest tweaks to your work setup or exercises to keep your posture in check– small but powerful changes you’ll be thanking yourself for making down the line.
It’s worth bearing in mind that osteopaths might not recommend follow-up appointment if they think another sort of medical practitioner could provide more appropriate treatment. They’ll give you advice on who to contact if that’s the case.
The Urban app. A revolution in osteopathy
Until now, osteopaths have been clinic-bound, but with the Urban app we’re working to set them free. We feel osteopathy is such a valuable addition to a wellness routine that it belongs at your fingertips and in your home. The osteopaths we work with are all fully-registered, with years of training and thousands of hours of experience – only now there’s no waiting list to reach them.
Booking via the Urban app, or on urban.co, is easy – just choose a practitioner and set a time for your appointment. They’ll do the leg work.