Osteopathy Clinic in Luton
About Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a process focusing on diagnosis, rehabilitation and preventing disorders primarily of the body’s musculoskeletal system, which includes joints, muscles, nerves and ligaments. Osteopaths use a wide range of hands-on treatment techniques including massage mobilisation or manipulation of joints, reinforced with lifestyle guidance, exercise and postural advice. From circulatory problems and sports injuries to digestion problems, all can be treated at Leagrave Therapy Clinic.
Osteopaths & Regulation
Osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Osteopathy has been a regulated profession since 1993 and is recognised by NHS England as one of the 14 allied health professions. The Allied Health Profession (AHP) status, assures patients the same high level of care as would be expected from other AHPs such as podiatrists, physiotherapists and paramedics. As such, osteopathic practice is no longer considered to be complementary or an alternative therapy.
There is a growing recognition across healthcare with the importance of investing in screening, establishing an early diagnosis and appreciating the value of using AHPs such as osteopaths to conduct such services in the community setting which is now recognised as best practise.
Useful links:
NHS long term plan, Jan 2019:
www.longtermplan.nhs.uk
'Prevention is better than cure' report, Nov. 2018:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prevention-is-better-than-cure-our-vision-to-help-you-live-well-for-longer
At the Leagrave Therapy Clinic you will be welcomed by an experienced practitioner. Treatment and assessment is performed with a guaranteed professional and friendly but "no nonsense" approach to ensure the highest standard of care.
What Is Osteopathic Treatment?
Osteopathic treatment is hands-on using a wide range of treatment techniques to the spine and joints which may include:
Soft Tissue Techniques, Trigger Points and Passive Stretching Techniques.
Plenty of soft tissue techniques including massage are applied to sore, tight muscles.
Mobilisation
Moving joints to release stiffness and tension with the aim of
improving range and quality of movement.
Osteopathic Manipulation
Osteopathic spinal manipulation is different from spinal manipulation due to the need of understanding the Osteopathic philosophy which is learnt over a 4 to 5 year Osteopathy degree course at university. It is therefore the application of these techniques that distinguishes osteopaths and osteopathic practice. The philosophy learnt involves the practitioner to understand when and why to apply a particular treatment technique with the aim of improving certain changes within the body in terms of its movement and function.
Other
All other treatment methods that might be offered with the combination of traditional Osteopathic manual treatment require additional postgraduate training which your osteopath has undertaken.
These methods include medical acupuncture/ acupressure (depending on preference), kinesiology taping and prescribing home exercises which can be sent to you via email. Electrotherapy might also be applied such as ultrasound, Interferential Therapy (IFT) and TENs, which can be very useful for certain ligament and tendon problems.
All treatment options are only performed with the patient's full consent and will be discussed throughout the course of treatment. Your osteopath will explain the different treatment methods they offer and you will have an opportunity to discuss which techniques they think best for your condition. If you are unhappy with any of these techniques being offered or used please let your practitioner know and they can plan your treatment accordingly.
Conditions patients Often See Osteopaths For:
Osteopathy can help and relieve a wide range of conditions broadly ranging from:
Medical acupuncture
- Generalised aches and pains
- Back pain or general acute and chronic backache (not arising from injury or accident)
- Sciatica
Uncompli - Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic or migraine prevention)
- Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise
- Arthritic pain
- Frozen shoulder, shoulder and elbow pain, tennis elbow (lateral epicondilitis) arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck, but not isolated occurrences
- Muscle cramp, minor sports injuries and tensions
- Rheumatic pain, joint pains, stiff joints and lumbago
- Circulatory problems
- Digestion problems
- Neuralgia and Fibromyalgia
- Inability to relax
What to Expect At Your First Visit
During a consultation, time will be spent taking a full medical case history. A physical assessment is performed using a series of neurological, orthopedic and osteopathic testing.
Clients can expect a posture assessment and postural defects are observed throughout their course of treatment. Highly skilled palpation is used to feel for tight muscles and stiff joints.
A full diagnosis is then made to establish a treatment plan that is suitable for the patient's individual needs. All treatment applications are designed to reduce symptoms and improve circulation.
Osteopaths should make the patient feel at ease and any treatment intentions or techniques used will be explained before they are performed. Patients are encouraged to ask questions throughout the treatment process should they feel unsure about anything said or done at any time during their appointment. It may take several sessions before your condition is relieved.
Respecting You - Your Modesty Matters
It is important that you feel comfortable during your osteopathic treatment, particularly around matters of modesty and privacy. Should you be uncomfortable to disrobe, patients are covered
by towels throughout consultations and asked to take shorts and a sleeveless top. The practitioner will exit the room during stages of undressing and dressing into appropriate garments.
At Your Appointment
As an osteopathic patient you are entitled to the highest standard of care and you should expect your osteopath to:
About Your Practitioner
- Make your care their priority
- Treat you with dignity and respect
- Involve you in decisions about your care
- Respond promptly to your concern
- Respect and protect your private information
Unregistered Osteopathic Practice is Illegal
The title 'osteopath' is protected by law. It is against the law for anyone to call themselves an osteopath unless they are registered with the GOsC (General Osteopathic Council).
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The GOsC can, and will, prosecute people who practise as osteopaths when they are not on the GOsC register.
History of Osteopathy
The therapy is recognised as a primary healthcare
profession and a manual medicine based on the clinical experiences of the American founder, Andrew Taylor Still (1828 – 1917). He composed the term osteopathy, which derives from the Greek language ‘osteon ’ meaning bone and ‘pathos’ which means suffering. Osteopathic medicine emphasises the relationship between the body’s structures that govern functions. Osteopaths recognise that the body has a natural self-healing mechanism and will observe the patient as a unit physically, psychologically and spiritually.
Please Note...
No Treatment Option:
Not every single client or person who walks into a physical therapist's room will necessarily be a ‘candidate' to receive physical therapy. It may not be appropriate to receive physical therapy treatment for that particular day, or in some cases, at all.
After the practitioner has received a medical case history and/ or performed an assessment, the practitioner may think that receiving physical therapy is not appropriate for your particular case. Should this be decided, a discussion will be had with you along with an explanation and referral options will be recommended with no treatment applied. No charge or a fee will be given should this occur.
The list below are some examples of individuals who will not be appropriate to receive physical therapy and will NOT receive treatment:
• Individuals with dementia or severe short term memory loss and do not have the capacity to give their informed consent to receive physical therapy.
• Individuals who fail to fill in the medical registration form prior to a physical examination or treatment.
• Individuals who refuse to share their medical case history with the practitioner e.g. medications that they are taking, operations they have had or current medical conditions.
• Individuals who do not wish to undress at all or take any items of their clothing off before a physical examination or treatment.
• Individuals who have a suspected undiagnosed underlying pathology e.g. liver, kidney, respiratory, cancer, cardiovascular disease. A referral will be advised.
• Individuals who request a form of physical therapy intervention when the practitioner may not redeem the method medically safe or appropriate.
• Individuals who refuse to have their blood pressure taken when requested by the practitioner.
• Men will need to wear underwear or shorts.
Thank you for your understanding.
To Book an Appointment, Call us Today on
01582 596 380
