FAQs

What sort of treatments do you do?

A variety, rather than the same thing each visit. Depending on what’s necessary, we often work to stretch soft tissues, articulate (i.e. move around), immobile joints to loosen them. Traction is also used sometimes to stretch joints & promote drainage. 

Where necessary, & providing it is safe, we also manipulate (‘click’) joints to free them up, but only part of a broader treatment plan.   Neuromuscular techniques are also used on contracted & painful muscles to relax them.

In addition, we offer other diagnostic & treatment techniques such as cranial osteopathy, which is used to treat adults & infants alike in the gentlest of ways. It is especially useful for those with chronic pain or limited tolerance of more physical techniques.

In summary, we offer a variety of techniques to suit the problem & individual, and always endeavour to keep treatments comfortable.


 

How are osteopathic treatments different from other kinds of manual therapy?

What sets us apart from many other types of manual healthcare practitioner is the time we actually spend on hands-on treatment; rather than using machines or getting the patient to do exercises during consultation times.

Treatment times of around half an hour allow us to treat not only the part that hurts, but also to be more thorough by looking at other surrounding areas in trouble or helping to cause the problem. This leads to integrated treatments with better results for the long term.

In addition to standard physical tests, touch (also called palpation) is one of our major tools for assessing the body. These days it is highly undervalued, but in the right hands gives useful information about the state of a joint and the surrounding tissues.

Much of this sort of clinically useful information will not show on x-rays, which in any case are notorious for producing findings inconsistent with a patient’s symptoms. For example, it is not uncommon for x-rays to show significant wear and tear (arthritis) in a pain-free individual, but next to nothing in another person in a lot of discomfort.

 

Will I have to commit myself to a number of treatments?

The choice of how often you come or how long for is yours, and no pressure will be put on you to commit to a programme of treatment. 
 
Some people just want relief from their immediate symptoms with the fewest number of sessions.  Others feel that although the pain they came about is gone, more treatment can still be of longer-term benefit, or because they want to feel the benefits of treatment for other problems.

 

How many sessions will I need?

Our goal is to get you off treatment by helping your body get back to doing what it usually does so well – looking after itself & recovering from everyday stresses without the need for constant regular visits over months & even years! 

Where there is no history of significant damage related to the problem, & when the complaint is not a long-standing one, most patients will normally experience significant relief with the first 3 or 4 sessions, some in even fewer. 

However, those with chronic issues or significant wear & tear may find a need for more regular ‘top-up’ visits. As for frequency of treatments, we do not normally see patients more than once a week unless they are in severe pain, & visits are progressively spaced out as soon as lasting & significant improvements in symptoms are reported. 

 

What will my first consultation be like?

Allow 40 minutes. This enables us to:

• Take a detailed case-history about your problem & general medical state.
• Do any specialist tests such as taking reflexes, blood pressure or listening to your lungs.
• Examine you by getting you to do a range of movements within your tolerance. We will also use our hands & sense of touch to assess the state of the relevant joints.  Information from these steps allows us to come up with a   diagnosis.
• Treat you & give advice about how to stay pain-free.
  
   

Will I need to undress?

You may need to undress temporarily if, for example, we need to look at your spine or do specialised neurological tests requiring direct skin contact.  At some point we usually need to see the spine, but this can often be done just by lifting rather than removing clothing.  
 
Most patients can get by without undressing for most of the session as long as they wear loose, thin clothing that does not restrict movement or treatment to the muscled & joints underneath.  If coming from work you can always bring a more appropriate change of clothing with you & change at the clinic. 

Please save time by removing jewelry before coming for treatment for the neck and shoulder area.
  
 

Do I need to see my G.P first?

No.  You can make your ACC claim and get treatment all in the same visit without needing to see anyone else first. 

And if your claim was made through a physiotherapist or chiropractor, you can use that same claim for osteopathy without going through any formalities first.  Just call us for an appointment and bring your ACC Claim Form Number with you.

 

Clinic locations, hours of business and making appointments

Jill (021 053 1618)

Milford Health Clinic 50 East Coast R'd	Tuesdays: 8.20 - 2 Wednesday: 8.20 - 5
Torbay Clinic 2/70 Deep Creek R'd	Mondays: 8.20 - 5 Thursdays: 11.20 - 5

Chris (022 025 8665)                                                        

Torbay Clinic 2/70 Deep Creek R'd Milford Health Clinic 50 E. Coast R'd

Tuesdays: 8.40 - 5.20 (last appointment) Wednesdays: 8.40 - 12  and 5.20 - 7.20  Thursdays:  5.40 - 7.40 pm  Fridays: 2 - 5.20  Saturdays: 9.20 - 12  Thurs 8.40 - 12.40 (last app) Fri 9.20 - 12