Ajay Shah, B.Sc. (Hons.), D.O. Registered Osteopath

www.osteoshah.com

	What I Treat	Consultation & Follow-Up	Osteopathy - A Brief History

The first consultation lasts up to an hour and consists of the taking of a thorough case history as well as detailed notes on your general health. Osteopaths are aware that the body works as a whole and that ill-health can have its manifestations in the musculo-skeletal system.

The case-history taking is usually followed by a physical examination. You may be asked to undress to your underwear. Women may like to bring shorts or tracksuit bottoms to be examined in. Posture may be observed to note any imbalances in the skeleton and muscle tone, and to note any deviation of the spinal curves from normal. This is usually followed by asking the patient to carry out movements I ask him/her to make, and passive movements where I assess range and quality of movement. From all this a picture begins to emerge about what is not functioning well and why.

If it is felt that treatment is appropriate, then I begin to treat. If not then the patient may be referred elsewhere, usually to his/her G.P. This may happen when there is doubt as to whether or not there is a fracture, or if there are points in the case history indicating systematic illness such as inflammatory arthritis, cancer, or other pathologies.

If treatment is deemed appropriate, I proceed. I start by stretching soft tissues and mobilisations. To complement that I may give advice about exercises to do at home, or how to adjust the posture when sitting or carrying out activities, as well as general advice about lifestyle, relaxation and diet. Follow-up treatments will be up to an half an hour long and updates about changes will be noted as well as further treatment being given to relevant areas.