Osteopathy - FAQ's
- Osteopathy. That's bones isn't it?
- Do I need an X-ray or MRI before seeing an Osteopath?
- Do I need to see a Doctor before coming to an Osteopath?
- What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?
- What is the difference between a cranial osteopath and a structural osteopath?
- What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Physiotherapist?
- How does William Hauxwell (Registered Osteopath) differ as an osteopath?
- Is treatment by an osteopath safe during pregnancy?
- Is treatment by an osteopath safe for babies?
- Should I bring my baby in for treatment with an osteopath even if he or she is happy and has no problems?
- Should I come in to see my osteopath for regular check-ups even if I am well?
- Should I bring my child to see an osteopath for regular check-ups?
- Can I get money back for my treatment with an osteopath?
Osteopathy. That's bones isn't it?
Osteopathy is a bit of a misnomer. Although the word means disease coming from bones it would be more appropriate to refer to disease coming from the joints. However treatment by an osteopath involves work on muscles, tendons, ligaments and all the tissues of the body directly and indirectly.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI before seeing an Osteopath?
Generally no. Only in very specific circumstances are these types of imaging required, in which case your osteopath will refer you on accordingly.
Radiologists say that 95% of X-rays conducted on behalf of doctors are not necessary.
Chiropractors often like to use X-rays for their diagnosis. Palpation (touch) and observation by an osteopath is generally sufficient to obtain the vast majority of this information and more.
Do I need to see a Doctor before coming to an Osteopath?
No. Conventional diagnosis is part of the training to become an osteopath. Conventional diagnosis by an osteopath screens out patients with pain that is not coming from their muscles and joints, and refers on accordingly.
On some occasions the revenue insist on a doctor’s referral letter to your osteopath to validate claims for tax rebate.
What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?
Osteopathy and chiropractic have common historical origins and treat similar conditions with similar techniques.
Chiropractors tend to focus on spinal manipulation and often prescribe many frequent short sessions (10-20 minutes). Chiropractors often keep patients coming back for treatment when they are well.
Treatment sessions by an osteopath tend to be longer (30-45 minutes) and less frequent.
An osteopath may work on joints other than the spinal ones and use a variety of techniques on muscles and other tissues.
Chiropractors often use the title doctor, but they are “Doctors of Chiropractic” not medical doctors.
What is the difference between a cranial osteopath and a structural osteopath?
Training as an osteopath is primarily structural. After qualifying as an osteopath some practitioners go on to study “cranial osteopathy”. Cranial osteopathy involves very gentle energy based techniques, which can be used throughout the body and not just on the head as the term implies.
Treatment approach varies a lot from osteopath to osteopath. Some may describe themselves as a primarily structural osteopath and others as a primarily cranial osteopath.
Structural osteopathy has a greater similarity to chiropractic than cranial osteopathy.
What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Physiotherapist?
It requires a 4-5 year full time degree to become an osteopath whereas Physiotherapists do a 3-year degree course. This is partly because training as an osteopath involves becoming a primary care practitioner (able to use conventional diagnosis to screen for pain not coming from muscles and joints).
Physiotherapists tend to have a muscular approach to diagnosis and are more likely to use machines such as ultrasound, TENS (electric nerve stimulation) and laser. Some physiotherapists do postgraduate courses in manipulation but primary training does not include it.
Osteopathy and physiotherapy often involve massage, specialised stretching techniques and exercise advice.
Physiotherapists are often perceived as more mainstream due to involvement in post-surgical rehabilitation in hospitals and treatment of sport’s injuries.
How does William Hauxwell (Registered Osteopath) differ as an osteopath?
William Hauxwell (Registered Osteopath) is primarily a structural osteopath when it comes to the treatment of adults.
William Hauxwell (Registered Osteopath) focuses a lot on manipulation of the Sacro-iliac joints (large joints in the pelvis). These joints are generally ignored by Chiropractors and (he believes) insufficiently treated by other osteopaths.
He believes these joints are generally the source of mechanical problems leading to back pain and headaches and certain knee problems. When these joints are manipulated properly he believes he can get a greater proportion of people better with long-term preventative effects.
William Hauxwell (Registered Osteopath) often uses rib manipulation and sometimes a specific type of acupuncture as well as other techniques for the treatment of shoulder problems. Chiropractors and Physiotherapists do not generally perform rib manipulation.
He believes he can often resolve shoulder problems, which have not responded to other therapies or therapists.
Is treatment by an osteopath safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Many people experience back pain during pregnancy and treatment by your osteopath is safe and effective. It will not harm your baby.
Is treatment by an osteopath safe for babies?
Yes. Techniques used by your osteopath on babies are gentler than those used on adults and are very safe. The most common problem treated is infantile colic.
Should I bring my baby in for treatment with an osteopath even if he or she is happy and has no problems?
Yes. Strain patterns produced at birth can give rise to immediate discomfort in the form of colic but will remain if left untreated and can cause problems later in life. 2-3 sessions with an osteopath after the baby has passed the 2-week mark should be sufficient to remove these patterns.
Should I come in to see my osteopath for regular check-ups even if I am well?
A T Still, the founder of osteopathy, said, “Find it fix it then leave it alone”. Most problems once resolved do not need further treatment from an osteopath.
However some people that get recurrent pain or problems, which cannot be resolved completely, may require maintenance treatments.
If you have any kind of fall or accident it is advisable to come in to see an osteopath to free up locked joints which may store up problems in the future.
Should I bring my child to see an osteopath for regular check-ups?
It is prudent to bring children to see an osteopath for check-ups once or twice a year as knocks and falls can occur unnoticed and store up problems for the future, which can be harder to resolve.
Can I get money back for my treatment with an osteopath?
All the private healthcare providers cover treatment from an osteopath. The amount per treatment and number of treatments covered depends on the scheme and provider.
Osteopathic treatment is a tax deductible expense (now only at the lower rate of tax). MED1 forms can be downloaded from www.revenue.ie. Sometimes they require a letter of referral from your GP.
LINKS
Osteopathic Council of Ireland (OCI): www.osteopathy.ie
General Osteopathic Council of Great Britain: www.osteopathy.uk
British Osteopathic Association: www.osteopathy.org