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The Abbots Langley Clinic

FAQ's

What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment designed to provide pain relief for the body's structural and mechanical problems. A gentle form of treatment, osteopathy can benefit most types of aches, pains and strains in people of every age. It is a natural therapy, which combines the two oldest forms of treatment known to man - MASSAGE and MANIPULATION.

What Is Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy uses physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore human function and movement. Physiotherapy treats injury and disease by correcting and improving the body's own natural healing mechanisms, using a variety of manual hands-on techniques and electro-therapy, to help patients achieve their treatment and rehabilitation goals.

What Should I Expect During A Consultation?

The Osteopath and Physiotherapist’s task is to diagnose and treat faults that occur in the mechanical system due to injury, stress or any other cause, and to ensure that the body is functioning as efficiently as possible. When a person’s structure is in harmony, just like a well-tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of stress and use of energy, leaving more energy available for living. Osteopaths and Physiotherapists work with their hands, using a combination of soft-tissue massage, gentle circulation and passive mobilisation techniques applied to specific joints. Initially, a case history is taken to find out about the patient and their presenting complaint. The patient will normally be asked to undress to their underwear before an examination is undertaken. (Patients have the choice of wearing a gown and if required the option of a chaperone.) Examinations may involve neurological, circulatory or respiratory testing, as well as an assessment of posture and structural state, ultimately leading to a diagnosis and with your consent, treatment. Registered Osteopaths and Chartered Physiotherapists, are trained to recognise conditions that cannot be helped by treatment and will therefore advise patients and refer them as appropriate. At any time during your consultation, you can ask your therapist to explain any of the techniques used or anything that has been discussed.

Does Osteopathy Treat The Underlying Problem?

Osteopaths are not content just with fixing symptoms (the most common form of which is pain), although this is understandably the first priority, but rather are interested in improving the functioning of the body so that symptoms are much less likely to return in the future.

Who Recognises Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is the first complementary therapy to have undergone statutory regulation by Parliament. This gives an osteopath similar status to a doctor or dentist and guarantees a patient the equivalent high level of protection.

Check Ups And Advice.

From time to time, it is advisable to undertake "maintenance" visits to enable us to ensure the previous problem is contained. Patients will be given advice, and often, exercises concerning these complaints in the hope that recurrence of the condition can be significantly reduced or eliminated. After treatment, it is not advisable to partake in heavy exercise for 24 hours to give the tissues time to settle down. It must also be remembered that some conditions can be permanently helped, whilst others only partially relieved or maintained in balance. Each case will receive individual attention in an effort to get the fastest results possible with the longest lasting result.

What Conditions Do Osteopaths And Physiotherapists Help With?

Although a great number of patients consult us with back pain, there are many other conditions that we frequently help with.

These include:

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