As the common saying goes, health is wealth. This is indeed true, and it has been found that an Osteopath can become an amazing addition to your health care team. They are professionals whose job is to treat the body by applying the philosophy of treatment. An Osteopath is one of the best options to consider for the treatment and management of certain ailments. However, the frequently asked questions are who is an Osteopath, and why do I need them?
An Osteopath is a healthcare practitioner who practices osteopathy by manipulating the muscles and skeleton. You should consider seeing one when you suffer from any illness relating to your muscles and bones. It is also important to know that seeing an Osteopath is not only limited to when you have a severe medical condition as they can help in pain and posture management. Below are some of the reasons to visit an Osteopath:
Neck Pain
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons to visit an Osteopath. Be it acute or chronic; it is the job of this professional to identify the source of the pain and treat the affected tissues as well as its surrounding areas to prevent the recurrence of pain.
Headaches and Migraine
Headaches come in different types and intensity, and the same goes for migraines. It is the job of your Osteopath to examine you and identify the specific one you are experiencing. Knowing the kind of headache you are experiencing enables effective treatment. It is also the job of your Osteopath to carry out proper post-treatment management.
Lower Back Pain
This is a condition that is popular with people who sit in one position for a long time. This can be worse with bad posture. When experiencing severe back pain, the best course of action is to see an Osteopath. They help you identify the cause of your pain and treat it accordingly. Some cases may require imaging, which will include MRI’s. Although nothing can be done to your 8hours+ job, your Osteopath will discuss office ergonomics and right working postures to reduce the chances of you experiencing pain again.
Scoliosis Of the Spine
You also need an Osteopath if you or your child suffers from scoliosis of the spine. They are well trained in assessing the condition of the spine and reading x-rays to know the degrees of scoliosis. Depending on the severity of the case, your Osteopath can also refer you to other medical practitioners.
Upper Back Or Rib Pain that Causes Breathing Pain
Due to the proximity of the ribcage to the spine, these two areas tend to affect each other. When the diaphragm is also affected, it can result in pain while breathing. It is the job of the Osteopath to treat this area and ensure its optimal functioning.
Sport Injuries
An Osteopath is one of the best elementary health professionals to see after a sports injury. They have a minimum of 5 years of training and knowledge of how to treat conditions relating to the muscle and skeleton. Their training covers the whole part of the body, not only the neck and back, as many think. The sports injuries that can be handled by an Osteopath ranges from an ankle sprain to rotator cuff tear.
Your first visit to an Osteopath will commence with questions about your condition, and it will also require you to give a detailed description of the pain. This session will also involve an examination of your case history. After this, the Osteopath will require an in-depth knowledge of your past medical history to know the correlation with your present condition. This will also include your family history and the history of your medication.
An osteopathic examination is a next step after this. It will include a postural assessment, neurological tests, orthopedic testing, and many more. These tests allow your Osteopath to offer their diagnostic opinion and know the severity of your condition. It is also helpful in knowing the best form of treatment for tackling this issue. Your treatment may be carried out by the Osteopath, or you will be referred to other professionals depending on its severity.
The techniques for carrying out osteopathic treatment include soft tissue massage, joint articulation, stretching, muscle energy techniques, and many more.
Finally, as mentioned before, it is the job of your Osteopath to provide you with adequate post-treatment care and management. They also help manage your condition through proper dieting, stretching, and strengthening exercises at home. You also get advice about your gym routine and posture.