First, the doctor listens to you: they learn about your complaints, when the pain started and what is bothering you.
Then the body is examined as a whole — posture, spine, pelvis and mobility are assessed. The goal is to find not just the pain, but its cause.
1Stages of the appointment
- Taking your medical history. The doctor learns about your complaints, medical history, lifestyle and general state of health.
- Examination standing up. Posture, symmetry of movement and the body’s overall balance are analyzed in a standing position.
- Examination lying down. The patient is examined in a comfortable lying position — muscle tightness (muscle blocks), skeletal imbalances and zones of tension are identified.
- Additional tests when needed. The doctor may refer you for imaging or laboratory tests.
- Diagnosis and treatment plan. Based on the information gathered, the cause of the problem is identified and an individual plan is prepared.
- Agreeing on and implementing the plan. The treatment plan is discussed with the patient; it is adjusted during the process as needed.
2After the session
Osteopathic treatment sets the body’s self-healing process in motion. After the first session, the body may react in one of two ways: lightness and relaxation, or fatigue, mild aches and sometimes a rise in temperature. Both reactions are normal and pass within 2–3 days. This shows that the body has begun returning to balance.
3Falling asleep during a session
During osteopathic therapy, the body relaxes and the nervous system comes out of its stress state. Because the muscles and tissues enter a state of deep calm, the body begins to renew itself. Falling asleep is a natural part of this process and enhances the effectiveness of the treatment.