What people want to know about osteopathy
Here we look at some of the main questions people ask before they visit an Osteopath or they wish to know about Osteopathy.
How many people are satisfied with treatment they receive?
Generally we would all tend to say that the vast majority of our clients are very satisfied with the treatment they receive. A patient outcome study conducted by the University of Brighton of 1700 patients concluded that 96% of patients were in fact satisfied or very satisfied with their treatment. (2010 study at Brighton) At Broadwater Osteopaths we have over 200 google reviews and an over 98% of our general reviews are 5*.
How long do people suffer with pain on average before they see an osteopath?
The general osteopathic council conducted a survey in 2015 which concluded that 50.4% of people who see an osteopath have been suffering pain for over 13-weeks, but 61.1% were able to get an osteopathic appointment within 3 days! At BOP our mission is to be able to offer new clients an appointment within 48- hours. Fast access to treatment will often mean that problems can be dealt with before they become chronic and the success rate is much greater when problems are addressed quickly.
Quality and standards in osteopathic practice
All of our osteopaths are registered with the general osteopathic council and are members of the institute of osteopathy too. All osteopaths will have trained for 4 or 5 years before qualifying and undergone rigorous exams and many hours of clinical practice in this time too. They all take part in regular continuing practice development (CPD) to retain their registration and also take part in in-house CPD too. These 2 organisations are responsible for safeguarding the standards of osteopathy and also promoting it to the public too, raising awareness of the profession as a whole.
Is osteopathy treatment effective?
There are numerous studies which demonstrate the effectiveness of osteopathy and manual therapy in treating common complaints such as low back pain. The national council of osteopathic research in 2017 conducted a patient outcome score report which demonstrated 89% of patients reported an improvement in symptoms after one week and 93% reported the same after 6 weeks.
Is osteopathy treatment safe?
Osteopathic treatment is very safe, particularly when you compare it to other interventions (Carnes et al 2009. Adverse event in Manual Therapy). There are some risks associated with treatment, the more common ones being stiffness and soreness post treatment, but the risk of treatment overall compared to other interventions is very low. Risks are minimised by effective case history taking, examination and thorough screening. Patients considered unsuitable for treatment, following questioning/screening or both, would not be treated and instead referred onwards as appropriate.
How much does it osteopathy cost?
Osteopathy treatment costs will vary region to region and also depending on treatment time duration. At BOP our new client appointments are £55 and subsequent follow-up are £45. When you compare this to the cost of say a haircut, osteopathy is pretty affordable to most people.
What can an Osteopath help me with?
An osteopath may be able to help you with a wide variety of problems, from back and neck pains, to arthritic pains, muscle aches, shoulder problems, headaches and digestive problems. They will look at the whole of you and look to help your body function by improving the way it moves and works. Why not take a look here to find out more- Osteopathy in Worthing.
What is the difference between an Osteopath, Physiotherapist and Chiropractor
There is a difference in the training between these 3 professions and in the historical philosophies behind each one. In terms of pain however and a patient coming in with back pain, outcomes are no different between the professions, it is simply patient choice to which they prefer. Take a look at this blog post which examines the differences further here.
Does osteopathy hurt
Sometimes patients may feel sore, stiff or achy after a treatment and these symptoms are quite commonly experienced, but generally short lived. During treatment some patients may also experience mild discomfort, but every osteopath will be guided on how they work by their patient. It is important to speak out to your osteopath if you are experiencing any discomfort during a treatment. They will ask throughout, but it is good to mention anything you are uncomfortable with too.
