The osteopath will ask for the symptoms and personal history to assess the origin of the problem. With this information the osteopath will perform a series of tests to find out which is the priority for treatment. Pain could be the consequence of another part of the body being affected.
The tension areas in the tissues will be relaxed through gentle pressure which will help to relax the information stored in the nervous system and will rebalance the body (bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons).
This method helps the patient liberate the physical and nervous tensions having a positive effect at an emotional level.
The consultation lasts for 1 hour. The frequency depends on the seriousness and age of the injury. Usually two days are needed to recover after and osteopathic treatment because changes take place at a deep level and the body needs time to find its new equilibrium.
Let us take the example of a person that is 45 years old and complains about the pain in the shoulder that has its origin in a car accident that occurred when this person was 20 years old. How many tensions and adaptations will be liberated that have their origins in this accident since the body had to make many adaptations to its posture during 25 years!
Sometimes after a treatment temporary discomfort might occur. This happens because the tissues are adapting to the new posture. Intense sporting activities are not advised after an osteopathic treatment for a couple of days or even longer depending on the age of the injury. The body needs time to assimilate the changes made. After this period of assimilation the patients will feel much better.