Crista Galli Osteopaths

Frequently Asked Questions

We have gathered together information to answer some of the questions we are most frequently asked. The answers given are the opinions of the individual Osteopaths concerned, based on their experiences as practicing Osteopaths.

What happens on my first consultation?           Your visit will take between 30 mins and 1 hour depending on the practitioner you are seeing. Please bring with you any results of tests or X rays you may have had done plus details of medication. The Osteopath will take a detailed case history in order to get an understanding of you. This will include a medical history as well as details of any accidents & falls      Will I be asked to undress?           On the first visit you may be asked to undress to your underwear so the Osteopath can view your spine. It is important that the Osteopath is able to gather as much relevant information as possible. Women are provided with a medical gown.       How long does a course of treatment take?           This depends on the nature and complication of the problem. As a general rule things, which occurred recently, will resolve fairly quickly: 1 to 3 treatments. Longer term, more chronic conditions will take longer. Your Osteopath will discuss your individual situation with you at your 1st treatment. Be assured we have a very busy practice and will not keep you coming longer than necessary.       How does it work, you don`t appear to be doing anything?           See the `What is Osteopathy` section for more info, but our objective is to engage with the body`s process of healing. If we are accurate in our diagnosis of how the body is trying to resolve its problem it requires very little effort to set the process of healing in motion. It’s a bit like rowing a boat down stream all you need to do is maintain enough motion to be able to steer. Trying to row up river is much harder work.         What happens if I get a treatment reaction?            These do happen at times and may be as a result of the body reacting to the stimulus towards health it has been given, or as a result of the body being unable to continue the process of adaptation that the treatment has enabled it to set into motion. Your practitioner will be able to advise you.       What is the difference between Osteopathy and Physiotherapy?          If you go to a physiotherapist with a knee problem the physio will treat the knee and surrounding tissues. In a local recent traumatic injury this is an excellent approach. They may use various pieces of equipment, massage and provide an exercise routine. They are often the 1st line of approach as treatment is available on the NHS.         If you go to an Osteopath with a knee problem the osteopath as well as the local area he or she will look at the structural mechanics throughout the body to understand how and why the knee problem is being maintained. You may find that the Osteopath treats your neck to de-stress the knee and produce a resolution in un-resolving or longer-term problems.        Physiotherapists and Osteopath often have very complementary roles       What is the difference between Osteopathy and Chiropractic?           Both therapies have a similar root. In 1895 a Mr D.D Palmer in severe distress came for treatment in the School of Osteopathy in Kirksville Missouri. He stayed in one of the student houses over the winter and was treated by them. He was impressed by his progress and stayed to study Osteopathy. In 1896 he went home and started his own school of Chiropractic. He disagreed with some of A.T. Still`s theories on the principles behind how Osteopathy worked.        Still believed a disturbance in motion between parts of the spine or elsewhere in the body caused congestion and disturbed blood supply to nerves and local structures and this was the precursor of disease. Palmer believed that the spine and segments getting out of place leading to nerve entrapment was the root of all disease.        In the different theories lie the different approaches. In Chiropractic thrusts are used to put vertebrae back into place. In Osteopathy more gentle movements are used to render motion to an area.        It is the vision and understanding of the practitioner rooted in a deep understanding of their model that is more important than the model itself.            What is the difference between Osteopathy and Craniosacral therapy?        Craniosacral therapy was founded by an Osteopath, John Upledger. Osteopaths in the USA also have the same training as medical doctors and he wanted to make it more available by teaching non-osteopaths. He introduced various other concepts such as energy cysts.         In our opinion while craniosacral therapy can be helpful in many cases, cranial osteopathy is a part of Osteopathy, you can`t treat the cranium in isolation from the rest of the body. For its safe and effective application it depends on a deep understanding of Osteopathic principles and a thorough and continuing study of anatomy.       Is it OK to mix treatments?        It is not usually a good idea to mix different treatment modalities. The therapeutic process takes place as much between treatments as during the treatment itself. Having said this, sometimes two different approaches can be mutually supportive so discuss this with your practitioner

Osteopathy: Caring for the Individual