Osteopathy consists of a set of philosophies that guide our treatment approach. We use different manual techniques including joint manipulation, articulation and soft tissue modalities to help patients reduce their symptoms and regain function.
Greenhithe Osteopaths offer postural assessment, advice and encourage regular checkups to promote continuous health of the body. We believe in injury prevention and management to allow patients to carry out their occupational and social activities with minimal hindrance.
This is a more gentle form of treatment and some patients respond better to this as opposed to manual osteopathic treatment. If upon assessment we feel that you will benefit from cranial osteopathy, we will discuss this further with you before using this approach.
This is a form of modern acupuncture that is based on western study of the human anatomy and physiology used by health care professionals such as specially trained GPs, osteopaths and physiotherapists. This form of treatment is particularly effective for groups of patients with conditions such as chronic muscle tension, low back or neck pain, headaches and migraines. Medical acupuncture is available on Wednesday evenings at the Swanscombe clinic.
The initial consultation lasts up to one hour. We will record a thorough medical history, conduct a full examination which may include certain orthopaedic and neurological tests, discuss your diagnosis and provide some preliminary treatment. Where possible, we will also provide you with an indication of the prognosis and the number of treatments that you may need to recover from your symptoms or injury.
Subsequent consultations normally take up to thirty minutes. Stretches, exercises and further advice are often given at this point to provide you with a greater control over your own condition which then allows you to manage it better. Where needed, diagnostic tests such as scans and imaging can be arranged for you during the treatment process.
In a lot of cases especially where spinal injuries are involved, patients may have to be undressed up to their underwear during the initial assessment (first few minutes) so we can examine and diagnose the condition appropriately. Patients are encouraged to bring along a pair of shorts or suitable loose clothing to change into during the treatment process after that.
We require parents to be in the room when children and young teenagers are being treated. All other patients are welcome to bring along another person for company during the treatment process.