Should I go see an Osteopath?
If you have had pain for more than 6-weeks, then the bit that hurts is unlikely to be the cause of your pain. Osteopaths are experts in finding the source of the problem and providing long term relief as they understand the connectivity of the whole body system.
So, back to the question - Should you go see an Osteopath?
Should you leave it alone, or go for treatment? Let us break it down for you.
Sprains and Strains
When to see an Osteopath
Sprains and strains are an overstretching of muscles, ligaments (hold joints together) or tendons (attach muscles to bones). They are usually not serious, even though they hurt a lot.
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You need to see an osteopath if the pain lasts for more than 3-5 days. Strains and sprains usually recover by themselves very well.
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DO NOT STRETCH A SPRAIN or STRAIN. It might need taping to prevent accidental stretching. This is easy and any health professional or sports trainer should be able to do it for you. Rest, Ice, Compression, and anti-inflammatory medication can also help, if you are allowed it.
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When should I see an Osteopath for sprains and strains?
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If you are concerned that this is a severe injury
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If it hurts for more than 3-5 days
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If the area feels clumsy, weak, or like it could easily get injured again
What to expect from an Osteopathic Consultation at ReachHealth?
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Expert assessment of strain, sprain, spasm, or a more serious issue
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Immediate and lasting relief in most cases
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Simple to follow, no-nonsense advice on how to manage this issue
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Honest plan to let you know if this is an ongoing issue or an easy fix
Arthritis
When to see an Osteopath
Arthritis can be a scary word for many of us. The most common type is called osteoarthritis, and it simply means simply wear and tear in a joint, which in the majority of cases is normal as we age. You can think of it as an older car that does not run as smoothly as it used to. Osteoarthritis is the only type of arthritis that an Osteopath can help with. The other forms of arthritis are a result of inflammatory processes and usually need to be managed by a specialist Rheumatologist.
It sounds counterintuitive, but X-RAYS MEAN VERY LITTLE when examining the relationship between osteoarthritis and pain. For example, it has been shown by research that up to 50% of people in their 20s and 30s have signs of degeneration visible on x-ray but experience no back pain. In just the same way a rough car ride might cause one person to feel ill, it might not affect another.
When should I see an Osteopath for arthritis?
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You have ongoing joint pain
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You have been told that you have osteoarthritis and you want a second opinion
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When your joints feel consistently stiff or achy
What to expect from an Osteopathic Consultation at ReachHealth?
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Expert assessment of ALL the causes of your joint pain
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Immediate and lasting relief in most cases
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Simple to follow, no-nonsense advice on how to manage this issue
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A concise, practical plan of management if your diagnosis is an ongoing issue, or a shorter-term treatment strategy if it’s an “easy fix”
Disc Bulge & Slipped Disc
When to see an Osteopath
There are a lot of exaggerated myths about the danger of disc bulges - most of them are not true.
A disc bulge is basically a PIMPLE.
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Before the pimple pops, it’s called a BULGE
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As it breaks the surface of the skin it’s called a HERNIATION (slipped)
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Once it’s popped it is called an EXTRUSION
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Are disc bulges dangerous?
Most of the time they are IRRELEVANT. Just like a pimple, 87% of us have one at some time and don’t even notice it.
So why do disc bulges get such a bad reputation?
We used to think that they were a major cause of back pain. But we also used to think that the world was majorly flat. We now know that they are a very normal thing to find on most people’s scans, but they do not mean much at all.
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When is a disc bulge a serious problem?
They are only a problem when they cause strange sensations in the legs or cause weakness in the legs. But this only happens in one quarter (25%) of back pain sufferers.
Should I see an Osteopath for disc bulges?
Yes, definitely. If you have been told that your back pain is because of a disc bulge, then you should definitely see an osteopath.
So often, there is more to your back pain than just the disc bulge. How good would it feel to get the whole issue fixed up?
When should I see an Osteopath for disc bulges?
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Any time that you have been told you have a disk bulge
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If your back pain lasts more than 3-5 days
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If your back pain goes into your legs
What to expect from an Osteopathic Consultation at ReachHealth?
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Expert assessment of all the causes of your back pain
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Immediate and lasting relief in most cases
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Simple to follow, no-nonsense advice on how to manage this issue
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Honest plan to let you know if this is an ongoing issue or an easy fix
Back Pain in Pregnancy
When to see an Osteopath
Back pain is very common during pregnancy. There is a lot of “fake news” about how to treat it. In most cases, one simple exercise fixes it completely.
Pelvic instability is pain in the lower back and at the pubic bone. The fake news says it is because of hormones and changing shape… yes, but men can get it too.
The most common cause of back pain during pregnancy is that the legs (especially the adductors) have to adapt to the changes in shape and weight. The adductors’ job is to hold the pelvis stable. So, let’s help them do their job well.
When should I see an Osteopath for back pain in pregnancy?
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Whenever you have been told that you have a pelvic instability
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Whenever you have ongoing back pain
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Whenever want lasting relief from your back pain without doing endless exercises
What to expect from an Osteopathic Consultation at ReachHealth?
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Expert assessment of ALL the muscle affecting your back, not just the “core”
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Immediate and lasting relief in most cases
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Simple to follow, no-nonsense advice on how to manage this issue
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Honest plan to let you know if this is an ongoing issue for your whole pregnancy or an easy fix
Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine
When to see an Osteopath
There are so many exaggerated myths about the dangers of scoliosis.
EVERYBODY HAS A LITTLE BIT OF SCOLIOSIS!
Scoliosis is a sidewise curve in the spine. It can be shaped like the letter C (like someone leaning to the side). Or it can be shaped like the letter S (harder to see, because the two curves balance each other out)
Most scoliosis is normal. Nobody except the Mona Lisa is truly symmetrical. So, most scoliosis only affects the way we look. It does not affect the way we feel or function. MOST SCOLIOSIS DOES NOT NEED TREATMENT.
When is scoliosis a problem?
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When it is causing back pain
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When it is causing breathing issues
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When it is severe - You need to know a number called your Cobb Angle. Anything higher than 30 degrees is a problem. Also, if the angle is regularly increasing that is a problem.
When should I see an Osteopath for scoliosis?
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Whenever you have been told that you have a scoliosis problem
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Whenever you have ongoing back pain
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Whenever you want a second opinion about your back
What to expect from an Osteopathic Consultation at ReachHealth?
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Sensible, non-scary discussion about the severity of your scoliosis
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Effective relief if your scoliosis can be treated with osteopathy
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Referral to the right expert if we have any concerns
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What about Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Ankylosing spondylitis (or Anky Spond to those familiar with it) tends to start in late teen to early 20s. It is a back pain that is made better with exercise and made worse with rest. Over a long period of time, it can cause the set in a fixed position.
Osteopathy can help relieve the symptoms in the early stages. However, the main treatments is lots of exercise and medication prescribed by a joint specialist.
Muscle Spasm
When to see an Osteopath
Spasms use muscles screaming out in panic. It is excruciating pain, but they are NOT DAMAGED!
What makes muscles spasm or stress out? Well, the same things that make you stress out…
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Thirst (dehydrated)
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Hunger (nutrient and mineral deficiency)
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Overworked (Doing more than is reasonable, or a new activity)
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Tension (Hold tension for long enough and it will spasm)
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No good reason / Just Coz! (We all stress out for no good reason sometimes. Muscles do it too)
Spasms love a good stretch AND dealing with the underlying issues above.
When to see an Osteopath for muscle spasms?
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If you are concerned that this is a severe injury
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If it hurts for more than 3-5 days
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If the area feels clumsy, weak, or like it could easily get injured again
What to expect from an Osteopathic Consultation at ReachHealth?
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Expert assessment of strain, sprain, spasm, or a more serious issue
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Immediate and lasting relief in most cases
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Simple to follow, no-nonsense advice on how to manage this issue
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Honest plan to let you know if this is an ongoing issue or an easy fix.
Spine or Vertebral Fractures – DO NOT visit an Osteopath, Physio, or Chiro
Breaking or even damaging the bones of your spine is very difficult to do. It usually needs a huge amount of force like a car accident, a fall from above 1.5m, or a high impact sport.
If you have hurt your back in any of these situations, then please go to your doctor or a hospital immediately. Osteopath, Physio, or Chiro is NOT going to help.
The only time that the spinal bones can break easily, is if there is a disease of the bones. These diseases include osteoporosis and a few other conditions. These diseases of the back would be treated by a specialist doctor, NOT an Osteopath, Physio, or Chiro.