What to Expect when visiting the Osteopath

Your First Consultation

Typically, osteopathy is a patient-centred form of healthcare. This means that it focuses on your body as a whole. During your first consultation, your osteopath will spend some time listening to your health concern and asking you questions about your health and lifestyle. The information you provide will be recorded in your case notes.

Your Physical Examination

Following your medical history, your osteopath will examine your body.

The Osteopath may ask you to undress to your underwear. It is essential that you feel comfortable, so you may want to bring a pair of stretchy shorts and or loose fitting top to change into.

This will enable them to examine you without making you feel uncomfortable and that female patients must for this reason be accompanied by a person of their choice to act as chaperone.

During your examination, your osteopath may ask you to perform simple movements so that they can observe your posture and mobility. They may also examine your joints using their hands and a highly developed sense of touch known as palpation.

Even though you would have signed a general consent form at the start of the consultation, you will have the opportunity to consider and consent (or not) to specific treatment in the consultation.

Your Osteopathic Treatment

Following your examination, your osteopath will explain their findings and discuss a suitable treatment plan, which may include osteopathic manipulation. Treatment is discussed with visual aids (diagrams and spinal models) to ensure informed consent.Osteopathy is a system of treatment designed to restore your body’s normal functioning. There are several different types of osteopathic techniques, including:

  • Soft tissue techniques, which apply pressure to the muscles around your spine.
  • Muscle energy techniques, which require you to use your muscles to counter the forces applied by your osteopath.
  • Thrust techniques, which use high velocity forces to restore motion to your joints.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No. You can make an appointment directly with an osteopath, without a referral. Osteopaths are trained to diagnose and treat.

Fees to expect when visiting an Osteopath

We offer very competitive rates.

  • The initial consultation consists of detailed case history to help identify the cause of your problems.
  • A thorough examination will include a physical, orthopaedic, neurological, postural analysis, and osteopathic examination to determine how you can best be helped
  • Appropriate osteopathic treatment
  • If osteopathic care is not suitable for your condition you may be referred to another health professional if one is known.

Subsequent consultation

  • Progress report and treatment
  • Advice regarding work and leisure activities will be reviewed to ensure advice has been followed correctly
  • Exercises will be introduced when appropriate. Each patient is however responsible for the execution of their own exercise.
  • Any questions will be answered

Payment methods – Cash or EFT.

Medical aid may covers a visit to an Osteopath.

Osteopathy is a recognised modality in South Africa and in many other countries.

Please contact your Medical Aid provider to ensure that Osteopathy is covered in your Medical Aid plan. The majority of medical aid companies cover Osteopathic treatment.

The patient will be required to make payment on the day of the consultation and an invoice will be made out which can be sent to the medical aid for reimbursement.