Frequently Asked Questions

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body, and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues functioning smoothly together. To an osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body's own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.

Osteopaths' patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children and sports people. Patients seek treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including back pain, repetitive strain injury, changes to posture in pregnancy, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis and sports injuries.

At the first consultation, the osteopath will compile a full case history of your symptoms, as well as asking for information about your lifestyle and diet. The osteopath may also observe you making some simple movements to help them make a diagnosis. You will usually be asked to remove some clothing near the area of the body to be examined. Osteopaths are trained to examine areas of the body using a highly-developed sense of touch, known as palpation, to determine conditions and identify the body's points of weakness or excessive strain. Osteopathy is a 'package' of care that includes skilled mobilising and manipulative techniques, reinforced by guidance on diet and exercise. The osteopath will discuss with you the most appropriate treatment plan, estimating the likely number of sessions needed to treat your condition effectively. If the osteopath thinks that your condition is unlikely to respond to osteopathic treatment, you will be advised about how to seek further care. Osteopaths are skilled in diagnostic techniques and trained to identify when a patient needs to be referred to a GP.

In general, the first treatment lasts about 30 minutes. Your first appointment is usually slightly longer to allow for a full case history to be taken.

Treatment costs vary across the ireland, but typically range from 50 to 70 euro for a 30 minute session.

No. Most patients 'self refer' to an osteopath for treatment. Although referral by a GP is not necessary, patients are encouraged to keep both their GP and osteopath fully informed, so that their medical records are current and complete and the patient receives the best possible care from both healthcare practitioners.

Yes. GPs refer patients to our practice where they believe our intervention would be beneficial. We have a good trustful working relationship with those GPs.

All osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

Undergraduate students follow a four or five-year degree course combining academic and clinical work. Qualification generally takes the form of a bachelor's degree in osteopathy - a BSc(Hons), BOst or BOstMed - or a masters degree in osteopathy (MOst). Many osteopaths continue their studies after graduating. Osteopaths are required to update their training throughout their working lives. They must complete at least 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development per year.

The standards of osteopathic training and practice are maintained and developed by the General Osteopathic Council, the profession's statutory regulator established under the Osteopaths Act 1993.

Physical therapy is an holistic and patient - centred approach focusing on the manual treatment of the soft tissue - muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia. Therapists use highly skilled, hands-on techniques to diagnose, prevent or treat underlying conditions and problems. It is based on health science principles and works alongside other health care practices.

Physical therapy is founded on a tradition which recognises and values the healing properties of touch. It is proven as being very safe, non-invasive and is of course, drug free. Each treatment is individually tailored. The therapist, after carefully noting your history will consider psychological, social and environmental factors in devising a treatment plan and in suggesting appropriate changes to lifestyle, work practice or exercise.

Physical therapy is suitable and effective in both the treatment and prevention of a surprisingly wide range of conditions. Its safety and flexibility mean it is suitable for almost every patient - where it can make a contribution to alleviating pain and discomfort.

Most patients attend physical therapists based on a friend's recommendation, though many are referred directly from GP's or other health professionals.

Conditions treated include, but are not limited to the following:

- Sports injuries
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder problems
- Whiplash
- Stress related conditions
- Tension headaches
- Joint strains
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
- Frozen shoulder
- Fallen arches
- Ankle sprain

Having both osteopathy and physiotherapy professions within the one practice, we are often asked what the difference is between the two and which treatment would be most suitable.

"What is the difference between Osteopathy and Physiotherapy"? and "Which one should I see"?

Though there are now many similarities between osteopathy & physiotherapy, the two professions originated from quite different roots, therefore the greatest difference today is found in the ideology and training.

"In today's private practice the two professions treat pretty much the same problems – equally successfully - albeit with a slightly different approach."

Osteopaths view the body as a unique, interconnected, self-healing system. Osteopathic treatment focuses on correcting disturbances with this system, whether caused (by among many things) muscle weakness/imbalance and/or tension, restricted joint movements, poor posture or working practices. Given that each body is viewed as being unique, treatment is tailored to the individual not the symptom(s). Our osteopath employs thrust techniques (such as manipulation - often referred to by patients as 'cracking' – which, incidentally, is only the release of a slight vacuum that has built up between two surfaces of a joint).

He may also use a heat lamp, and in many cases lifestyle/postural advices, exercises and/or stretches may be given. Physiotherapists concentrate on restoring optimum function and performance to the problem area. As physiotherapy has been an intrinsic part the HSE for many years, the availability of funding has driven research and enabled studies leading to the development of 'treatment protocols' for the treatment of specific problems.

The techniques employed by our physiotherapists vary from soft tissue techniques, such as massage, joint mobilization and passive joint movements (movements initiated and controlled by the physiotherapist), to more extensive rehabilitation exercise programs. Electrotherapy, dry needling and kinesiology taping also can be employed.

That really is down to your personal preference. The aim of treatment is the same, but the style of treatment can be different – however, this can also be true between individuals within the same profession. It is worth noting however, that both professions will vary approach and technique according to the individual and their physique.

But most importantly of all, if you have a problem...

• Do something about it now! It is more important that you see someone (physio or osteopath) rather than see no one at all!
• The benefit of having both professions within the one clinic is that if any of our practitioners think that you would be better treated by a different profession or practitioner, they will recommend this to you.

For more information about osteopathy & physiotherapy we recommend you visit the websites of the respective professions regulatory bodies. Click on the links below.

Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists

General Osteopathic Council