Summary
- Osteopathy was founded in 1874 and moved into Nz around the 1930s
- TLC osteopaths have studied for 5 years, have research backgrounds, and are qualified to a masters level
- Treatment involves a range of techniques that are not always unique to osteopathy but are applied with an osteopathic mindset
- We are ACC registered and work closely with specialists and other health care providers - We have an informative video in our 'meet the team' section
A brief background
Osteopathic techniques are based on an ideology created by Andrew Taylor Still in 1874 USA. Mr Still founded osteopathy of the back of shortcomings present in the usual medical care system (Doctors back then did not wash their hands and surgeries were... rough). Through a series of observations, Mr Still summarised that humans were able to heal themselves of most diseases without undertaking risky surgeries or bizarre medicine (think bloodletting to ease headaches and fever). If, however, somebody was not able to heal, it was due to a blockage of sorts within one of their bodily systems (namely blood flow) and osteopaths could find and treat these blockages to allow for natural healing.
Fast forward a few decades and we now see Mr Still was very right and very wrong about a lot of things. Some conditions are still best treated with osteopathy - such as headaches. Whilst others are far better treated by the now safer modern medicine (Appendicitis or Parkinsons). His thoughts on how the body worked (and therefore how to heal it) also seem to have stood the test of time, although modern research has added much to our understanding.
What do Osteopaths do now?
Osteopaths now mostly treat painful conditions. Such as headaches, arthritis, sports injuries, back pain or achy muscles. At TLC we also aid a lot of pregnancy and baby-related complaints - such as creating space for babies inside the womb and helping them and their parents adjust to their new worlds. We have written about this here and here. There aren't many techniques that are 'special' to osteopathy now too. All therapists (osteo, physio, chiro etc) use techniques from across the board - such as manipulation, gentle release, craniosacral, myofascial release, exercises and in some cases acupuncture (read more here). We are also all reading the same or similar research and attend the same or similar training events.
Osteopathy is now more of a mindset to which these techniques are applied. More specifically, we try to stay open-minded about our patients' pain, we avoid putting them in diagnostic boxes with routine treatments. We try to understand them fully as a person and how their daily physical and emotional stressors contribute to their pain and what we can subsequently do to help them. Osteopaths have classically always taken a holistic view on health and much of our skill set is derived from our ability to palpate/feel and correct the tension patterns within our patient's.
Lastly, TLC osteopaths have studied for 5 years, have research backgrounds, and are qualified to a masters level. All our osteopaths have a minimum of 5 years of clinical experience and regularly attend training seminars to keep up to date.
What happens during my appointment?
This depends on each case. But generally speaking, you arrive having filled in our paperwork digitally. We then sit in our clean modern offices and discuss your complaint. We try to make this patient-led by asking open-ended questions that let you tell your story without interruption. We then ask follow up questions to make sure we have all the information we need before examining you.
The exam is also unique to each person, but it generally involves us viewing the area of pain directly and asking you to perform basic tasks to see how your body moves in relation to your pain. These are as simple as leaning forward, turning your neck or standing on one foot.
It is not unusual to have, for example, your feet hips and shoulders examined in relation to neck pain. From there, we use simple terms to describe what seems to be going on and what we will try to achieve within the day's session and what you need to be doing at home. If required, we can then send you for X-rays, urgent care or specialist care
Payment, insurance, bookings etc
We are an ACC registered practice. We can lodge and manage your claim entirely, so there is no need for a Gp referral. We also work with most other insurance providers, including Southern Cross. We encourage online bookings, however, you are welcome to contact us by phone - these details are at the top of this page. Our prices are $90 for all private sessions and $60for ACC appointments. Your personal insurance may cover part of or all of these costs - please check first. Payment is in the form of cash or EFTPOS. We do not currently take credit. Please refer to our booking system for the most up to date prices. The prices listed here may age with this blog post!
Finally,
This blog should cover most of your questions, but if you would like anything further please contact us via whichever means suit you best. Our details are at the top and bottom of this page. We hope to see you soon!
Written by Darryl Jenkins (Fact and spell checked by Tessa and Jess)
TLC osteopaths
Hamilton Nz
Www.TLCosteopaths.nz
Darryl Jenkins is a friendly Hamilton osteopath and co-owner of TLC Osteopaths. His formal qualifications include a undergraduate certificate in Exercise science from Wintec, a degree in Human Biology from Unitec, and a master's degree in osteopathy from Unitec, where he also completed his thesis on human movement assessment. He also holds a postgraduate certificate in acupuncture from AUT which means he practices osteopathy and acupuncture. He would like to be pursuing the postgraduate certificate in Pain Science at Otago Uni (awaiting spouse approval).