One of the main purposes of osteopathy is pain relief. Osteopathy helps people of all ages who suffer from pain, tackling complaints ranging from sports and work-related injuries to arthritis and sciatica. The osteopath’s role is to alleviate pain and improve the patient’s mobility in order to make life more comfortable.

What is Osteopathy?
• Osteopathy recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from
abnormalities in our body’s structure and function.
• Osteopaths diagnose and treat problems with muscles, ligaments, nerves and joints to
help the body’s natural healing ability.
• Treatment involves gentle, manual techniques - easing pain, reducing swelling and improving mobility.
• Osteopathy does not involve the use of drugs or surgery.

What is pain?
Pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong. It is often caused by swelling of tissue, which creates pressure on nerves and leads to discomfort. Pain is a useful mechanism to alert you to a problem, and stops you from damaging your body further. It should always, therefore, be taken seriously.

Pain can affect many areas of the body, but particularly the lower back, head, neck, joints and legs. It can result from injuries and arthritis, and can also manifest itself in the form of rheumatic pain and period pain.

Osteopathy and the treatment of pain
Osteopaths can diagnose the cause of pain and help to ease it by reducing tissue
inflammation.

Treatment methods range from massage of muscles and connective tissues to manipulation and stretching of joints. This helps to reduce muscle spasm, to increase mobility and to create a healthier state in which damaged tissues can heal.

Much long-term, recurrent pain is caused by degenerative changes to the body’s framework. Nobody can reverse this process of ageing, but osteopathic treatment may still ease pain. Pain control is an important part of treatment and osteopaths give guidance on simple self-help methods to use at home.

The skilled techniques of osteopathy can often allow you a speedy return to normal activity. If you have had a pain for a long time, and other forms of treatment have not helped, osteopathic treatment can be beneficial, although it may require time and patience.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER…

• Osteopaths are skilled health care professionals.
• Osteopaths deal with pain every day.
• Osteopaths can help you with treatment and advice on self help.
• Osteopaths treat acute and chronic pain.
• Osteopaths can help prevent pain from recurring.

Visiting an osteopath
On your first visit, and before examination begins, the osteopath will discuss and record your medical history in detail. You will then normally be asked to remove some of your clothing so that a series of observations and biomechanical assessments can be performed.

The osteopath will then apply a highly developed sense of touch to identify points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. Further investigations may include an xray or blood test. This will allow a full diagnosis of the problem and will enable the osteopath to tailor a treatment plan to your needs.

Your osteopath should make you feel at ease and tell you what is happening throughout your consultation. You should ask questions if you have any concerns.

Further information
This leaflet is one of a series of information leaflets for the public.

• Osteopathy: Babies and children
• Osteopathy: Back Pain
• Osteopathy: Driving
• Osteopathy: Pregnancy
• Osteopathy: Sports
• Osteopathy: Work Strain

Address:

Osteopathy & Podiatry Centre
583 Orchard Rd
#06-03 Forum (office block)
Singapore 238884

Opening Times:

Closed Sundays and public holidays.

Appointments can be arranged outside clinic hours.

Please give us a call at

6734 4236

or Fax at

6734 4237

to arrange an appointment!
Appointments are arranged on an half-hourly basis.

Fees:

Osteopathy:

Podiatry: