osteopathy

Elan

A relative is suffering with a bad leg and I am thinking of getting an oesteopath to see her, but I have no clue where to start. I live in London and wanted to know of others expierences with Osteopaths, were they reliable? Did they help? What about the cost?

Toothsmith

Has the person seen a Dr?

'Bad leg' covers a multitude of possible problems. Osteopathy would be good for some, no help in others, and possibly even bad for one or two (The osteopath should tell you f he can't help, but you'll probably be an examination charge down for that!)

Some Drs ar quite anti-osteopathy, seeing it as a bit 'fringe' - but most will tell you if they feel it would help.

rms1

If the the problem is coming from the back, I would recommend a Chiropractor every time. I won't bore you with my long history but my Chiro has been a life saver for me over the years.

ellay864

I had problems with my arms that originated from my back. I was seeing a physio for what seemed like basic tennis elbow but she was the one who made the connection with postural issues and treated my back but sorted my arms out that way. She also recommended pilates which has helped too. It really does depend on what the leg pain is - something like sciatica is very much down to the back. I wou;dn't just go straight to the osteopath without finding out a bit more about the pain, and also you won't then be paying out fees for nothing. You can get some treatments on the NHS but you'd need a GP referral anyway

Elan

Thanks guys. She says her leg is in pain and swollen and that the GP said she has 'worn out cartilage in the knee' and that if she wanted, they could do an operation to fix it. However she's never done too good with this new doctors surgery that we have and is looking for a new surgey anyway--and with it another opinioun I suppose. In the meantime I thought about looking at osteopathy for her, I noticed a lot of comments to do with physio and chiro that mentioned the back, is it only when the cause of the pain is the back that an osteopath can help?

ellay864 wrote: »

I wou;dn't just go straight to the osteopath without finding out a bit more about the pain, and also you won't then be paying out fees for nothing. You can get some treatments on the NHS but you'd need a GP referral anyway

If a GP refers you to an Osteopath do you still have to pay fees or not? And can you ask for that referral, even to be referred to a certain osteopath?

welshdent

I am not sure you could get a GP referral to an osteopath? Its not viewed as the norm by many. Personally I find it very beneficial for many of my rugby knocks but my better half is a physio and loathes me going!! Also I am not aware of any osteopaths being within the NHS system in the first place. All the ones I know of are independent practitioners. With that in mind I should imagine you would need to pay for their time and any provided treatments.

If its worn or torn meniscus then a physio may be able to do something with a plan of exercise? I have a torn meniscus from rugby and I do "VMO" exercises advised to me by the better half. That said I do not get pain or swelling so it may just be that its gone a little too far now?

Mojisola

You will have to pay for treatment. It's not available under the NHS.

I have seen a Cranial Osteopath for a variety of problems and have had good results with her. They deal with a lot more than bad backs.

Therapists vary in their quality just as you can get a bad GP and a good GP. If you can get a recommendation, it would be best.

rms1

Mojisola wrote: »

You will have to pay for treatment. It's not available under the NHS.

I have seen a Cranial Osteopath for a variety of problems and have had good results with her. They deal with a lot more than bad backs.

Therapists vary in their quality just as you can get a bad GP and a good GP. If you can get a recommendation, it would be best.

Not so in all areas. I got 18 chiropractic treatments (3 x 6 sessions) on the NHS in the Manchester area

Mojisola

rms1 wrote: »

Not so in all areas. I got 18 chiropractic treatments (3 x 6 sessions) on the NHS in the Manchester area

You must have some enlightened people in the NHS in Manchester! I hope their ideas are going to spread to other areas.