“You should allow up to an hour for your first visit”
Why do people come to see me?
I see people with a wide range of problems. Usually when there is something that hurts. It could be anything from a sore foot to a headache, but I am not only concerned with the symptoms but with what may underlie them.
Consultation
During your first visit we will discuss not only your current problem but also your general health, lifestyle and past medical history in order to build up a full picture of the factors which may be contributing to your symptoms.
Examination
The consultation will then be followed by a physical examination which may include going through movements, testing neurological integrity, blood pressure, assessing joint and muscle integrity of the site of pain and related sites of the body that are distant from the site of pain or dysfunction but yet are potentially a contributing factor.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Once the relevant information is gathered and the examination complete I will give a diagnosis and explain my findings and how they relate to your symptoms. If treatment is appropriate, then I will explain the available treatments and wait for your consent to treat before commencing. Treatment could include soft tissue techniques working on muscles and fascia, joint mobilisation techniques and sometimes manipulation. Key movements and exercise may also be included as part of the treatment plan.
The aim of treatment is to improve movement of a restricted area, increase blood flow through the region and to manage inflammation of the injured tissues to promote healing.
Further Treatment
Due to the physical nature of the treatment, it is not unusual to sometimes feel sore or stiff in the first 24-48 hours after treatment. I will explain any likely reactions that you could expect. If you have any concerns it is important that you contact me to ask my advice. It may require more than one visit before your problem is resolved. I will review your progress at each subsequent visit and seek your consent to any changes to your treatment plan.
Clothing
On your first visit, and when I may need direct contact with the skin for techniques using manipulation or massage, I may ask you to remove some outer clothing, however this remains entirely at your discretion. Many patients wear or bring comfortable clothing such as shorts, or a vest top or a sports bra for example. Please tell me if you are uncomfortable about dressing down and I can change what I do to accommodate you. You can ask a friend or relative to accompany you during your treatment.