What’s an osteopathy session like?

The treatment is gentle, pleasant, never painful and always adapted to the characteristics and needs of each patient.

During a first visit we conduct a thorough interview with the patient to get to know the person in front of us well. Then we perform a physical and biomechanical examination, in which some biomechanical adjustments are made as mobility restrictions are identified. We also check whether these mobility restrictions are related to the visceral or cranio-sacral sphere.

Finally, we carry out a review to evaluate the changes in the overall sructure as well as the improvement achieved in specific areas, in order to conduct an adequate follow-up.

Osteopathic adjustments can be made with many different techniques:

Vertebral manipulations: perhaps the most striking or well-known technique in osteopathy. It consists of applying direct or indirect energy to a vertebra in order to restore ease of movement or “relocate” it in its environment. This adjustment may produce a “cracking” sound, which when performed correctly is painless, safe, quick and effective, but is nevertheless not a suitable technique for all patients or injuries.

Myotensive techniques: These are gentle techniques that require the active participation of the patient. They involve using the position of the body as a lever to adjust the joints by harnessing their own muscular energy, alternating phases of contraction-relaxation-stretching.

Biodynamic techniques: Cranio-sacral osteopathy and biodynamics are the mildest techniques. They allow us to come into contact with the vitality of the tissues, which express their dysfunction and self-healing capability in our hands. Some patients think that what is done is a mere “laying on of hands”, but a deep understanding of anatomy and experienced practice make these techniques highly effective.

Visceral manipulations: These involve a set of diverse techniques that allow mobility to be restored to visceral structures and organs. They can improve their vascularization, lymphatic circulation and mechanical relationship with adjacent structures. They are also very useful to boost immunity.

An overall view of the patient:

We cannot neglect the psychological or emotional component at the origin of many body blockages. It is important to consider the cause of any blockages in order to treat them successfully, but at no point does the osteopath act as a psychologist. The somato-emotional approach allows us to release the physical blockage and this often leads to an improvement in the emotional state that caused it.

Recommendations for the patient:

The body is the most precious resource we have, and it accompanies us throughout life. If we take care of it a little, it responds in a wonderful way.

I often recommend doing a few simple exercises that facilitate a faster and sustained recovery. They also prevent a relapse.

Incorporate some light physical activity into your daily routine, and be mindful of your eating habits.

Take care to mantain a correct posture, particularly when bending or lifting.