What to Expect When You See an Osteopath in Essendon for the First Time
If you’ve never been to an osteopath before, you might have a few questions.
- What actually happens during an appointment?
- Do you need a referral?
- Will you be treated straight away?
- Do you need to bring anything with you?
- And what should you wear?
If you’re looking for an osteopath in Essendon for the first time, knowing what to expect can make the whole process feel much more straightforward.
At Lifespan Osteopathy, we see people from Essendon and surrounding suburbs including Moonee Ponds, Strathmore, Niddrie, Pascoe Vale, Essendon North and Brunswick West.
People come to us with a wide range of concerns, from back and neck pain through to headaches, sports injuries, pregnancy-related aches and pains, and children’s health.
But while every appointment is different, there are some common steps you can expect.
Do I need a referral to see an osteopath?
No.
In Australia, osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners, so you don’t generally need a referral from your GP to make an appointment.
Of course, there are situations where your GP or another healthcare professional may be involved in your care, particularly if your symptoms need further investigation or assessment.
What happens at your first osteopathy appointment?
Your first appointment generally starts with a conversation.
Before any treatment, your osteopath will ask questions about what has brought you in, how your symptoms started and what activities or situations tend to make them better or worse.
You may also be asked about:
- Your general health and medical history
- Previous injuries or conditions
- Your work and daily activities
- Exercise and sporting activities
- Sleep
- Any medications or other relevant healthcare
- What you would like to achieve from treatment
This part of the appointment is important because the location of your symptoms doesn’t always tell the whole story.
For example, someone experiencing shoulder pain may also have changes in their neck, upper back, work setup, training routine or sleep that are relevant to the bigger picture.
Will I need an examination?
Your osteopath will usually perform an examination based on your symptoms and medical history.
This may include looking at your movement, strength, joint mobility and other relevant physical signs. Orthopaedic or neurological testing may also be used when appropriate.
The examination isn’t about finding one perfect posture or identifying one muscle that is supposedly responsible for everything.
Instead, it’s about gathering information that can help your osteopath understand your presentation and decide what approach is appropriate.
If further investigation is needed, your osteopath may also recommend that you see your GP or another healthcare professional, or discuss whether imaging may be appropriate.
Will I be treated during my first appointment?
In many cases, treatment can begin during the initial consultation.
The type of treatment depends on your individual presentation and preferences.
Osteopathic care can include hands-on techniques, movement or exercise advice, education and strategies to help you manage your symptoms between appointments.
Some people may receive hands-on treatment during their first visit, while for others, education, exercise or further investigation may be a more appropriate starting point.
At Lifespan Osteopathy, we don’t believe there is one treatment approach that suits everyone.
Do I need to get undressed?
It depends on what you’re coming in for.
Your osteopath may need to see and assess certain areas of your body, so you may be asked to remove some layers of clothing.
However, you should always feel comfortable communicating with your practitioner about what you are and aren’t comfortable with.
At Lifespan Osteopathy, gowns are available if required, and your osteopath will explain what they need to assess and why.
If you would prefer to remain fully clothed, let your osteopath know and they can work with you to find an appropriate approach.
What should I wear to an osteopath appointment?
Comfortable clothing that allows you to move is generally a good option.
For example, activewear, shorts, leggings or loose-fitting clothing can make movement assessment easier.
There’s no need to arrive in gym clothes, though. Wear whatever you’re comfortable in.
If you’re coming straight from work, your normal clothing is usually fine.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
You don’t need to bring a long list of things.
However, it can be helpful to know:
- When your symptoms started
- Whether anything triggered them
- What makes them better or worse
- Any previous injuries or relevant health conditions
- What exercise or physical activity you normally do
- Any medications you take
- Any recent scans or reports that are relevant to your current problem
If you have imaging or reports that you think may be useful, bring them along.
What happens after the examination and treatment?
Your osteopath should explain what they’ve found and discuss what they recommend doing next.
This may include treatment, exercises, changes to certain activities, advice about managing symptoms, or simply monitoring how things progress.
At Lifespan Osteopathy, our initial consultations include a discussion of your symptoms and history, an examination where appropriate, treatment when indicated, and a personalised management plan.
You may also receive exercises or other self-management strategies to use at home.
How many osteopathy appointments will I need?
There’s no set number of appointments that applies to everyone.
It depends on factors such as what you’re experiencing, how long you’ve had the problem, your goals, your general health and how you respond to management.
Some people may only need a small number of appointments and then continue managing their condition independently.
Others may benefit from ongoing support, particularly when returning to sport, managing a recurring problem or working through a longer-term rehabilitation program.
A good plan should be reviewed as you progress rather than automatically continuing treatment without a clear reason.
What can an osteopath help with?
Osteopaths work with a wide range of musculoskeletal presentations.
At our Essendon clinic, people commonly seek help for concerns such as:
- Lower back pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Headaches
- Sports and running injuries
- Joint and muscle pain
- Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal discomfort
- Postnatal concerns
- Children’s musculoskeletal complaints
- Exercise and rehabilitation
However, not every problem is necessarily appropriate for osteopathic care.
If your symptoms suggest you need medical assessment or another type of healthcare, your osteopath can recommend that you see the appropriate practitioner.
Looking for an osteopath in Essendon?
If you’re looking for an osteopath in Essendon and you’ve never been before, you don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong before making an appointment.
That’s part of what the initial consultation is for.
At Lifespan Osteopathy, we’re located at 73A Napier Street, Essendon, directly across from Windy Hill.
We’re a local clinic treating people from Essendon and surrounding suburbs, with practitioners who work with adults, children, babies, pregnant women, postnatal women and people of all activity levels.
Our aim is to give you a clear understanding of what’s going on, what we can help with and what your next steps might be.
If you’d like to find out whether osteopathy may be appropriate for your particular concern, you can book an initial consultation with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GP referral to see an osteopath?
No. In Australia, you can generally make an appointment with an osteopath without a GP referral.
How long is an osteopathy appointment?
Appointment length can vary depending on the practitioner and type of consultation. Check with the clinic when booking if you’re unsure which appointment to choose.
Can I see an osteopath if I don’t know what’s causing my pain?
Yes. Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms is an important part of the initial consultation.
Can I see an osteopath if I’ve already seen my GP?
Yes. Osteopathy can form part of a broader approach to managing musculoskeletal problems. Your osteopath can also work alongside your GP or other healthcare professionals where appropriate.
Is osteopathy only for back pain?
No. Osteopaths work with many different musculoskeletal presentations, including neck and shoulder pain, headaches, sports injuries, joint pain and pregnancy-related musculoskeletal concerns.
Seeing an Osteopath for the First Time
Seeing an osteopath for the first time doesn’t need to be complicated.
Your initial appointment is an opportunity to talk through what’s been happening, understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and work out an approach that makes sense for you.
Whether you’re dealing with a new injury, an ongoing problem or simply aren’t sure whether osteopathy is right for you, you don’t need to have all the answers before you walk through the door.
At Lifespan Osteopathy, we’re proud to be part of the Essendon community and to care for people at all stages of life. If you’d like to discuss your particular concern, our team is here to help you understand your options and decide on the next step.