Osteopathy at Sykes and Associates Osteopaths Huddersfield Halifax

Osteopathy at Sykes and Associates

Osteopaths provide treatment for a broad range of health problems associated with the musculo-skeletal system (joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments).

Osteopaths are trained to diagnose and treat the source of pain and/or dysfunction. This is usually due to a complex interaction between muscles, joints and other important structures such as nerves, discs, ligaments and tendons. Traumatic events, everyday stresses and diseases or the aging processes can impact on these structures and how they feel or behave. Osteopaths combine their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and biomechanics with clinical reasoning and experience to determine the cause of pain, and how this can best be addressed.

What to expect

Initially, your osteopath will listen to your description of your problem and take a case history, and will follow with a clinical and physical examination (assessment of muscles and joints and observation of movements). X-rays, scans and other clinical investigations are sometimes used if required. A diagnosis will be suggested and the various treatment options discussed with you. It is important that your osteopath discusses your problem, the management options and the progress that is taking place all the way through your treatment sessions, to ensure nothing is being missed, or other treatment options might be more helpful.

Osteopathic treatment is often relaxing and designed to be calming and therapeutic. The ‘hands-on’ treatment is aimed at alleviating your symptoms (often presenting as pain and discomfort), improvement of mobility and returning you to your normal activities as soon as possible.

A broad spectrum of gentle, non-invasive manual techniques such as deep tissue massage, joint articulation and manipulation is applied therapeutically. Osteopaths use stretching techniques, mobilisation of joints, muscles and ligaments to enhance the function of the associated tissues. Joint manipulation using high velocity thrust techniques are often integral part of osteopathic treatment and are employed to improve joint mobility.

Your osteopath will support ‘hands-on’ treatment with postural and ergonomic advice. During the course of the treatment you will also receive advice on how to minimise the chance of the symptoms reoccuring.

Patients are also given guidance on simple exercises which prolong the effects of the treatment and advice on coping strategies. Advice and guidance about work, hobbies, sport and exercise are important parts of the management of your problem.

FAQ

Is Osteopathy for me?

Osteopathy is for everyone! Osteopaths assess and treat people of any age – adults, babies, children and teenagers and from many walks of life, including pregnant women and sports people.

Osteopathy can help with everyday aches and pains, occupational pain, pain and discomfort due to Arthritis and general wear and tear, sports injuries, problems associated with posture and many more.

We are probably most famous for the treatment of low back and neck pain and the manifestations of stress/tension. However we treat all joints.

The most common conditions we can help and advise upon are:

back and neck pain
shoulder, elbow, arm and wrist problems
arm and hand pain
pelvis, hip, knee and leg problems
foot and ankle problems including the use of orthotics
tension headaches, jaw pain and fibromyalgia
sport related and other everyday injuries
postural advice both for adults and in the developing child
work related pains eg "RSI"
relief from pain caused by Arthritis and Rheumatic conditions and help to improve mobility

Many patients find the global approach of osteopathy helpful in relieving or controlling many other symptoms. If you have any queries about whether we can help you, simply call us on or send an email to info@spine.co.uk

See our poster with conditions we treat

Can I choose which osteopath to see?

Our patients can always choose which of our clinicians they want to see and at any time they can easily change to another osteopath in the practice. By the same token if we feel that patients ought to be referred either to another health professional or to a GP or a consultant, we will always do so. We are quite happy for patients to change osteopaths for any reason and on occassion we might suggest that a patient sees another osteopath ourselves.

In order to have treatment will I need to undress?

In order to allow a full examination and receive treatment, patients often need to undress to their underwear, as is usual for many medical treatments. However it is most important that you feel comfortable and confident during your consultation. You may choose to wear thin shorts or leggings and a thin t-shirt/’strappy top’. We are guided by our patients and will do our utmost to preserve your modesty.

Can I bring a relative or a friend with me?

Yes of course, our aim is to make you as comfortable as possible and if you would like to be accompanied by a relative or a friend you are very welcome to do so. In fact some of our patients do bring an interpreter with them, indeed we require that all dependants under the age of 18 are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Can I stop treatment at any time?

Yes of course, our only aim is to do what is best for our patients and we will never put pressure on you either to continue with treatment or to have any treatment which you might consider unnecessary.

How long will it take and how much will it cost?

The number of visits required is dependant on your condition. However, if there is little or no progress in 3 or 4 treatments, you will be re-assessed and if appropriate, we will cease treatment and you will be referred.

Initial consultation usually lasts for 45 minutes to an hour and subsequent sessions take about ½ hour. It is quite typical for a treatment plan to continue for 4 to 6 treatment sessions, but sometimes recovery is quicker than this, and occasionally a longer term plan is discussed.

At our practice we don’t charge extra for the initial consultation. We believe that you don’t have to be penalised for not seeking our help before.

Our fees are as follows

	Huddersfield
Discounted fee if paid on attendance	£50
Fees on account / paid in arrears	£55
Reduction for full time students	£40

Can I claim on my private medical insurance?

We are registered with all major private health insurers and health plan companies who cover osteopathic treatment with the exception of BUPA who we no longer work with. You may need to check with your provider about your individual entitlement, but most of the time your allowance will cover all the sessions you need.