How many osteopathic sessions do I need

An osteopath will be able to gain a good insight into your problem and the work needed to improve it within the initial consultation and will usually give you some guidance as to how many sessions you will need. This first appointment will normally be slightly longer than subsequent treatment sessions, possibly lasting an hour or more. During this first meeting, an osteopath will ask a patient detailed questions about their medical history and any other conditions relating to the problem before carrying out a physical examination. During the physical examination, an osteopath will ask you to carry out various movements so they can assess your posture and ease of movement as well as palpate your joints and ligaments to highlight any weaknesses.

Many osteopaths will be able to successfully treat a recent or acute injury within just one to three sessions. However, older problems or chronic pain is likely to take a little longer to improve and could see a patient completing up to six or more sessions before receiving the full benefits of the treatment. Often when a problem is resolved, a patient will book in for occasional maintenance treatments to help keep them pain and problem free and all osteopaths recommend various strengthening exercises in conjunction with any treatment plan to improve core muscles and aid recovery and healing. Periodic treatment can help to optimise ongoing recovery and protect what has been achieved through initial treatment as well as stop new problems from occurring but not every patient takes this approach and some will wait until the pain returns before making a return visit.

Research has shown that patients who commit themselves to rehabilitation exercises in addition to an osteopathic treatment plan experience a much quicker recovery than those who do not. It’s important that a patient only carries out the strengthening exercises recommended by their osteopath to avoid undoing any of the good work they’ve achieved or exacerbating the problem further.

One person’s back pain might be resolved more speedily than another person suffering the same problem as healing depends on a host of factors including age and general health and wellbeing. However, most patients experience noticeable improvements after two to three sessions and many after just their first introduction to osteopathy.