Has anyone tried osteopathy?

[IamJen]

I had a first visit today, after an astounding lack of success with multiple visits to the "take some drugs" GP. :brood:

I'm wondering if anyone here's used this form of therapy, and whether you had success.

:)

[Diana]

IamJen: I have been going to an osteopath for years. It's very common in Switzerland, and reimbursed by most medical insurance companies (and Swiss insurance companies don't insure things just for the fun of it!! They do it because they know that people who visit osteopaths end up by saving the companies money).

I go for all sorts of problems. Whether it's headaches, backaches, digestive problems, fatigue, etc.

[Hang~Ten~Honey]

My primary is an osteopath and she sucks. I went to her for bloodwork and my fatigue problem and she completely dismissed me. I had blood taken for a complete workup and was only mailed a note saying "everything looks great" with no results, no further explaination on what to do next. I had to call and get my results mailed and wanted to go in to have her explain my levels to me and further options on what could be causing my problems but they kept putting me off saying "Well, you can come in if you want to" ... and then I had the receptionist give me nutition advice (per my primary so she said) to up my protein and lower my carbs (to see if it helped my fatigue). But she has no idea what I eat (I don't eat refined carbs) and giving such random advice to someone who's eating disordered is not wise at all.

So, anyway, I am extremely disappointed, especially in light of all I had heard about osteopathy and how much it can help people. I guess I got a dud. :lol: So I am going to look for a new primary soon.

[bluesand]

Yes Jen I have had treatment by osto's , but i use to go to a cranial osteopath down under ...with very good results . Down under osteopaths can also include in there training craniosacral ......so I don't know if they have them upside where you are . Heres a rave about it here , both for and against
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craniosacral_therapy

Try and find out a good one , ask around , there is a difference in the quality of treatments that they give .

[Diana]

Hang-Ten-Honey: What is a "primary"????

[Hang~Ten~Honey]

A Primary Care Physician (PCP) is your main doctor in an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) insurance plan. It's the dr you must see when you are ill and the dr who authorizes most treatments and gives referrals to see other drs. Since I have an HMO, I had to choose a dr to be my PCP and I must see this dr before I can see anyone else, like a specialist. I dislike HMO's and all of their rules but I can't afford a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan.

[IamJen]

Thanks for the comments. It's a bit different here than in the States, as osteopaths here go to completely separate schools, etc. There's no such thing as a "Doctor of Osteopathy".

I'm still evaluating, as it's supposed to take about 3 treatments before seeing much improvement. After yesterday, I hurt like hell, and even have some bruises. Hopefully, the next go around will be a bit better. :sweat:

[Diana]

IamJen:

I have been to about 10 different osteopaths in my life. Never ever have I hurt afterwards, nor had bruises.

I find this most strange. Osteopaths are usually very gentle and if they DO have to do a more "brutal" kind of action, it can hurt when they do it for that split second, but not afterwards.

I am a bit concerned. Perhaps you should change your osteopath.

Here Osteopaths also go to different schools. I think the studies take up to six years.

[Libellula]

I had a first visit today, after an astounding lack of success with multiple visits to the "take some drugs" GP. :brood:

I'm wondering if anyone here's used this form of therapy, and whether you had success.

:)

growing up, a lot of my doctors were osteopaths. I felt they dismissed a lot... but liked them overall. they were so anti-medication however, that there was a time that i was dismissed by a D.O for asthma (now diagnosed and being treated for).. and almost landed in the ER.

[IamJen]

IamJen:

I have been to about 10 different osteopaths in my life. Never ever have I hurt afterwards, nor had bruises.

I find this most strange. Osteopaths are usually very gentle and if they DO have to do a more "brutal" kind of action, it can hurt when they do it for that split second, but not afterwards.

I am a bit concerned. Perhaps you should change your osteopath.

Here Osteopaths also go to different schools. I think the studies take up to six years.

Hm. They have to go to school awhile here as well...4 years, I think it was. The practitioner I saw is certified and everything. The first day, when I wrote the msg above, it was quite painful to sit/move, anything. I wondered if something was wrong. The 2nd day after was sore/tender and even yet today, it's tender if I touch certain spots. I'm supposed to go back on Monday, so we'll see how it goes then. :worried:

[gaya]

Jen, i think there is a such thing as doctor of osteopathy. that's what the D.O is for if i'm getting it right. D.O.'s can also do residencies like M.D.'s and attend medical school that is similar to M.D.'s but a bit different.

[IamJen]

Yeah. That's how it works in the US. A couple of my former munchkins' parents have been D.O.'s. Here though, the training route is a bit different. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to post my success story. :)

[gaya]

oops. i forgot that you reside in the UK.