Osteopathy is a manual medicine, preventive and curative that focuses on health. Osteopathy aims to restore posture and function, and maintain balance, harmony and homeostasis throughout the body so that you can live at your fullest health.  It apprehends individuals holistically because the health of an individual depends on the ability of its tissues to function together.

Much like an architect is trying to achieve the best structure for a building to be as strong as it can be and withstand all it needs to; osteopathy believes that “Once optimal body structure is achieved function is at its optimum”. 

Osteopathy is sometimes defined as a science and an art.  Indeed, it is based on the sense of touch and the palpatory capacity of the practitioner. The osteopath develops its sense of touch, as the musician develops his ear or the oenologist his sense of taste.  As such, osteopathy is seen as an art. The osteopath uses his hands to “listen, and feel the human body”.  At the same time, osteopathic palpation is nothing without the anatomical and physiological knowledge of the human body. Osteopathy needs both these scientific components to be effective.

Osteopathy is a magnificent balance between science and art, the essence of which lies in the harmony of the human body.

Osteopathic treatment always aims to restore tissue mobility. Once restrictions are lifted, the reduction of inflammatory stress combined with greater mobility allows the body’s self-healing mechanism to function, thus providing the body with the opportunity to heal itself.

Osteopathy can be used to treat many musculoskeletal problems (bones, muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments).  It is widely used to reduce tension and pain and promote healing in everyone from newborns to the elderly.   Our treatment helps people who have problems relating to their lifestyle whether their symptoms are due to poor posture, repetitive strain or injury either at work or whilst at home.  Osteopathy is extremely beneficial for expectant mothers for the aches and pains that pregnancy can bring.   Common conditions for which people seek osteopathic treatment include:

• Generalised aches and pains
• Acute and Chronic Low back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain (lumbago, stiff neck)
• Herniated disc and pain of nervous origin (sciatica, femoral neuropathy, occipital neuralgia, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome)
• Hip, knee and foot pain (Trochanteric (TFL) syndrome, Patellar tendinosis, Plantar fascitis with or without Achilles spur, Achilles tendinosis)
• Shoulder, elbow and hand pain (Supraspinatous tendinosis, Rotator cuff tendinosis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow/lateral or medial epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Arthritic pain, joint stiffness and pain
• Rheumatic pain
• Muscle spasm
• Minor Sports injuries and tensions, rehabilitation of sports injuries (tears, sprains, tendonitis)
• Pain due to injuries related to working positions (repetitive stress injuries)
• Tension and Cervicogenic headaches (arising from the neck), Migraine prevention
• An osteopathic assessment for prevention and to avoid the accumulation of tensions and trigger pain. (verification of posture and treatment of accumulated tensions and blockages)
• Posture related pain
• Circulatory problems
• Digestion problems
• Fibromyalgia
• Inability to relax

Osteopaths use a broad range of gentle hands-on techniques tailored to suit the needs of each patient, but do not use drugs or surgery.   Techniques include soft tissue manipulation, myofascial release techniques, muscle energy techniques, trigger points and neuromuscular techniques, counterstrain techniques, positional release techniques, mobilisation and harmonic techniques, manipulation techniques, functional techniques, cranial and visceral techniques.   Osteopaths will also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.

You may be asked to undress to your underwear so that we can examine and treat you (towels will be provided to keep you warm).  If you feel more comfortable wearing a swimming suit or short during treatment please wear them or bring them with you.   If you have performed any medical investigation (Blood tests, X-rays, Ultrasound, Scans or MRI) please bring the reports along.

The first appointment will generally last for about 1 hour.  The osteopath will take a full patient history, ask you questions about your general health, medical conditions you may have and medications you may be taking.  If you have performed any medical investigation (Blood tests, X-rays, Ultrasound, Scans or MRI) please bring the reports along.  The information you provide is strictly confidential.

You may be asked to undress to your underwear so that we can examine and treat you (towels will be provided to keep you warm).  If you feel more comfortable wearing a swimming suit or short during treatment please do not hesitate to do so.  The osteopath will observe your posture, look at your painful area, the way your body moves and examine the health of the joints, tissues and ligaments using their hands and a highly developed sense of touch called palpation.  Osteopaths take into consideration the mechanics of your whole body and may examine and treat different parts of the body than the one where you are experiencing pain or discomfort.  For example hand pain may originate from your neck. The osteopath may need to take your blood pressure, and carry out various tests to ascertain the cause of your problem.

After the examination the osteopath will explain their findings and the appropriate course of treatment plan.  You will then be treated with a combination of osteopathic techniques best suited to you and your complaint.  At the end of the treatment, the osteopath may give you some stretches, exercises or other advice.   Sometimes additional investigation may be required and you may be referred back to your doctor.

Follow up appointments when needed; generally last for about 45 minutes.

This is a tricky question to answer since this depends on many factors (how long is the condition present, whether your condition is acute or chronic, past injuries, general health, age, and whether there are many maintaining factors which may slow down the healing process).  As no two people respond to treatment in the same way and people heal at different rates, the osteopath will review your progress at each subsequent visit and seek your consent to any changes to your treatment plan.  Although it is not always possible to give a definitive answer to this question, as a rule of thumb, patients with short lived acute conditions may benefit from one, two or three sessions while longer term chronic conditions will often need six sessions.   Some patients may benefit from ongoing osteopathic maintenance treatment which can range from once a month to every six months.

Usually patients feel an immediate benefit from osteopathic treatment.  However, this will depend on your condition and how long the pain has been present.

A mild reaction to treatment can occur, tense muscles which have been worked on can feel sore (similar to aching muscles after unaccustomed exercise) and if joint inflammation is present treatment can mildly increase the symptoms for a day or two before a marked improvement is noticed.  Patients can feel tired after a treatment session as a deep sense of relaxation occurs, a sure sign that the body has responded, sometimes a patient can feel energised by treatment as they are no longer suffering with tight painful muscles.

It is possible that you might feel a little soreness or some increased stiffness or pain in the first 24-48 hours; this can be aided by using ice packs. Patients can feel tired after a treatment session as a deep sense of relaxation occurs, a sure sign that the body has responded, sometimes a patient can feel energised by treatment as they are no longer suffering with tight painful muscles.

Your osteopath will explain any likely reactions that you could expect. If you have any concerns it is important to contact the osteopath and ask their advice.

It is advised not to do excessive exercise for roughly 48 hours post-treatment, give your body a chance to heal.  You can walk but avoid doing sports, too much housework, gardening, carrying heavy weights.

Yes osteopathic treatment is suitable for all ages.  It is widely used to reduce tension and pain and promote healing in everyone from newborns to the elderly.  Osteopathy is extremely beneficial for expectant mothers for the aches and pains that pregnancy can bring

Yes an adult is required to be present during treatments for children under the age of 16.

An osteopath in the UK has completed a four to five years university study, leading to a Bachelor or a Master of Osteopathy.  This is similar to a medical degree course, with more emphasis on anatomy and musculoskeletal medicine, and less on pharmacology.  Osteopathy is regulated in the UK by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).  Osteopaths are required to update their skills each year through CPD continual professional development. You can be assured that osteopathy is safe and one the most effective forms of manual treatment available.

No you do not need to consult your GP before seeking osteopathic treatment.   Osteopaths are highly competent healthcare professionals, recognised in the UK by the NHS as fully qualified to diagnose and treat independently.  Patients may be referred by their doctor to an osteopath, or may opt to see an osteopath directly.  The British Medical Association’s guidance for general practitioners states that doctors can safely refer patients to osteopaths.  As you don’t need a referral from your doctor to see an osteopath, you will typically be able to see an osteopath quickly.  Over 30,000 people every day visit an osteopath in the UK alone.   If you have performed any medical investigation (Blood tests, X-rays, Ultrasound, Scans or MRI) please bring the reports along.

Fees

Initial appointment (60 minutes) 65€ – Follow up appointment (45 minutes)   55€

Reduced Fees (applicable for children, students)

Initial appointment (45 minutes) 55€ – Follow up appointment (30 minutes)   45€

Home visits are available; please ask us for the fee when booking.

Payment can be made by check or cash, credit cards are not accepted.

Osteopathic treatment is not covered by the social security however most Mutuelles and International Insurances reimburse all or part of the osteopathic treatment by providing a receipt of a recognized practitioner.  We will provide you a receipt upon your request.

A full list of mutuelles companies providing reimbursement for osteopathy can be found at: Registre des Ostéopathe de France (http://www.osteopathie.org/3571-principes-de-remboursement-partenariat-assurances-et-mutuelles.html)

OSTEOPATHIC CLINIC NICE – ROQUEFORT LES PINS 
The clinics of Nice and Roquefort les Pins are open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 20:00 and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 14:00, by appointment only.  Emergencies are usually taken on the same day and home visit are also available.