Sam McCarthy

Osteopaths take an integrated approach to health care. As part of an initial consultation... Osteopaths take an integrated approach to health care. As part of an initial consultation Sam gathers information from you to help accurately understand your complaint and then work to provide you with the most suitable treatment. Firstly, Sam will ask you for a comprehensive history of your current complaint. Then he will ask about your medical history, including questions about previous surgery and illnesses, family history, medications and lifestyle. After he has understood the details of your complaint and your medical and health history, he will need to do a physical examination. Osteopaths do careful and skilled examination by touch, picking up details that help determine areas of sensitivity, inflammation, joint restriction, muscular tightness and other tissue changes that may be relevant to your complaint. Assessing how your well body moves both actively and passively also gives important information. Sam’s detailed examination will involve looking closely at the affected region and then assessing it in the context of the rest of your body. Any important functional tests will also be performed, such as neurological and cardiovascular assessments. After the examination, Sam will have a good idea as to what has happened and will discuss with you how best to address the issue. Occasionally the next step will be a referral for diagnostic images (ultrasound, x-ray or MRI scans) or a visit to your GP or another health care professional, but in most cases, with your consent, he will be able to start osteopathic care so you can start feeling better. Read more

After your initial consultation, Sam’s treatment approach begins with diagnosis and education.... After your initial consultation, Sam’s treatment approach begins with diagnosis and education. A treatment plan is then established with an approximate timeline for positive outcomes to be achieved. How does an osteopath treat my condition? Osteopathic treatment involves manual techniques including soft tissue stretching and massage, resisted muscle contractions, nerve mobilisation, therapeutic needling (acupuncture), joint articulation and manipulation. The treatment is gentle and conducted with your assistance. Because osteopaths look at the ‘whole’ picture of human functioning, they also use a variety of approaches which acknowledge the many factors contributing to balance and health. Sam may therefore provide advice on diet, exercise, posture and other aspects of daily life. This comprehensive approach to management will help you to achieve the highest possible level of health and wellness. Does osteopathic treatment hurt? As a general rule, osteopathic manual therapy should not hurt and we do our best to ensure that you are comfortable throughout treatment. Occasionally, some techniques used can feel awkward or unusual but they should not hurt. How will I feel after treatment? This depends entirely on the nature of your complaint. Some people feel immediate relief, while others may need a long course of treatment before significant improvement is achieved. While it is rare for you to feel worse after treatment, occasionally you may be more aware of your symptoms for a short time. This is usually due to the release of chemicals that make nerve endings very sensitive and is a normal response that will resolve within a day or two. Sam always encourages his patients to take ownership of their recovery in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Read more