In an age where time is money, people often look for a quick fix. If results aren't achieved today, they move on. Coming to see an osteopath (or physio, or GP) won't always be enough on its own. Patience, perseverance and compliance with the advice given between sessions are essential.
Why between-session work matters
Osteopathic treatment on its own can often be enough. In many cases, however, what you do between treatments is as important as the treatment itself. A couple of examples make this clear.
Neck and upper back pain: a typical plan combines hands-on treatment with stretching of the tight front-chest muscles and strengthening of the weakened upper-back muscles. If those exercises aren't done, the same pattern repeats each week, the post-treatment relief lasts a couple of days, then the original pain returns.
Tennis elbow: treatment is followed by advice to rest the elbow for a few days and apply ice to prevent swelling. Ignore the advice, and the irritation persists, treatment proves ineffective, and recovery stalls.
What osteopathy actually does
Osteopathy doesn't cure the body of disease or pain. It removes the obstacles within the body that are preventing it from healing itself. Compliance with the home plan is a core part of that. The work in clinic opens the door; the work at home walks you through it.