The initial osteopathic consultation will start with a few questions to understand what has brought you to the practice. In discussing your symptoms, your osteopath will first ensure that osteopathy is the correct therapy for you. Otherwise you may be referred to another health professional for appropriate treatment or for tests or x-rays.

 

Questions will be about your symptoms and also about your medical history (previous surgery, fractures, sprains, illnesses, treatments and so on). There may be some questions about your lifestyle (diet, employment, sports and hobbies) if this is relevant to your visit.

 

Your osteopath may carry out a physical examination and will perform various tests in order to understand the source of your problem.

 

After the examination, she will explain the findings to you and will work with you to prepare a treatment plan and you will be ready to receive your first osteopathic treatment. After the initial consultation, your osteopath will probably suggest a follow up appointment a few days or weeks later.

 

Advice may be given at the end of the osteopathic consultation. This can cover, for instance, exercises to do at home, any sports or exercises you should avoid, and other types of advice according to your symptoms and what the consultation reveals.

Pediatric osteopathy is suggested if your baby is suffering of:

 

- Plagiocephaly (flat head)

- Torticollis

- Difficulties in latching/breastfeeding

- Clubfoot

- Colics

- Reflux

- Difficulties in sleeping

- Concerns about neuro-motor development

 

The Osteopathic pediatric consultation for your baby/infant or child will typically consist of the following:

 

- Family History

- Birth history and details about your pregnancy

- Past Medical History

- Presenting Complaint and parental concern

- Physical Examination

 

Your osteopath will perform a detailed examination to further investigate your presenting complaint and have a general look at your infant/baby's body as a whole.

 

A gentle approach to treatment is always applied to infants and children (Dr. Ambra Perraro will not perform any manipulative techniques on your child). Dr. Ambra Perraro works with gentle technique, visceral osteopathy and cranio-sacral therapy.

If you are pregnant, or planning to, Osteopathy can help your body to be prepared for the change it has to undergo to accommodate the growing fetus.

 

Apart from the obvious physical changes like expansion of the abdominal region, hormonal releases can affect the function of your body's internal systems. As your pregnancy progresses, the extra weight creates a shift in your body's centre of gravity. 

These factors along withe how you use your body day to day may add stress to your body, causing problems like:

- back pain

- sciatica

- shortness of breath

- swelling

- Digestive issues (reflux, constipation)

- Breech baby 

 

Your osteopath will carefully select the most appropriate treatment techniques that the patient is comfortable with and to ensure appropriate positioning to avoid pressure on your growing baby.

 

Dr Ambra Perraro may be able to assist with the co-management of a wide range of pre-and post-natal conditions including:

 

 -Infertility 

- lower back pain and sciatica

- hip pain

- aching legs or feet

- numbness and tingling in the hands.

Numerous studies have shown the many developmental benefits of positive contact as part of baby’s early life.

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Touch is your baby’s first language and infant massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this early nurturing contact.

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Ambra Perraro is a certified IAIM (International association of Infant Massage) instructor and she organizes Infant massage course (5 weeks course), for families and babies.

Each week, parents/caregivers learn strokes for a new part of the body while reviewing strokes from previous classes, so new strokes are learned and previous information is reinforced.