Osteopathy itself is not inherently painful. Osteopathic treatment typically involves manual techniques such as stretching, massage, and manipulation of muscles and joints to improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote overall health. While some individuals may experience temporary discomfort or soreness during or after treatment, particularly if they have underlying musculoskeletal issues, the goal of osteopathy is to alleviate pain and improve well-being in the long run. It's essential to communicate with your osteopath about any discomfort you may experience during treatment so they can adjust their techniques accordingly.
Your osteopath will warn you if they think that the technique that they are about to use is likely to be uncomfortable, and will stop if you tell them that you are feeling too much pain.
Following treatment, about half of patients report some mild soreness in the area of their body that was treated, this can usually be relieved with an over the counter painkiller and will go away within 48 hours. If you experience serious or unusual symptoms after treatment, you should contact your osteopath straight away for advice.