If you have already scheduled a osteopathy session or are thinking about doing it, I leave you with a series of recommendations to be better prepared and know what to expect at the end of the session.
Before
Each osteopath works differently. Some prefer that the patient remain in underwear during the session as it facilitates contact with the tissue and allows you to see more clearly the areas that may present some alteration (compressed, uneven, swollen areas, etc). Others, we prioritize the patient’s comfort and we observe / palpate with the clothes on. Both options are valid. The ideal for the last case is to wear a short or shod (not too tight) and a loose shirt. Always wear clothes that are comfortable so that you are not pending in the session of what you have on.
During the session the whole body will be mobilized. This includes, to a greater or lesser extent, the abdominal organs (stomach, intestines, etc.). Therefore, I recommend that you do not eat or drink too much liquid at least one or two hours before the session.
After
It is normal to feel tired after the osteopathic session. Yawning five times in a few seconds is common. Feeling “in another world” or “like a zombie” (said by some of my patients) is completely normal. It is an effect of relaxation and physical work done. Nothing very different from what one can feel after running for a while in the park or doing some physical activity. Be careful, the feeling does not indicate if the session was good or bad. Each person has a different metabolism and reacts differently to stimuli and work.
In both scenarios, the best you can do after the session is nothing. Get home and rest. If you can not sleep, read a book or do something to help you relax. It is important, after working with the body, to have a moment so that everything elaborated and mobilized in the session is settled.
Another point to take into account is the personal care. That day eat light, avoid the digestive system have to spend too much energy to digest food either by the abundance or by the heaviness of food (fat, sugar, etc). Drink plenty of liquid and preferably water, as this way you clean your body better.
Avoid sports or demanding activities in the next 48 hours. The work and adjustments made during the session will continue to operate a few days later. Give the possibility to that work to continue its course so that the fruits of the session settle even more.
For the next
Patient feedback is very important for the osteopath. In the time between one session and another, it remained attentive to the changes you may feel in your body, in your mood, the quality of your sleep, your energy, your digestion, etc. Write down if you are afraid to forget. And communicate before the next session.
I hope you find the information useful. If you have more doubts regarding the osteopathy session or osteopathy in general, do not hesitate to consult Spinewise.