For patients with a particular injury/ complaint, an osteopathic consultation will begin with a detailed discussion about your pain followed by a thorough physical examination to ascertain which spinal and/or peripheral joints and surrounding muscles and other soft tissues may be involved as well as checking for signs of serious conditions that would require referral. Osteopaths use a range of hands-on techniques to help reduce pain, increase joint mobility, relieve muscle tension and enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, encouraging the body’s own healing mechanism to speed up tissue healing time. Advice on lifestyle issues, diet and exercise may also be discussed.