Osteopathy in Geneva

During an initial consultation, the osteopath will take a history of your state of health. What is the reason for your consultation? How long have you been suffering? What is your medical history? Have you suffered any trauma? These questions may seem a little far removed from the reason for your consultation, but they are essential to understanding the origin of your pain or discomfort.

The therapist then examines the whole body to detect any blockages and areas of tension (in joints, muscles and sometimes even organs). Then, using gentle techniques such as stretching and mobilization, he or she will release tension and restore mobility.

The therapist is often called upon to work on areas far removed from those of your discomfort, in order to get to the root of your problem. Osteopathy takes a global, functional approach to the human body.

Each session lasts about 1 hour.

Osteopathy acts on :

• Orthopedic disorders: joint and muscle pain, sprains, tendonitis, neck pain, lumbago, back pain, trauma...
• Neurological system: Migraines, neuralgia...
• ENT system: ear infections, sinusitis, vertigo
• Emotional disorders : stressanxiety, sleep disorders insomnia
• Digestive system: Transit problems, constipation, bloating

However, as osteopathy is a preventive approach, it is not necessary to be in pain in order to consult an osteopath. The therapist can control bodily tensions and limit their occurrence in the future.

Osteopathy will not only act on the osteo-articular system but also on :

• Fascias
• Deep and superficial muscles
• The central and peripheral nervous systems
• Arteries and veins
• Cartilage tissue
• Viscera

Pregnancy is a time of upheaval for women and their bodies. Hormonal changes, emotional changes, changes in posture... osteopathy can relieve musculo-articular pain linked to morphological and postural modifications.

There are many reasons for consulting an osteopath: Some common reasons for osteopathic consultations for pregnant women:

• Lumbago: The weight of the baby encourages women to lean forward, putting pressure on the lumbar vertebrae and causing back pain. Osteopathy can help with back pain. After determining the source of your pain, the therapist will work on the ligaments, muscles and joints.
• Sciatica: Compression of the sciatic nerve. In the buttock, the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle. As a result, women experience pain that can be quite intense, in the buttock and sometimes down to the foot.
• Gastric reflux: often at the end of pregnancy, when the baby presses hard on the stomach, the woman experiences acid reflux (rising stomach contents). The osteopath will stimulate certain organs with gentle manipulations to improve their sliding in relation to surrounding structures. This will help relieve digestive disorders. The osteopath can also try to change the baby's position, so that it presses less on the stomach.
• Circulatory problems: During pregnancy, women undergo hormonal changes, and often suffer from water retention and swelling, particularly in the legs. The osteopath will gently release the veins' compression zones and circulate fluids in the body to facilitate venous return.
• Pain in the ribs: As the baby grows, there is less and less room for the organs. The upward compression of the diaphragm and the baby's kicks can cause pain under the ribs.

Osteopathic treatment can be carried out from the very first hours of your child's life. The results are often spectacular, and relief is usually immediate.

When can I consult for my baby?

• In the event of a difficult birth

Childbirth can be a trying time for both mother and baby. Poor intra-uterine posture, long labor, premature baby, use of instruments (suction cups, forceps...) are all difficulties that can lead to blockages or functional imbalances in the newborn.

• In the event of sucking problems, reflux or colic
• In the event of cervical blockage, or difficulty rotating the head
• In case of sleep disorders

During a general examination, the therapist will check the mobility and proper functioning of the infant's bone and muscle system. He will try to eliminate tension and bring relief through gentle manipulation, pressure and mobilization.

In general, the session lasts about 1 hour, and the osteopath may ask for follow-up over several sessions.

It's important to monitor children's growth. Slow or rapid growth, poor posture, falls, intense sporting activity... all these events can lead to musculoskeletal disorders.

Regular check-ups with an osteopath at key periods in a child's growth can help detect and correct any imbalances or temporary pain.

The therapist adapts his or her techniques to the child's age and morphology, identifying and correcting body imbalances, including spinal and postural disorders.

When can I consult for my child?

• Sleep disorders: Sleep is very important for a child's motor and psychological development. Osteopathy can provide solutions to sleep disorders by removing tensions that are bothering the child, so that he or she can enjoy a more peaceful night's sleep.
• Lack of concentration and restlessness: with appropriate cranial techniques, osteopathy can help calm a child and improve concentration.
• Recurrent headaches
• Digestive problems
• ENT disorders (ear infections...) The therapist restores mobility to the body and frees up the affected areas, promoting better drainage into the nasal cavities and improved ventilation. This reduces the risk of recurrence.
• Constipation: Constipation is very common in children. The aim of an osteopathic consultation is to restore your child's bowel movements. The therapist works on the colon and surrounding organs with techniques designed to restore mobility and decongest the colon. The pelvis is also brought back into balance.
• Spinal deformity (scoliosis)
• Bad posture
• Muscle and joint pain
• Growing pains (aching legs, knees, calves, often in the evening or at night). Back pain is common during growth. It's often due to poor posture, intense sporting activity or carrying heavy loads (schoolbags). Osteopaths can prevent and treat back deformities such as scoliosis.

Regular osteopathic treatment is essential for both experienced and novice athletes.

• Prevention: It's important for athletes to receive regular follow-up tailored to their objectives. The osteopath works to release muscular tensions and blockages that could restrict the athlete's activity and prevent him or her from improving performance. The aim is to maintain the body's harmony and balance.
• In case of pain: acute or chronic pain due to injury or shock (fall, muscle strain, tear, elongation, contracture, sprain, major trauma without bone damage).
• Recovery: Optimizing recovery is essential for athletes. The osteopath's primary objective is to shorten recovery time. He will treat any discomfort or pain resulting from your sporting activity. To do this, he or she will act on the organs and viscera in a global way to promote drainage of the body, with the aim of optimizing recovery.

In short, an osteopathic session will help the athlete to :

• Preparing for a test
• Improving performance
• Relieve aches and pains
• Optimizing recovery