Being an osteopath, I’m usually the one helping others understand their bodies and alleviate pain. But recently, the tables turned—I found myself on the other side of the treatment room, as a patient. It was an eye-opening experience that reminded me just how different things feel when you’re the one lying on the treatment table. Despite experience treating others, I found myself making some of the same ‘patient mistakes’ I’ve seen in my own clinic at Thrive Body Clinic. I hope sharing my experience helps you feel more comfortable and understood during your own visits.

1. Apologising for Your Condition

When I walked into my osteopath’s clinic, I found myself immediately apologising—“Sorry I haven’t been stretching enough,” “Sorry my shoulder is such a mess,” “Sorry I’m bothering you with this.” I know from years of experience that patients often apologise for their bodies or symptoms, feeling guilty for being injured, out of shape, or not taking better care of themselves.

Here’s the thing: your osteopath doesn’t mind any of these things. If you’ve come in for treatment, it means your pain or issue is significant enough to warrant help. And that’s exactly what we’re here to provide! Our primary goal is to get to the root of your issue and work with you to address it. So, don’t feel bad about your condition—whether it’s a stiff back from too much sitting or a recurring injury from sports, you’re here to get better, and we’re here to help.

2. Forgetting Important Details

Despite being an osteopath myself, I found it surprisingly difficult to recall details about my own health history when asked. “Have you injured your ankle before?” I paused, trying to remember. “No… oh wait, yes, I’ve twisted this one at least twice before!” I also remembered a broken bone halfway through the appointment.

Forgetting these kinds of details is common and nothing to worry about. It’s why osteopaths ask lots of questions, sometimes in different ways, to piece together the full picture of your health. We know that memory can be tricky, especially when you’re focused on your current symptoms or feeling a bit anxious about the appointment. So, if you don’t remember everything right away, that’s fine! We’ll keep asking and adjusting until we have a complete understanding of your health history and current condition.

3. Directions Can Be Confusing

As an osteopath, I sometimes get my left and right mixed up when mirroring a patient during treatment. I’ve seen patients do the same when I’m instructing them to “turn left” or “lie on your right side.” It turns out I’m no better when the roles are reversed! I found myself hesitating when my osteopath gave me directions, getting my left and right confused more than once.

It’s even harder if you have something like dyslexia, which can make spatial instructions a bit muddled. But here’s the good news: your osteopath doesn’t mind. In fact, we often treat both sides of the body for balance and to rule out any compensatory issues. So if you mix up your directions, don’t stress—we’ll get there in the end.

4. Relaxing Is Harder Than It Sounds

One of the most important aspects of osteopathic treatment is relaxation. Many techniques depend on the patient being able to relax so we can accurately assess and treat the affected areas. As an osteopath, I spend a lot of time encouraging patients to relax, breathe, and trust the process. But when I was the patient, it was a whole different story.

It’s not easy to relax when you’re in an unfamiliar room, with someone you don’t know very well, and you’re partially undressed. Even though I know the process inside out, I found it difficult to let go of the tension in my body. This experience made me even more empathetic towards my patients—relaxing isn’t always as easy as it sounds!

At Thrive Body Clinic, I strive to create a comfortable and supportive environment for all my patients. I explain every step of the treatment, so you know exactly what to expect, and I encourage open communication throughout the session. If you’re struggling to relax, don’t worry—we’ll work through it together.

Communication Is Key

Ultimately, the most important part of any osteopathic appointment is communication. As your osteopath, I need to ensure that you’re fully informed throughout the session and that I understand everything you’ve told or shown me. Whether it’s your first visit or your fiftieth, you should feel confident and comfortable expressing your concerns and asking questions.

If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. If you’re not sure why I’m asking certain questions or performing a particular technique, just ask. The more we communicate, the better I can tailor your treatment to your specific needs.

A New Perspective on Being a Patient

Being a patient reminded me of the vulnerability and uncertainty that often come with seeking treatment. It’s easy to feel self-conscious, forget important information, or get confused by instructions. But that’s okay—these things are part of the process, and your osteopath is there to guide you through them.

If you’re new to osteopathy or just feeling a bit unsure about your next appointment, remember that we’ve all been there, even those of us on the other side of the treatment couch. My recent experience as a patient has reinforced my commitment to creating a supportive, empathetic environment for everyone who walks through the doors of Thrive Body Clinic.

So, the next time you come in for a treatment, know that I understand what it’s like to be in your position. Together, we’ll work towards relieving your pain and improving your health, one step at a time. I look forward to partnering with you on your journey to recovery and helping you get back to living life to the fullest.