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12.03.2019

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Today (9.04.2019)I went to the Clinic to have my first (boring) appointment. I was thinking about it for a very long time, but I was to lazy to actually go through the 1,5h case history process. Just because I stayed here - in Maidstone for 2 weeks of Easter holidays and because I had a day off today I’ve decided that it is high time for my appointment.
I went there with my back pain, or rather back problem. I was sure, it was just a muscle constriction, so I couldn’t wait for a GOT, soft tissue and efflorage. Just to be relaxed and fall asleep.
Well, it didn’t go as I planned. My back problem isn’t as easy as I thought. With the tutor they were talking about my case for about 20 minutes!! Then, my practitioner, came and asked more questions. He asked about my braces!! I was a bit confused or angry that they were making such a big deal out of my little back problem.
The tutor came in and the practitioner started observation and examination of my back. My case is really much more complicated, so they went out again to discuss findings. When they came again (with the tutor!) the student started treating me.
First, he explained that my back pain may exist because of my horse riding falls, so that my ankle can be affected or (which is so weird) my braces!! At that point, I was very confused, but I didn’t want to argue, so I said “yeah of course”. I know that osteopathy it’s about the body as a unit. Indeed, that was a really osteopathic finding and diagnosis.
The practiotioner started treatment with my ankle and foot. He said that we would focus on that today and the upper part later- if needed. He wants to see how my body works and how I will feel after the treatment.
He will move to my neck and head  if nothing changes after my feet treatment. (But we saw the difference after a bit of treatment).

The tutor was so so nice and I do really like him.  He showed to my practitioner and his friends new techniques and tests they didn’t know or rather they weren’t aware that you can use it according to problem in my case, in testing this part of the body —> feet, ankle. (Gross testing?)
So he helped the practiotioner examining me and then helped him with the treatment. I saw and I felt that he really knew what he was doing. What’s more, he explained me again that my case may be related to food or head and braces. He elaborated on it and I kind of understood it more. Now, I just have to believe them.

My practiotioner said that I would be fine probably and hopefully after two or three appointments, so I just keep my fingers crossed. 😊

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They don’t really care... I mean, I understand it and I don’t really want and need the “help”, meaning lowering couch. It’s difficult to do the treatment and to care about other things. Therefore, it’s observer who see those mistakes or shortcomings (braki). When I was a patient, it’s was the observer who asked me if I wanted a blanket. I don’t remember it well, but maybe during my second appointment Nikolaus asked me about it, but as I said - don’t really remember.

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Aren't we doing the same thing all the time?

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Aren't we doing the same thing all the time?

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We are students, we are lazy, we want to pass our exams. Yet, whenever I am in clinic (either as a patient or observer) I think that everyone does the same. Talks the same, concentrates on the same, asks the same questions, in the same order, does the same tests. Routine. It is good, but I am a bit bored of listening to the same things all the time. My practitioner does similar things during every appointment. They are different, but they are all about the same. I don't know if he is so good that he knows what's the best for me, or is it just a lack of knowledge. Another possibility is also that he feels "safe" with those techniques that "should work".
So by seeing that I want to be better, do more, be more interesiting.

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After almost tne whole year I think I haven't learnt much. It is good that we are revising and revising, but for how long can we do that?
I know I am not the best but...
in techniques we don't revise at all. For me it is the most important lecture, the most practise one for now. Of course we prefer GOT, but just because it is nice and easy. During GOT we do same things houndrets times, while on techniques we learn techniques, practise them during one lecture and that's it.
I am aware that we should practice it at home, but let's face the truth - who does that?

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Too much! If I come to the osteopath I assume I will be contacted by him/her, because how else can they treat my problem.

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During the first term I was observing a forth year student. Her pateint was a woman. From the very beginig I felt that there was something different during the appointment. While the practioitoner and I were waiting for the woman to undress, she (practiotioner) told me that this woman has been coming to the clinic for 7 years. She had many practitioners, but right now she doesn't want anyone apart from the current one.
The patient was a very stubborn person. However, I assumed that she felt very comfortable with the osteopath.
The practitioner advised changing sugar for a honey, but woman quickly replied: "No! I don't like honey. Sugar makes it sweet." Yet, I couldn't feel any stress or tension in the room.

The practitioner was very confident while treating. It was easy to see that she is very familiar with the case. Techniques which she applied were well planned & very adequate. A tutor who came to check her didn't have any objections.
I think it was the best patient & practitioner relation I've ever seen.

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When I was observing Becky, she brought some pictures to show her patient what were they treating. I believe that is a good idea, especially while working on visceral organs.

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Becky... again! But observing her made me think and question so much.
When she was observing her patient form the back, she asked for a consent in a very different way. "Let me give you a hug again" she said. I know it is not the most proffesional way, but with children or with people we are friends with, it is much more natural, than asking very seriously "Is it fine with you if I contack you?".

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I’m in Munich and I went to an osteopath today! To observe!! (He has a very nice practice in one of the best locations in Munich). I found him in the internet so I was scared, even though he was super nice when we were texting.

At first he explained me everything and asked some questions. He told me that 90% of his treatment is cranial osteopathy, which was really interesting for me as I’ve never seen it before. Moreover, he told me that mostly he treats his patients in their clothes, for their comfort. I saw 3 patients and he even allowed me to touch/ treat them. Yet, it was mostly feeling the fluids so I don’t know if I really felt them or I was thinking so much about it that my organism pretended to feel them.

I saw people changing their position while lying - they didn’t move but somehow their position changed - due to the osteopath’s work.

At the end he asked me if I also wanted a treatment. He said that I would surly benefit from feeling on myself things that I have seen while he was treating.

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A week after I’m again in his clinic, this time as a patient. Don’t really know what to expect.

At the beginning he asked me what was my present complaint and what did I want to change. His didn’t go further with questioning me. Hence, I was a bit surprised.

When I laid down on a couch he started feeling my feet, then went to my back and abdomen and he finished scanning with my head. After that he gave me explanation of what he found. His findings were matching perfectly my problems! It’s really surprised me as I didn’t tell him almost anything about my body, but he read everything from cranial technique!!

Next he said plan for the treatment, including the fact that he couldn’t do much as it’s just a one appointment.

He was treating me mostly by his touch that had “different energies and levels”. Many times he put his fingers on my belly and his hand on my back. I think he was kind of bringing my abdomen up, it looked a bit as if he was doing some kind of a magic trick.

At the end he asked me how did I feel and I really felt different in a good way! Cranial does work. He also mentioned that I have to drink a lot of water that day.

After I left I was really tired.

Like really really, I didn’t have power to pay attention to anything. I found a cafe and I stayed there for 2 hours slowly eating and drinking.

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This time is time for my MCL, as my ACL couldn’t resist the pressure, according to the orthopaedist. He said that my MCL is fine with its structure but completely not in its function. He advised me that I should have ACL replaced after my MCL heals itself. He said that I have to stabilise my knee for a 3 weeks with a 30degrees on watches/clocks.

I went to the osteopath the next day. Of course he told me to get rid of the stabilizator as soon as possible. He said that no surgery is needed but I can’t do much right now. The treated me (a lot traction in my toes) and he made my knee fluids disappear! It means it hurt me much less. The next they he showed me some exercises, but focused mostly on my R foot as it’s apparently the cause of my problems.

I can’t do anything apart from walking and cycling on the low level for 15 mins.

Next appointment during the reading week! 🥳

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Today was my first day at school and I started it in clinic. My group changed a bit, but I can’t say if for better or worse. I was observing Matt Quenet (my housemate as we realised later). Although, I saw just a one patient, he was a very interesting case. He was a gym boy addicted to exercises. He was boxing 3 days a week for 2 hours and another 3 days he had high intensity gym sessions. He came with problems in shoulders, wrists and knees. Well.... he just exercises too much but he doesn’t want to stop. Moreover, he had a very weird voice - Matt said it may be some kind of a cancer (?)

When it came to treatment, Matt asked if Charlott and I wanted to do some soft tissue work on a patient and Sophia if she is fine with doing some articulation in a shoulder. (We did it of course) That was so nice of him! Great start of clinic sessions this year! :)

Tutor was also great!!! He was really nice but I think he can be very demanding. After the appointment he explained us some general things. We were also Marco (4th year) and the tutor asked Matt and Marco what tips and advices do they have for us. Marco said that we really need to study for our pleasure and benefits. He said he was always passing everything with preparing last minutes (same here...). Only now did he realise how stupid it was. Especially with anatomy, we need to be curious. BE CURIOUS! Studying osteopathy should be a pleasure and it’s some kind of śledztwo.

Learn things with blood preassure!

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I was in the clinic today for the first time this year. I even haven’t been to the school yet! I was observing Matt (see in Professionalism) and he let me do the soft tissue on a patient! That was so satisfying!!
Firstly, he asked for the patient’s consent and then he explained me everything. It is very nice of him to get observes involved, especially second years.
Everything was safe and under Matt’s control, so the patient was happy and felt relieved after my “treatment”.

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Andrew Mansfield!!! I love him the best tutor ever!!!

Tibo is no longer teachings so Andrew took over him. The spirit he gives to his classes is incredible. He is really intelligent, interesting and has a huge amount of knowledge that he truly understands. If he sees that we can’t get something he is happy to explain one more time and again and again without marking us feel stupid. He is trying different methods of explanation to see which is the easiest for us.

His sense of humour make his lectures not boring at all. It’s the first time that I can be focused for the whole theoretical lecture. Amazing!

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On the 25.12.2019 I did (finally) my HVT thrust!!!! I was waiting for it for sooo long, because I could never manage. I did it on Emilija in her lumbar and than on Marie in her thoracic area - the technique we’ve just learnt that day!! I’m so proud of myself.

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In March coronavirus became more dangerous and because of that I went back to Poland. I thought I was going home just for a week, but shortly after I arrived, it became obvious that I wouldn't be back fo a long time. I was really worried about the exams, because I  thought I would have to retake them in the summer.  Fortunately, exams got postponed and school was closed. When the school reopened, we only had online lectures, which were nowhere as good as the ones face to face. Obviously, we didn't have any practical lectures and even our practical exams became theoritical.
After 6 months of no proper lectures and completely no practical ones, we came back to Boxley and a week after we got our first patients!! That was crazy, I think that we lost so many opportunieties during those 6 months to get better. I don't hink we will be able to catch up.

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Today (.....date) I got my forst patient. I was a 83 old man, presenting with a lower back and R leg/ knee pain. Mr. Chaffey really helped me with my evaluation and treatment, basically he did the whole examination for me. Some people said that it was highly inaapropriate, but I was happy, as I wouldn't hav eknown what to do. I felt really weird, I wasn't panicking, but at the same time I forgot almost everything I've learnt. Also, a thing that surprised me was that Mr. Chaffey asked me next to the patient, what I thought the diagnosis was. In my opienion it was OA, but I was scared to say it in front of the patient, so I said I didn't know. Then, the tutor said laudly that he is pretty sure that the patient has degenerative changes - so I was right! But still, I wouldn't be able to say it in front of the patient.

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surprisingly, I wasn't stressed! I was so nice to finally, after 2 years be in that place, that I've been waiting for so long! Applying the knowledge in the real life is completely different adn so exciting!

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During the lockdown, I managed to observe Marcin Ganowski in his clinic. He is a very well known osteopath in Poland, so sitting by his side was incredible. He told me many things about osteopathy, patients, nutrition and different things connedcted to patients' condition. Seeing him was very beneficial and I've seen childrens's as patients for the first time! I fell in love with them! I really would like to work with them later on in my practise.

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Due to coronavirus situation we have to deal with many restristions and rules. Fortunately, the clinic stays open, even during the lockdown. We have to wear PPE (personal protection equipment). It includes masks, gloves and aprions. We are not allowed to have any observers in the room.

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The clinic stayed open, although, many students and tutors have doubts about it. We still have our PPE, but with more than 50 000 cases per day, is it still worth being open? It was a really difficult decision for me to come back to the uk right now and I still don't know if that was a good decision. From the next week, I will be in the clinic every two weeks, which means that I will be bored in my room for another two. Yes, we will have tutorials and online classes, but I could do it at home as well. At the same time, I don't want to miss even more than I've already done.

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What does it mean to be proffesional these days? Staying open and seeing many patients (of course wearing the PPE)? Or having your practice closed for yours and patients safety - although you parients may be in pain.