Osteopaths - Any good?

[MummyWithA1Family]

I've had a bad back since being pregnant with my DS who's now 20 months.

11 days ago I started with the latest flare up and can barely move. My lower back's so excruciating (very sharp pain) that I can't bend down, sit down or stand up without being in a lot of pain. I'm on very strong pain killers but they're doing nothing for it. The only time I get some sort of relief is laid down, even then it's painful (dull ache like tooth ache). When I go to stand up I'm nearly screaming in pain and have nearly passed out a few times because it's been that bad.

Do you think an osteopath would help? If so roughly how many sessions would/might I need? I'm just worried it'll be a waste of time as it'll cause me alot of pain to get there and it's quite expensive. If it works then I'll pay almost anything as I'm in so much pain!

Please advise of anything else that may work as I'm really desperate.

OP - re the cost of yoga/Pilates (put me off too) have you asked to be referred for NHS pilates via your physio?

RE the difference between osteo and physio - in my case (which has spanned 5 years and 2 different physiotherapy practices) the difference is about 35 minutes of hands-on treatment per session. My osteopath treats my back problem manually for 40 minutes, my NHS physios have mainly filled in forms and printed off sheets of exercises for me to to at home (though I did find the Pilates helpful). I find I get much, much more specific and detailed advise from my osteopath, which enables me to understand my condition and therefore to influence it more effectively. And, knowing that I am not very well off, he arranges my treatment to cover as few sessions as possible, and supports me with email/phone advise to follow up if necessary.

There is also the consistency of care issue - my osteopath has an accumulated knowledge of my problem and how to treat it successfully, but unfortunately with NHS physio your care may be passed from one person to another every time you have an episode, meaning you have to start from scratch every time.

Thank you Quodlibet. I'll certainly look into Pilates on the NHS, I didn't know they did it. If I can get it on the NHS that would be great as we are a little tight on extra money to cover 'non essentials'.