Frequently Asked Questions

Osteopaths are trained medical professionals who have gained a degree in osteopathy (MOst) which involves the study of musculoskeletal physiology, anatomy and pathology over a period of 4-5 years.

All osteopaths are fully insured, follow strict guidelines, have undergone enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and must be registered with the Government’s regulatory body, the General Osteopathic Council (www.osteopathy.org.uk) in order to maintain excellent standard of practice.

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and hands-on treatment for a wide range of medical conditions which cause pain or discomfort. The main focus of treatment is on the musculoskeletal system (joints, muscles, ligaments, fascia etc). Osteopaths use many of the same diagnostic methods as conventional medicine to establish the cause of physical symptoms whilst taking any external impacting factors into account e.g. lifestyle, work, physical anomalies.

Please see our services for more information

We provide treatment to all age groups, from babies and children to the very elderly. We treat office workers, health workers, manual workers, pregnant women and sports injury.

Our treatment is adapted to the individual’s needs and requirements.

Your initial appointment will last approximately 40 – 60 minutes with subsequent treatments taking about 30 minutes. Your osteopath will take a full medical history, including details of any past and present illnesses, accidents, imaging, medications and surgical procedures. Your personal information is handled in the strictest of confidence.

Following a detailed discussion regarding your presenting symptoms, your osteopath may wish to assess the symptomatic area for signs of dysfunction i.e. decreased ranges of movements, muscular imbalances, orthopedic or neurological abnormalities.

When your osteopath is confident with the diagnosis, the exact cause of your symptoms and the proposed treatment plan will be explained to you in detail.

Your treatment and management plan may include a number of osteopathic interventions such as; spinal and joint manipulation, massage, articulation, acupuncture, kinesiology taping and a rehabilitation programme designed specifically to suit your individual requirements and lifestyle.

After your initial appointment, the osteopath will have a good idea of your prognosis. The number of treatments required is completely dependent on the individual and the presenting complaint.
Symptoms which haven’t been around for a long time can respond very quickly and often, a full resolution can be achieved within 1 or 2 appointments.

With more complex and chronic symptoms, or those with impacting external factors (disease or physically demanding work/lifestyle) it may take slightly longer.

Theoretically no. All of the techniques used in osteopathic practice are applied with great care and expertise and are aimed to provide symptomatic relief. However, when an area of the body becomes damaged, inflamed or overused it can become overly sensitized and painful. In some cases, in order to restore function, we may need to work directly with the affected structure i.e. massage to a strained muscle.

Your osteopath will be sensitive to your personal level of discomfort and will work to make sure that your treatment is as comfortable and painless as possible. In the event that the area is simply too painful to apply pressure or movement to, a variety of alternative osteopathic techniques and interventions are available to make your treatment as relaxing and comfortable as possible.

In the majority of cases you will experience no discomfort following your treatment, however it is perfectly normal to feel some tenderness in the area that has been worked on, especially if you are new to osteopathy.

Patients who do experience a slight post treatment reaction can expect this to settle down, along with the initial symptoms within a maximum of 48 hours. If any discomfort persists, or you are concerned about your symptoms, please call us on 07496 918 435

Simply wear clothing which you feel comfortable in and that allows your osteopath access to the symptomatic area.
In the majority of cases we will work around or through clothing, however, we advise our patients to bring/wear shorts, vests or appropriate undergarments.

Osteopaths are known as primary care physicians, this means that it is not necessary to speak with your GP before a consultation.

In the event that your osteopath believes you may benefit from further orthodox management and/or investigations, your permission to write a letter to your GP will be sought. The letter will contain current osteopathic findings, diagnosis and the request for appropriate action.

Osteopathy is proven to be a non-invasive and a safe means of therapy. All practitioners are highly trained, extremely competent and take great care to ensure patients’ health and wellbeing.

All osteopaths must be registered with the Government’s regulatory body, the General Osteopathic Council (www.osteopathy.org.uk) and complete 30 hours of continued professional development each year in order to maintain an excellent standard of practice. Osteopaths are fully insured, follow strict guidelines and have undergone enhanced DBS checks.

Yes, your comfort is our priority.