Osteopathy

Please wear loose, comfortable clothing that you would exercise in as your appointment is likely to be an active session, with the osteopath taking you through a range of movements to assess muscle and joint function and possibly take baseline measurements. If you have undergone any imaging, such as X-rays or MRI scans, it is helpful if you are able to bring the radiologist’s reports of these scans. These can be requested from your GP’s surgery if these were carried out by the NHS.

On your first appointment, a detailed medical history will be taken to help us gain a full understanding of your health issues and treatment goals. Your osteopath will then carry out an examination, looking at your posture, mobility, strength and if relevant, other special diagnostic tests such as neurological or cardiovascular assessments. The medical history and examination allow the osteopath to form a diagnosis and treatment plan tailored to your specific needs. Management involves an explanation of the diagnosis and a discussion about prognosis. Following this, we usually start with hands-on treatment, advice about lifestyle (such as workstation setup) and rehab exercise prescription. On occasion the osteopath may refer you for further diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans or blood screens, either through your GP on the NHS or privately.

We advise you wear loose-fitting clothing, for example clothes you might exercise in. At times you may be asked to momentarily remove items of clothing for the examination, but treatment usually takes place with you fully clothed. Your comfort and modesty is very important to us, so please let us know if you have any concerns.

The number of sessions will vary, depending on the nature, severity, and longevity of your condition. Our osteopaths will always try and provide an initial estimate, but adjustments may be made based on your progress. Most patients experience improvement within a few sessions, while others might take longer. Consistency with exercises and following the treatment plan is crucial for optimal results.

Yes. As part of your treatment plan your osteopath will often prescribe you with some rehab exercises to be done at home, without the need to go to a gym or have access to specialised equipment. These will be sent to you via email (or printed if you prefer), with clear instructions to follow.

Osteopathy is suitable for individuals of all ages, including children and the elderly.

Yes, you can safely see an osteopath at any stage of your pregnancy. Osteopaths are trained to work with pregnant women and can provide treatment and advice to help alleviate pain and discomfort and promote overall well-being during pregnancy. Osteopaths routinely support pregnant patients with various issues related to pregnancy, such as back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica and postural changes.

Yes, you can. Our osteopaths will take a full case history to understand how best to treat you. Treatment is always tailored to each patient. Treatment for patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia is always gentle, avoiding any high-velocity manipulation.

Osteopaths commonly identify when patients may have undiagnosed osteoporosis or osteopenia and will refer on to the GP so that patients can have the appropriate diagnostic tests and relevant treatment.

There are a lot of similarities and some subtle differences between the two treatment modalities. Both are hands-on therapies. Osteopaths tend to emphasise a holistic approach, considering the health and function of the whole body, whereas chiropractors tend to focus on just the spine and nervous system. Osteopaths typically use a broad range of techniques including joint mobilisation, soft-tissue massage, stretching as well as spinal or joint adjustments (the popping of joints). Chiropractors primarily use spinal adjustments and manipulations (the popping of joints) to correct spinal misalignments. The scope of practice for both modalities is very similar; osteopaths and chiropractors specialise in treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, sciatica, trapped nerves, headaches and muscle, tendon and joint pain. Both professions must complete a 4-year degree with clinical training and must be registered with their regulatory bodies.

Osteopathy is a very safe treatment modality. There are some occasional, moderate side-effects following treatment including fatigue, short-term discomfort or stiffness. Serious complications are extremely rare, with a study published in the British Medical Journal estimating serious complications such as muscles weakness and nerve damage being less than 1 in 1,000,000 following neck manipulation. A separate medical review reported that spinal manipulation was safer than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. ibuprofen, naproxen and Nurofen). This is reflected in the low cost of professional indemnity insurance for osteopaths.

Our osteopaths aim to provide a comfortable treatment. At times, there may be some mild discomfort during certain parts of the treatment or a short-term ache after treatment. Our osteopaths will always communicate with you to ensure your comfort and safety. If you have any concerns, we advise you to contact us for advice.

We are registered with all health insurance companies (including Aviva, AXA Health, Simply Health, WPA and Vitality), except BUPA, to provide osteopathy for their members. It's important to check with your insurance provider to understand what is covered by your policy and if any referrals are required.

There is a building body of evidence supporting the work that osteopaths do. This is reflected in NICE guidelines including osteopathy, and NHS Musculoskeletal Guidelines referring regularly to osteopaths.