FAQs

We may use massage, stretching, resistance techniques, or joint mobilisation or manipulation to release tissue tension or improve the range of movement in joints, improve the blood flow and nerve supply to the body. The majority of techniques are gentle, and if any pain is felt it should be a good pain which feels like it is helping to ease the problem. 

We also use cranial, functional and fascial osteopathic techniques which are gentle ways to release tension in the whole body including the head. 

Osteopathy is very safe, osteopaths will spend the first part of your initial consultation taking a detailed case history to determine whether or not osteopathy is suitable for you, they will then examine you. Once these have been completed your osteopath will determine whether or not they think if osteopathy is appropriate for you, or if you should seek alternative medical advice. 

This depends on when the osteopath qualified. The more experienced osteopaths may have a Diploma in Osteopathy, or a Bachelor's degree, more recent graduates will have a Masters in Osteopathy. 

All osteopaths MUST be registered with the Genral Osteopathic Council, you can check to see if someone is a registered osteopath here Search the Register - General Osteopathic Council (osteopathy.org.uk) .

All osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) which regulates Osteopaths. Look for the I am Registered logo – you cannot call yourself an osteopath unless you are qualified and registered. 

To qualify as an osteopath, you need to undertake as a minimum a 4- or 5-year degree during which an osteopathic student will undertake at least 1000 supervised clinical hours. 

Once qualified an osteopath must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing professional development (for examples relevant courses or research) 

The GOsC maintain a strict code of professional practice, which if not followed can result in an osteopath being removed from the register. Go to https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search/ to check an osteopath's registration.

I regularly get asked what the difference between osteopathy, chiropractic and physiotherapy is. All three therapies are referred to as manual therapies and are considered Primary Health Care Systems. All practitioners will be trained in anatomy, physiology, pathology, evaluation and diagnostic skills. Whilst initial manual training for each of the disciplines can be very different, it is not unusual for osteopaths to find that chiropractors and physiotherapists attend the same post graduate professional training courses as they do. 

Each profession is regulated and is required to complete a predetermined number of continuing professional development hours each year. 

The most important factor is that the patient feels that they can trust their practitioner to understand their presenting complaint, and that they can assess them and treat them appropriately. 

Osteopathy 
A.T. Still was the founder of Osteopathy and the key principles he stated form the basis for the osteopathic approach. 
Osteopaths believe that the body has its own medicine chest and has the capability to heal itself if its structure and function are working together optimally. To achieve this, osteopaths believe that “the rule of the artery is supreme”. Osteopaths use a holistic approach considering not only the presenting symptoms, but also other factors which may have resulted in these symptoms. 
http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/information/about-osteopathy/ 

Chiropractic 
Whilst chiropractors have a similar approach to osteopaths, they believe that the health of the body is related to spinal health and that the neurological system manages this. Chiropractors may use radiography and radiology reports to form the basis of their treatment which is focused on the spinal column and the neurological system. 
https://www.gcc-uk.org/chiropractic-standards/why-see-a-registered-chiropractor 

Physiotherapy 
Physiotherapists tend to use fewer manual techniques than osteopaths and chiropractors. They will often prescribe a range of exercises to help with rehabilitation. Physiotherapists often specialise in a particular area, for example sports injuries or postoperative rehabilitation. 

http://www.csp.org.uk/your-health/what-physiotherapy.

The initial consultation will start with your osteopath asking about your medical history including details about the current problem, any other history of musculo-skeletal problems, any other medical problems, diagnosed conditions, operations, history of accidents and family history, as well as any other information they may feel is useful based on the information they gather. 

You will then be asked to perform some movements which relate to your presenting symptoms to enable to see how your body functions within its structure. Your osteopath will then examine you, using relevant diagnostic tests to help determine the possible causes of your condition. 

Once a full case history has been taken and diagnostic tests have been completed, your osteopath will explain what they believe is causing your problems and the reasons why this may have occurred. Then if appropriate they will discuss with you the treatment approach they intend to use and treat you using a variety of techniques which they believe are suitable for you. 

We may also recommend exercises to help you achieve full functionality. If necessary, we may recommend further investigations or treatment by other medical professionals and will refer you to the appropriate people to help achieve these. 

No

It is not necessary to have a GP referral to see an osteopath. However, osteopaths can and do work with GP’s and other healthcare professionals both thorough the NHS and privately. Most patients however see osteopaths privately without a referral. 

Under the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) the recommendations for low back pain include utilising manual therapies such as osteopath for treatment. https://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/Conditions-and-diseases/Musculoskeletal-conditions/Low-back-pain/

Wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement. Since osteopathy involves physical manipulation and examination of the body, wearing loose-fitting clothes such as athletic wear, yoga pants, or shorts can be ideal. Avoid wearing tight or restrictive clothing.

Yes. If you would like a friend or family member to accompany you, please feel free to bring them with you. 

Children are welcome to accompany their parents or carers, and we have a small selection of toys for younger children. However, some parents feel that they are more able to relax if they do not have to worry about their children. 

 We ask that all patients under 16 are accompanied by a parent or carer with parental responsibility for the full duration of their treatment. 

When we are treating new babies, it is not unusual for both parents to want to attend the appointment, we understand this and it often proves helpful if the child is unsettled as it allows one parent to focus on the child whilst the other discusses the case history, or the proposed treatment and advice with the osteopath. 

 On average most patients need 3 or 4 sessions, however it depends on the nature and severity of your condition, your overall health status, and how your body responds to treatment. For acute or minor conditions, you may only need a few appointments to see improvement. Chronic or more complex conditions may require ongoing treatment over a longer period to achieve lasting results.

Your osteopath will let you know once you have shared your history and they have assessed you.

You can book an appointment by clicking Book Online at the top of the page, or by text or what’s app of phoning 07474521329 for Jackie, or 07979 650604 for Tanya. Please note that we don’t use a reception service, so it may be a few hours before we are able to call you back.

If you booked online, then please call Jackie or Tanya to reschedule, as we will need to transfer your payment across. If you booked directly with either Jackie or Tanya you can either use the cancellation link in your appointment email, and rebook online, or you can contact your osteopath to cancel and reschedule for you.