Frequently asked questions

 

Is Osteopathy safe?

Yes it is. Our osteopaths are expert primary healthcare practitioners and your safety is our primary concern. In common with medical practitioners and dentists, all osteopaths are registered by law under the Osteopathic Act 1993 and the title 'osteopath' is protected by legislation.  The profession is also statutorily regulated through the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).  

  

As with all medical intervention, osteopathy does have risks associated it.  We will explain the possible risks of treatment and discuss any worries you may have before beginning your treatment programme, but you can be reassured by the knowledge that osteopathic care has helped millions of people over the years.

 

What training does an Osteopath have?

Osteopathy was the first complementary healthcare profession to be given statutory regulation by the government, and our osteopaths are expert primary healthcare professionals. Qualified osteopaths have undergone four years of training to gain a BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent, and are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). The GOsC protects patients by regulating and setting standards for osteopathic education, practise and conduct.

 

Do I need to consult my GP first?

There is no need to consult your GP before visiting us, although you may choose to do so. Osteopaths are classed as ‘primary care physicians’ – this means you can consult us without approaching your GP beforehand. While we don't have the authority to prescribe drugs or painkillers, we are able to provide off-work certificates/sick notes if necessary.

 

Will the treatment hurt?

Our treatment approach is very gentle and will not be painful.  There may be mild discomfort in some circumstances, for example when working on very tight muscles.

 

Will I feel sore after treatment?

As your body readjusts and adapts to the changes that occur during treatment, you may sometimes feel tired or even a little achey (like you’ve  over-used a muscle) after treatment.  If this happens, such effects last from 6hrs -24hrs after treatment.  We will be able to advise you on your particular case and address any concerns you may have.

How long does a course of treatment take?

This depends on the nature and complexity of your problem.  As a general rule, things that occurred recently will resolve fairly quickly, 2 - 4 treatments.  Longer term, more chronic conditions may take longer.  We will discuss your individual situation with you on your first visit.  Our aim is help you get well as soon as possible, so be assured we will not keep you coming longer than necessary.

Do you offer some sort of check-up service for people even if they are not in any pain?
Absolutely, prevention is better than cure!  We are happy to check for disturbances in patterns of movement throughout the body including cranial membranes, tension-holding patterns, organs, muscles, joints, spinal segments, as well as checking postural imbalances that could cause problems later down the line.

 

Regular check ups.

More and more of our patients are taking a longer-term view of their health resulting in preventative treatments becoming increasingly popular. Just as you might visit an optician or dentist for regular check-ups, patients can benefit from visits to an osteopath for advice and treatment when needed. The pathway of care that your osteopath discussed with you on your first consultation will have given your osteopath a good idea as to whether maintenance treatments might be beneficial to you, but only after the course of treatments in the management plan have been fulfilled will it become clear as to whether you are a candidate or not for maintenance. Candidates for maintenance tend to be those who place a continued heavy burden on their bodies such as builders, sedentary workers and sports enthusiasts (playing not watching!) and also patients who are coping with long term disability and or arthritic issues that require regular intervention to manage the issues rather than solve them completely. Either way, the choice is entirely up to you and your osteopath will gladly discuss through with you the options available, and will be happy to see you on your terms.

 

Can I claim on my health insurance?

We are recognised with all major health insurance companies. We will provide you with receipts which you can use to claim. Check with your insurer whether you need a GP referral letter.