Your Consulation
Your consultation journey
Your first appointment takes approximately 45 minutes. You will be asked about your problem, your lifestyle and medical screening questions. We will then use our highly refined examination, palpation and observation skills to reach a diagnosis. We will start your tailored hands-on treatment program and give you the advice to start your journey back to wellness.
Your assessment & diagnosis
We take a full case history, including your past and present problems, lifestyle, occupation, leisure activities, medication, and general health.
This is then followed by an examination, which usually involves some undressing so that we can fully examine the body movements and problem area. However, if you are not comfortable with getting undressed, shorts and T-shirt are also suitable. If you prefer, you may also have a friend or relative present during the appointment.
Specific medical tests may be conducted during the process. Your osteopath will also use touch to identify points of weakness or excessive strain in the body. Once all of these stages have been completed, we can then discuss our findings and recommend the best course of treatment.
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Your treatment and therapy
If it is safe to do so, your treatment can then take place after your examination, including advice on how to manage the problem. Treatment usually takes place with you sitting or lying on a couch, and may involve:
Releasing and Relaxing Muscles
Stretching Stiff Joints
Gentle Massage Techniques
Rhythmic Joint Movements
Muscle Release Techniques
Spinal manipulations may also be carried out. These are short, quick movements to joints in order to help restore normal joint function and mobility. Advice may include stretches and/or exercises to do at home and suggestions on ways to improve posture and lifestyle.
The length of short-term care needed depends upon your condition and its duration, as well as your age and lifestyle. When you have chronic low back pain, you may need several treatments. For acute pain, 1 or 2 treatments may be sufficient. Follow-on appointments last for 30 minutes and mainly involve treatment and advice.
Your after-care and plan
After an osteopathic treatment, you may feel stiff, sore, and/or tired for up to 24 hours. This can feel similar to post-exercise soreness, as it is the result of your body making changes following the treatment. As a result, it is advisable to rest and to avoid strenuous activity, however, if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to ring our practice.
Longer-term we may suggest a regular review. Using our highly refined professional skills, a regular review will highlight any potential future problem areas before you feel any issues. We can then nip them in the bud, improve your energy and maintain your health to keep you well.
The benefits, risks and side effects of Osteopathic treatment
As with all medical intervention, osteopathic treatment has risks associated with it. These risks are extremely small and have been shown to be much smaller than most conventional medicine. However, they are present all the same. Using our expertise, we always aim to keep these to a minimum and only use techniques fit for your particular needs. However, if you have any concerns, please discuss them with your practitioner and we can alter our approach.
BENEFITS
The benefits are: reduction in pain, improved movement, increased energy, improved wellbeing amongst others.
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MINOR SIDE-EFFECTS
Following osteopathic treatment, you may feel one or more of the following side-effects which can last for a few days.
Common possible side-effects (around 50% of patients): Tiredness/fatigue, Soreness/Stiffness, Local pain and discomfort, Headache, Nausea, Tingling
Occasional side-effects: Abdominal pain, Tremor, Palpitation, Increased sweating, Presenting symptoms may feel worse for a short while.
OTHER SIDE-EFFECTS
As with all medical intervention, osteopathic treatment has risks associated with it. These risks are extremely small and have been shown to be much smaller than most conventional medicine. However, they are present all the same. Using our expertise, we always aim to keep these to a minimum and only use techniques fit for your particular needs. However, if you have any concerns, please discuss them with your practitioner and we can alter our approach.
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Extremely rare side-effects (1 in 1 million of appointments) Disc injury, Nerve root compression, Fracture, Stroke
A particular technique called HVT manipulation does carry a higher risk to the neck/low back area. However, a review of the literature relating to the risks of HVT manipulation concluded that the risk and benefit analysis supported continued careful use of cervical and lumbar manipulation by appropriately trained practitioners. Will will ask your consent again before we carry out this technique.
Our cancellation policy
​Your appointment time is reserved just for you. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the therapists' day that could have been filled by another patient. As such, we require 24 hours notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Patients who provide less than 24 hours notice, or miss their appointment, will be charged a cancellation fee, apart from in exceptional circumstances.