What happens at my first appointment?

We will talk about why you have come to me and then look at your medical history. This may involve a lot of questions to ensure I have a full understanding of what is going on and that osteopathy is an appropriate treatment for you. After this, I will do an assessment, which involves looking at how you hold yourself e.g. the curve of your spine and then, with your consent, I will put my hands on to feel your muscle tone and where your pain is. We will do some specific tests to narrow down a diagnosis and once we have a good understanding of what is wrong I will discuss this with you and let you know what the initial treatment plan is. We will do some treatment and put a plan in place for future treatments and exercises you can do at home.

What should I wear?

For osteopathic treatment I can work through most clothing but ideally, comfortable shoes, shorts and for women a close fitting top e.g. cropped sports top or appropriate bra allows me to provide the best assessment. You are welcome to arrive in your normal clothes and change in the room whilst I wait outside. If you have any concerns about appropriate clothing then please do give us a call on 07722 46 86 36 and we can discuss this with you.

Where is the treatment room?

Follow the signs for the Health Suite in the leisure centre. If you arrive early you are welcome to wait in the Costa with no obligation to purchase anything. Please come to the room for your appointment time and wait outside if the door is closed as I may be with another patient.

Can osteopathy help me?

Osteopathy is suitable for all sorts of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. I regularly treat neck pain, back pain such as overuse injuries or disc bulges/herniation, muscle strains, ligament sprains, frozen shoulder and arthritis to name just a few. If you are in extreme pain or are worried about the severity of your symptoms then speak to 111, your GP or go to your local A&E as osteopathy is not suitable as emergency treatment. If you’re unsure you can give us a call on 07722 46 86 36 and we can discuss your symptoms.

How do I know if I need a new initial consultation?

If you have a recurring condition that has already been assessed and you have seen me in the last 12 months then you don’t need a new assessment. If you have something new or you haven’t been seen in the last 12 months then we will need to perform a new assessment in order to ensure a safe treatment.