FAQS
Your Questions Answered
HOW DO I BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
You can book an appointment by clicking on either of my locations from the booking page or, with me at my Canterbury clinic by clicking here or at either of the locations for Oast Osteopathy by clicking on the link here.
WHAT KINDS OF CONDITIONS CAN OSTEOPATHY TREAT?
Osteopathy is a system of assessing, diagnosing, treating and preventing a wide range of health problems.
Osteopaths are known for treating back pain and postural problems, this may include changes caused by driving, work posture, stress or injuries, work and exercise related, the pain of arthritis as well as the changes brought about during pregnancy and the adaptation to post pregnancy.
Osteopathic patients include all ages from the young to the old, pregnant women, children and sports people.
Below you can find the common joint and muscle conditions that osteopaths treat.
Headaches
Sinus pain
Neck pain
Shoulder pain
Hand and elbow pain
Back pain
Hip pain
Knee pain
Foot and Ankle pain
Pain and discomfort experienced both during and after pregnancy.
IS OSTEOPATHY REGULATED?
Osteopathy in the UK is regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Since 2000, the title "Osteopath" has been protected by law this means that it is a criminal offence to describe oneself as an Osteopath unless registered with GOsC.
More information regarding the GOsC may be found by clicking here. On the GosC website you will find the register of Osteopaths, my registration is here
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM A VISIT TO AN OSTEOPATH?
Osteopaths spend time during the initial consultation taking a detailed case history. This will involve asking questions about your current symptoms and also about your general medical history and health. You will usually be asked to dress down to your underwear in order for an examination to take place, so please wear appropriate underwear, shorts / leggings and a vest top are fine. You will then be assessed using a variety of mobility and orthopaedic tests to rule in or rule out causes of your symptoms and together with your osteopath you will agree on a treatment and management plan to best help resolve your problem and allow you a speedy return to a pain free life.
WILL THE TREATMENT HURT?
Osteopathic treatment is not usually painful. The nature of some conditions may mean there could be a level of discomfort, but for the vast majority, an Osteopathic treatment is gentle, working in harmony with your body. When devising a treatment plan with your Osteopath they will take into consideration your concerns and the nature of your symptoms to provide a solution that works best for you.
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Osteopaths do not perform techniques or treatment unless full consent is obtained. You are in control of your treatment. Some patients are concerned about "cracking" or "clicking" of joints. This type of mobilisation technique is known as a High-Velocity Thrust (HVT) and can be an effective way to restore movement and mobilise a joint, HVT's are only used where appropriate and when express permission has been gained from the patient.
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If you do not wish to receive this type of manipulation feel confident that other techniques can be used which could be equally beneficial.
DO I NEED A DOCTOR’S REFERRAL?
No, Osteopaths are primary care practitioners and Allied Health Professionals (more can be read about this here) They are trained to assess and diagnose a wide variety of conditions and provide safe effective treatment to bring you back to full health. For the NHS view on the role of Osteopaths click here.