Your First Appointment

Your First Session
Our Consent Form
Complaints Procedure

Your first session

You will be seen by a fully qualified Osteopath, registered with the GOsC. The Osteopath needs to know about your health, past and present, and you will be asked detailed questions about your complaint, medical history, general health and any medication you may be taking. All case history details are completely confidential and will not be released without your consent.

Examination

The examination will mainly focus on your musculoskeletal system but it may be necessary to examine your heart, lungs and abdomen. You may be asked to undress to the minimal level required for the Osteopath to undertake an effective examination and/or treatment - if you prefer to remain clothed please tell your practitioner.

Your Osteopath may examine your posture and mobility to determine the areas in need of treatment. You may be asked to perform simple movements to help the Osteopath understand and assess your condition and further examination will be conducted on the examination couch. The Osteopath may also take your blood pressure and test reflexes, joint mobility and muscle strength.

Your Osteopath will then make a diagnosis which will be discussed with you along with the proposed treatment programme as appropriate. If the Osteopath does not feel you will benefit from osteopathic treatment this will be explained and alternatives will be discussed and/or suggested.

You will be given hands-on treatment involving soft-tissue techniques, mobilisation and manipulation of the joints. Treatment can sometimes be painful. You may be given exercises and advice to support the treatment. Please do not hesitate to ask the Osteopath to stop the treatment and explain anything s/he says or does at any time during your appointment. It may take several sessions before your condition is relieved.

It may be helpful during the course of your treatment for the Osteopath to either inform your GP about areas of your health and treatment or for the Osteopath to obtain details of your medical history. Your consent is required for this and we will ensure we inform you before doing so.

Consent

Consent Form

Please read the following before your first visit.

You may wish to print out our consent form, sign it and bring it with you.

Click here for the form

Risks of Osteopathic Treatment

As with all forms of healthcare provision, Osteopathy carries with it a certain risk, but this is much lower than many other methods for treating your problem. Please rest assured, Osteopathy is a very safe and effective form of treatment.

Common ‘reactions’ may include: increased tenderness for 24-48 hours after treatment before symptoms begin to improve. Redness or even bruising of the skin may occur if deep-tissue work has been administered. Treatment to the neck may result in a short-lived headache or light-headedness. Please feel free to ring and talk to your Osteopath if you ‘don’t feel right’.

Serious side effects are very uncommon. In extremely rare cases manipulation of the neck has been associated with strokes. Your Osteopath will discuss with you any risks involved prior to treatment being carried out. Do not hesitate to ask if you are in any way concerned.