There are many different reasons why people are in pain and each person has a different way of responding to it. The average number of visits to an Osteopath is between 4-6, sometimes less and sometimes more. However it is the policy of this practice that if you do not respond to your treatment we will discuss other alternatives and try to find a therapy that works for you.

When you visit an osteopath for the first time, a full case history and examination will be undertaken to understand which tissues are affected. You will normally be asked to remove some of your clothing and to perform a series of movements. The osteopath then uses their highly developed sense of touch, called Palpation, to identify areas of strain/stress and points of weakness. The osteopath may need additional investigations such as X-ray or Blood test. This will allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed for you.

Not ordinarily. The approach that is most likely to be uncomfortable is deep soft tissue work, rather than manipulation (the technique that most fear). With a good patient - practitioner rapport, you should try and feedback as to when it is becoming too uncomfortable. Known as 'therapeutic discomfort' this is usually that sort of sensation that is not comfortable, but not unpleasant either.

For your best care & to fully assess the nature of the problem, then yes a level of undress would be required. In fact we could be regarded as being negligent if we were to assess, diagnose & treat without fully examining you. Obviously, more minor, peripheral problems (i.e. ankle strain, knee injury, etc) may be addressed with a lesser degree of undress, but we can only give you our best care if we are able to get a fuller, holistic picture of the problem. Wearing 'appropriate underwear' is a good idea, a bikini or cycling shorts & sports bra would be acceptable.

Musculo-skeletal disorders, according to the Health & Safety Executive, form the largest group of work-related illnesses, accounting for 1.2 million of an estimated 2 million cases of occupational ill-health. The aim of working with industry is to be able to bring about a reduction in absenteeism figures due to musculo-skeletal related injuries by promoting the benefits of early intervention. Benefits of early intervention are not only cost effective but also cost saving.