Frequently asked questions
How long do appointments take?
New patient appointments last around 60 minutes, this so that we can take time to take a detailed case history as well as a physical examination and treatment. Follow up appointments are 40 minutes.
How many treatments will I need?
A recent study found the average number of visits to an osteopath for a given problem is 3-4. There are many factors which will influence this and your osteopath will discuss this with you at the end of your appointment. They will be able to form a good idea of what your treatment pathway is likely to look like based on your injury, their diagnosis and how your body responded to the first treatment.
Does a chronic (long term) symptom take much longer to get better than a more recent injury?
Not necessarily! Sometimes problems that have been there for a long time, even for years, resolve relatively quickly within a few weeks. And other times an injury that happened 2 weeks ago might take longer to resolve. It all depends upon the cause of the injury, which your osteopath will discuss with you and explain their expectations of your recovery process.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
Yes, we have one ground floor treatment room which is wheelchair accessible. If you are unable to use the stairs please let us know before the appointment to make sure we have booked the ground floor room.
We also have a toilet on the ground floor, however it is not wheelchair accessible.The closest wheelchair accessible toilet is in the Sainsbury’s in the Clifton Down Shopping Center, just over the road from us.
What to wear at the first appointment?
You may, if comfortable, be asked to undress down to your underwear for the initial examination. This is usually only for the first consultation. It is useful if the area in pain is visible. For example if you have knee pain, shorts would be best.
If you are not comfortable undressing to your underwear then wearing shorts or leggings and a strappy top or thin cotton top is also fine. Loose, comfortable clothing is easier and more comfortable for us to work with than heavy or tight jeans.
Does treatment hurt?
Structural osteopathic techniques involve physically moving and stretching the joints, and sometimes using a manipulation (clicking the joint). Sometimes these areas can be sore because they are being asked to move in a new way. It should never be painful, but some tenderness is to be expected. (Read more about Structural Osteopathy here)
Cranial osteopathic techniques are much more gentle and don’t generally cause any discomfort. (Read more about Cranial Osteopathy here)
If you have a preference you can discuss this with your osteopath during your appointment.
Does my osteopath have to click my joints?
No, absolutely not. The clicking techniques, known as manipulations, are just one of many techniques we have available to us. Your osteopath will always discuss the use of a manipulation technique before using it, and will ask for your consent to do so. If you’d rather not have a joint clicked there are other equally effective techniques that we can use instead.
Can I ask my osteopath to treat more than one issue at a time?
As osteopaths we look at the body as a whole, and therefore always look at the whole body. For this reason, very often our patients see improvements in more than one area of their body during the course of treatment. However, detailed time does need to be spent investigating the injury, and looking at more than one at a time can split the time and ‘dilute’ the focus. Our recommendation is to tell your osteopath what your priority for treatment is, and also describe any other concerns so that they can be incorporated into the treatment process as much as possible.
How will I feel after the treatment?
Most people feel relaxed at the end of a treatment.
It usually takes the body 2-3 days to fully respond to a treatment, though this can be shorter or longer. It’s not always possible to say exactly how you will feel but your Osteopath will be able to give you more specific information at the time of treatment.
Sometimes your muscles can feel sore the day after a treatment because they are adjusting to moving and working in a different way. This usually only lasts for 24-48 hours. If you have any concerns after your treatment please get in touch with us, we’re always happy to have a discussion with you.
What if I feel worse after my treatment?
If symptoms are worse after a treatment this is not necessarily a bad thing. It can be a sign of the body being in a process of change. If you have concerns or if any reactions haven’t settled after 48 hours, please feel free to get in contact and speak to one of our team.
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, children under the age of 16 should always be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult. Anyone is more than welcome to bring someone with them though.
How soon can I bring my baby after birth?
We treat babies of any age, even days old. The main factor is whenever you are ready and comfortable to bring them in. If the birth has been difficult or interventions such as ventouse or forceps were needed, then the sooner better. If your baby or child didn’t receive treatment immediately, however, it is never too late to bring them.
Can I feed my baby in the clinic?
Yes absolutely. You are welcome to breast feed your baby in reception, during the appointment and even during the treatment itself. If you would like somewhere private to feed your baby please ask and we can usually accommodate this for you.
How to book?
You can book online via our website or get in contact via phone on 07769 288264.
What payment do we accept?
We accept card or cash payments.
What is the cancellation policy?
We ask for 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. Cancellations made after 24 hours will incur a full fee charge.
Ready to start your journey to better health? Book here