What We Do

Thumbnail of line drawing of bendy peopleOsteopathy

“To find health should be the object of the practitioner. Anyone can find disease.” Andrew Taylor Still, founder of Osteopathy.

Osteopathy is a “whole body” system of manual treatment which uses clinical diagnosis and hands-on techniques to help resolve problems in the joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves.

Osteopathy treats each person as an individual and recognises the effect of all aspects of that person’s life on their state of health.

Osteopathy is all about the connection between the body’s structure and its function, so when the structure is well balanced the body will function at its best. When movement and breathing are eased the body’s own healing mechanisms can work most effectively.

All osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council, which regulates the profession and protects patients. Osteopaths are highly skilled practitioners with sound clinical experience, committed to lifelong learning.

What to expect in osteopathic treatment

The Initial Consultation session lasts about an hour, and includes a full medical history as well as examination and usually treatment, unless there is a reason why treatment is not appropriate, e.g. if further medical investigations are necessary.

The aim of this first session is to find out as far as possible the cause of the complaint, and whether there are factors in your life history or your work which are contributing to it. Once we have a clear understanding of the problem, we can plan how much treatment may be necessary, and also what you can do to help yourself.

At first, most people have treatment once a week, until the worst is over, then maybe continue for a while at less frequent intervals until all symptoms are gone. The number of treatments required varies depending on the individual, most people have 4-6 sessions. Each treatment session lasts about half an hour, and involves mostly hands-on work as well as advice on posture and exercise.

Some people have chronic or recurring problems which will never completely go away. Sometimes life’s demands mean that you cannot avoid aggravating the complaint. In these situations, together we can work out a course of treatment suitable for you.