Our receptionists will usually be the first people you speak to on the phone or meet when you come in for your first visit.
They will be happy to arrange appointments and answer general enquiries about the practice however, the reception staff cannot give any advice on treatment or medical problems. If necessary, they can arrange for one of our osteopaths to contact you if you need further information regarding how osteopathic treatment could help you.
On seeing your osteopath, they will spend some time taking a medical history, which will include questions about your general health and lifestyle as well as asking you about the symptoms or injuries that you are seeking help with. With your consent they will then perform a physical examination which is likely to involve the osteopath touching areas of your body where you are experiencing pain and asking you to perform certain movements. They may also look at any test results, x-rays and scan reports if these are available.
It may be necessary for the osteopath to ask you to remove some clothing, so that they can see and touch the areas of the body causing concern. If you are uncomfortable undressing to your underwear the osteopath may be able to suggest clothing such as shorts and a vest top. This will allow us to examine and work on the problem areas much more effectively without making you feel awkward.
After examination, your osteopath will discuss their findings, what they feel the problem is and what they can do to help. Your osteopath will describe what techniques they will use to treat the problem and how these techniques will help your condition.
If your osteopath feels the problem is not suitable to be treated with osteopathy you will be referred to the most appropriate person such as your GP for further tests or treatment.
Your osteopath will then move on to treatment using a number of manual hands-on techniques in order to improve the problems.
Your osteopath may also suggest exercises or modification to your posture or lifestyle with the aim of helping the underlying problems and not just the symptoms.