Listening to you

The aim of the initial consultation is to understand your presenting problem and inform you of what is causing (diagnosis) your discomfort. To achieve this, a detailed case history is taken (20 –30 minutes). It will cover the problem you have, previous injuries, general health, illness, life-style and family medical history.

Dress

At consult and follow-up appointments, you will be asked to undress down to your underwear (pants and bra) to allow for an accurate physical assessment. This allows the Osteopath to gather information related not only to the area of pain but also to other areas that may be contributing to your discomfort. You may bring along a vest top and shorts which you may wear if the osteopath no longer requires access to that area of your body.

Finding out more about your problem

The Osteopathic physical examination will involve looking (observing), soft tissue assessment (palpating) and joint motion testing. During the examination, the Osteopath will assess the area of pain and other related areas. The Osteopath will explain the findings and the diagnosis to you. If further examination or investigation is necessary, or Osteopathic treatment is considered to be unsafe, hands-on treatment will not be carried out.

Explaining The Findings

The Osteopath will tell you what the possible cause of your problem is, which is the diagnostic aspect of the consultation.

Osteopaths are fully trained in diagnosis and use many of the procedures employed by medical doctors. More specific clinical tests may also be carried out or a referral made if it is deemed necessary.

Helping you to feel better

Pain and disability often arise from other problems within the body. Therefore, the treatment will address the painful region and other areas that may appear to be unrelated. By improving how other areas of the body move, this promotes healing and health within your body.

Chaperone

Please feel free to bring a friend along.

More than technique

During your treatment, the Osteopath may use techniques such as; muscular stretching, repetitive joint motion (pulling or pushing motions) or constant pressure applied for long periods of time, to different areas of the body. The Osteopath may use other techniques including, the Joint Thrust Technique. This involves a very small sudden rapid movement applied to a joint. This results in the joint being separated for a few seconds (sometimes a click or pop is heard) which helps to improve the joint’s range of motion. It is important to remember that these are techniques used by Osteopaths, rather than Osteopathy itself.

Price

Initial consultation

£60.00

Ongoing treatment

£50.00

Registered with a number of different health care providers: BUPA, AXA & HSA

Cancellation Policy

Any appointment cancelled with at least 24 hours notice, will not incur a cancellation fee, which is usually the full cost of the treatment session.

Our Contribution

We are here to serve the community and therefore we offer two treatments for the price of one after the initial consultation for the following:

• Senior citizen on low income
• Full or part time students
• Professional performing artist between jobs
• If you are a member of the following:
  • British association of Performing Arts Medicine
  • One Dance UK
  • University College o London (UCL) Alumni

To qualify for this offer you will need to produce proof that you are involved professionally in the performing arts. You are in full or part time education, you belong to one of the above organisations or some form of documentation stating that you are on a low income.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Osteopathy is suitable for all ages, including during pregnancy. Common conditions that osteopaths may be able to help with are:

• Arthritic joint pain
• Postural imbalance
• Back Problems
• Pregnancy- helping your body to adapt
• Neck related headaches
• Musical instrumental related problems
• Jaw dysfunction

• Dance injuries
• All gym-related injuries
• Repetitive trauma related to work strain
• Arm and leg joint pain
• Muscular injuries

The information that you supply to any of the practitioners working at the clinic will be treated with the strictest of confidentiality, be that paper or electronic notes.

All documentation is kept in accordance with the data protection act and therefore, will not be supplied to any other person or organisation without your written consent.

If it is necessary to liaise with your General Practitioner or other medical persons, the matter will be discussed with you and you will be asked to provide written consent before any information is shared with other Practitioners.

Are You Sitting or Standing Comfortably?

The human body is designed for motion and not prolonged periods of sitting. Those of us who do not subscribe to working 24 hours 7 days a week, still spend a considerable amount of time sitting down. Be that traveling, watching TV or reading on the sofa.

If we can find the right position for our head, the rest of our body will follow and discover its own natural place. Poor posture puts pressure on the joints and soft tissue. It commonly causes pain in the neck, shoulders and in the lower back. If we can learn to be aware of how we feel in different positions, we can develop an innate sense of our bodies and instinctively adjust our stance. After a time, finding a comfortable position will become second nature.
 
The osteopathic postural care is designed to help you improve how you sit, stand and move. It also aims to promote relaxation.

Looking After Your Body Is The Best Investment You Can Make Today.

Regular Osteopathic assessments will not only make you feel good, it can help to keep your body healthy.

The stresses of everyday life can result in us not caring for our bodies sufficiently to promote health. Research suggests that a lack of regular exercise can lead to poor muscular tone which over time may lead to poor posture. There are many different stresses throughout the day, that have an impact on our bodies. Be that: how we sit at home and work. The stresses from the physical activities we use to keep healthy or from the demands of playing a musical instrument.

Regular hands-on treatment can make a big difference to the quality of your life. Especially for those people already living with ongoing back shoulder or hip problems.

The Goal of Regular Treatment

The aim of ongoing treatment is to actively promote health within your body. Many people agree with the statement, “Prevention is better than cure”. However, we live in a world that often promotes poor health, be that due to long working hours, poor sleep a diet high in sugar fat and salt or a lack of daily exercise.

What does it involve?

1. An opportunity to discuss any new health issues concerning you.
2. A detailed muscle and joint assessment and if necessary other none bone and joint (heart and lung) assessment.
3. Rhythmic joint and muscle stretching throughout your body to aid tissue health, joint motion and to address any problems as a result of the stresses of daily life.

How often should I have an Osteopathic health check-up?  
Similar to six monthly dental check-ups, a regular Osteopathic hands-on treatment can make a big difference to the quality of your life.
For more information, download our ongoing treatment leaflet from the download section.

Complaints Procedure Which We Hope You Will Never Need

In the unlikely instance of you being unhappy with our service, call the practice on 020 8752 0569, make an emergency appointment and we will see you as soon as possible free of charge. The practice will use its best endeavours to resolve your issue swiftly to your satisfaction

The Institute of Osteopathy is the professional body for osteopaths in the UK and exists to support, unite, promote and develop the osteopathic profession. The Institute represents two-thirds of UK osteopaths. If you are unhappy with our resolution you can contact them at email: http://www.iosteopathy.org/ or telephone 01582 488455.

Click to active other documents

• Osteopathy Information
• Treatment After Care
• Improving your Health
• Osteopathy Consent Form