As a health care practitioner I have certain legal obligations required by our regulatory body the GOSC (General Osteopathic Council) where we need to complete a medical history and full assessment before I can give a diagnosis. What does this mean to you as a patient?

When you book your first initial appointment, if you have never seen me before or not in the last 2 years, I allow an hour (£65) to do the history and assessment, asking you medical and lifestyle questions as well as why you have come in to see me. This helps me give a clear diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment.

After this, I look at how you move, your posture and what movements aggravate the pain. Some of this may be you moving your self and some of it maybe me moving something for you (we call this passive movement). These can tell me about what your soft tissues and joints are doing and which maybe more involved.

I also use something called palpation, which is essentially touch. I am looking with my hands. Using touch to sense the quality of the tissue and tightness and see what feels tender or painful. On occasion, I may feel that you actually need to see your GP for further investigation and I may not be the right place for you.

When all this has been completed and I explain what I is happening, then if it is suitable to treat you then I use a mix of soft tissue massage and articulation of your joints to reduce tension and stretch muscles and relive pain. Telling you as I go what I am doing and why.

I also advise on rehab exercises and lifestyle advice relating to work environment, posture or daily activities and exercise training. Everything that you discuss with me in your session is entirely confidential, your expectation of confidentiality with me is the same as that of your medical doctor.

If it is necessary for you to have follow up appointments these take 30-40mins (£55). I always discuss what your aims are and what you are looking for in terms of treatment and your expectations of appointments. Generally people benefit from between 2-6 appointments for acute issues that have come on within the last 3 months. These are usually reviewed as we go and I would never suggest a course of block booked appointments because everyone is different and not everyone requires the same number of appointments even for the same issue.

Prices correct for July 2024