Your Questions About Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a regulated form of healthcare in the UK and is suitable for people of all ages. Your osteopath will assess your individual needs and adapt their approach accordingly.

To practise as an osteopath in the UK, osteopaths must complete an approved degree and register with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), which regulates the profession and sets the standards osteopaths are required to meet.

Osteopaths are trained to assess your symptoms, identify whether osteopathic care is appropriate and develop a treatment plan based on your individual needs.

Osteopathy has been recognised as an Allied Health Profession within NHS England since 1 April 2017. Osteopaths are regulated by the GOsC, rather than the HCPC.

Osteopaths assess and treat problems affecting the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, joints and connective tissues.

Your appointment begins with understanding your symptoms, medical history and individual circumstances. This is followed by an appropriate physical assessment before discussing the treatment options available to you.

Treatment may include hands-on techniques, movement advice, exercises and practical guidance to help you manage your symptoms.

People seek osteopathic care for a wide range of musculoskeletal problems.

This can include back and neck pain, joint discomfort, muscle tension, sports-related problems, shoulder or elbow pain, and discomfort associated with posture or everyday activities.

Everyone is different, so I will always assess your individual symptoms and circumstances before discussing whether osteopathic treatment may be appropriate for you.

No. You do not need a GP referral to book an appointment with an osteopath.

You can contact me directly to arrange an appointment. If you take regular medication or have recently had medical investigations or tests, it can be helpful to bring a list of your medication and any relevant results or reports to your first appointment.

That’s absolutely fine. An important part of an osteopathic assessment is identifying whether osteopathic care is appropriate for your symptoms.

If I feel that you would benefit from seeing your GP or another healthcare professional instead, I’ll explain why and recommend that you seek the appropriate care. Your wellbeing comes first.

Your first appointment is an opportunity for me to understand what has brought you in, how your symptoms are affecting you and what you would like help with.

I’ll ask about your current symptoms as well as any relevant medical history, previous injuries, illnesses and lifestyle factors. I’ll then carry out a physical assessment, looking at your body as a whole while paying particular attention to the areas causing you discomfort.

Once the assessment is complete, I’ll explain my findings and talk you through the options available to you. Where appropriate, treatment may take place during your first appointment.

Your treatment plan will be tailored to you and may include hands-on treatment alongside advice such as exercises, movement guidance or ergonomic recommendations.

For some parts of the assessment, you may be asked to undress to your underwear so that I can properly assess your movement and posture. Wearing comfortable clothing such as shorts and a sports top can make this easier. I’ll always explain what I need to assess and why, and your comfort and dignity will be respected throughout the appointment.

Where appropriate, treatment may take place during your first appointment. I’ll first carry out an assessment and discuss my findings with you before deciding on an appropriate approach. If I feel that further medical assessment is needed before treatment, I’ll explain this to you.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move easily. Depending on what needs to be assessed, you may be asked to undress to your underwear, so shorts, leggings, a vest top or sports top can be useful options.

Yes. You’re welcome to bring a friend or family member if you’d like someone there for support. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Treatment is adapted to you and your comfort level.

Some techniques may involve pressure, stretching or movement, and you may notice some temporary tenderness following treatment. I’ll explain what I’m doing throughout your appointment and encourage you to tell me if anything feels uncomfortable so that we can adapt the approach.

There isn’t a set number of appointments that everyone needs.

The number of appointments depends on your symptoms, your individual circumstances and how you respond to treatment. I’ll explain what I recommend after your assessment and review your progress as we go.

This depends on you and the reason you’re seeking treatment. After your assessment, I’ll discuss whether further treatment would be useful and, if so, how frequently I recommend coming back. Your treatment plan can change as your symptoms and needs change.

Everyone responds to treatment differently. You may feel relaxed or notice a change in your symptoms after treatment. Some people experience mild, temporary soreness or tenderness.

I’ll explain what you might expect after your appointment and may recommend exercises, movement advice or other self-care strategies to support you between appointments.

Yes. Depending on your individual needs, I may suggest exercises, movement advice, posture guidance or ergonomic changes that you can incorporate into your everyday routine. The aim is to give you practical tools that can support you between appointments.

Osteopathic care can be adapted for babies and children, with an approach appropriate to their age, development and individual needs.

I’ll first discuss your child’s health, development and the reason you’d like them assessed before carrying out an appropriate assessment.

Babies do not necessarily need to lie still during an appointment. They may feed, sleep, move around or need a break, and parents or carers can stay involved throughout.

Pregnancy brings significant physical changes, and some people seek osteopathic care for musculoskeletal discomfort during this time. If you’re pregnant and considering osteopathy, I’ll take your stage of pregnancy and individual circumstances into account when assessing you and planning any treatment.

We’ll begin by discussing your child’s health, development and any concerns you may have. I’ll then carry out an appropriate assessment adapted to their age and comfort.

I’ll explain what I’ve found and discuss the appropriate options with you. If I feel that your child’s symptoms require further assessment by another healthcare professional, I’ll explain this and recommend that you seek appropriate medical advice.

Some private health insurance policies cover osteopathic treatment, but this depends on your individual policy and insurer.

If you are planning to use private medical insurance, I recommend contacting your insurer before your appointment to check whether osteopathy is covered and whether you need pre-authorisation or a referral. Please let me know in advance if you intend to use your insurance.

If you take regular medication, it’s helpful to bring a list of your current medications. You should also bring any relevant information about recent medical tests, investigations, diagnoses or previous injuries that may help me understand your situation.

You can book an appointment online or get in touch if you’d like to discuss your symptoms before booking.