Frequently Asked Questions

Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy which focuses on releasing tension in the body and treating or preventing health conditions. It involves massaging, stretching and moving my patients' muscles and joints.

I practice Cranial Osteopathy which is a gentler approach, which you can read more about in the next question.

Here is a description of Osteopathy from the Osteopathic Alliance which summarises the philosophy behind Osteopathy:

“Osteopathy is a philosophy of healthcare that acknowledges that the living body is a self-renewing, self-regenerating, self-recuperating system which maintains health constantly throughout life. Whenever that health-maintaining system is compromised, symptoms or disease could develop. Osteopathy is concerned with that which has compromised health rather than the resulting condition.

Osteopaths have been regulated by statute since 1993. They are trained to diagnose conventionally and also to use their hands to assess body function and dysfunction. This gives the osteopath uniquely sensitive information about the disability within the body and how this insight might be used to help restore health.

This is a helpful definition of Cranial Osteopathy from the Sutherland Cranial College Organisation. It perfectly summarises my approach to practicing Cranial Osteopathy.

"Cranial osteopathy is not different to osteopathy, it is the name given to a subtle and refined approach to osteopathy that follows all the principles of osteopathy, but that includes the anatomy and physiology of the head.

Cranial osteopaths use a highly trained sense of touch to feel subtle changes of tension and tissue quality in the living anatomy of the whole body, and to diagnose areas of strain or dysfunction.

The osteopath is often drawn to areas in the body that have been affected by past events, such as old accidents and injuries. The body may have learned to compensate for a traumatic event or injury and the patient may be unaware that there is anything wrong, but the effects may still be present and relevant to current symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment are intimately linked as the osteopath works to activate the innate ability of the body to heal itself, and by offering gentle and specific support where it is needed to bring the tissues into a state of balance and release, to restore it to health.

Using this approach, the osteopath learns to listen to and be guided by the body’s inner knowledge of what is wrong, which may be different to the patient’s opinion and the osteopath’s opinion. This helps the osteopath to understand and treat the cause of the symptoms, to reduce the chance of symptoms returning in the future."

• General, acute and chronic back pain

• Lumbago (low back ache)

• Sciatica

• Neck pain associated with posture

• Frozen shoulder, shoulder and elbow pain and tennis elbow arising from problems of the back and neck

• Headache arising from neck problems

• Migraine prevention

• Joint pains

• Pain from Osteoarthritis but always in addition to coaching and exercise programmes

• Minor sports injuries and tensions

• Arthritic and Rheumatic pain

• Circulatory problems

• Cramp and muscle spasms

• Fibromyalgia

• Generalised aches and pains

• Neuralgia

• Inability to relax

• General aches and pains in joints or the back during pregnancy and after delivery

• Cranial osteopathy can be helpful for infants, toddlers and children with a range of issues. Please contact to discuss further.

Yes I treat children of all ages from newborn through to late teens.

The only requirement is that children up to 16 years old should be accompanied by a responsible adult who can legally give permission for the child to receive treatment.

At your first visit the osteopath will take a full case history of your problem including your medical history to help determine what the cause of your problem might be.

Depending on your personal preference you might be invited to partially undress so that the area can be examined in more detail. This is always entirely optional.

After the examination I will explain what is wrong and then offer you treatment for your condition straight away if it is appropriate.

You are welcome to bring a friend or a relative with you to act as a chaperone during your examination and treatment if this makes you more comfortable.

This will depend on the type of condition you have, how long you have had it for, your lifestyle and how healthy you are, as all these factors can also affect rates of healing and recovery. 

Acute symptoms might only need a couple of treatments, but more chronic, long term problems might take up to 5 or 6 sessions, occasionally more.

At your first session I will talk. to you about the estimated number of treatments you will need.

The aim of a course of treatment would be to resolve the problem and equip you to self manage the return of any symptoms.

In some cases your management may require some additional input with maintenance visits. This would be worked out on a case-by-case basis, and we'd agree on the best interval between visits.

In some instances patients prefer to return for a session when they start to feel the return of symptoms but before the problem develops too far. 

Yes, you are always welcome to bring someone along to act as a chaperone during our sessions. You don't need to let me know in advance, but you can if you would like to.

There is never any obligation to undress during a treatment or examination. Sometimes I will ask if you are comfortable to undress so that I can examine an area in greater detail, but you are always welcome to say no.

Initial treatments and sessions in your treatment plans will be 1 hour long each.

If you are booking maintenance visits, you can book either 45 minutes or an hour. Prices for these can be found on the Pricing page.

In general, no. We always ensure any discomfort is kept at an acceptable level to you.

There may be some mild aching or a slightly "bruised" feeling after treatment. Many patients feel freer and more comfortable almost immediately.

Yes, as an Osteopath I am trained to screen for other health conditions. If I have a concern I will talk to you about it, and with your consent I am able to refer you directly to other health professionals for further investigations.

If further investigations or a referral is required, i will contact your GP if you agree.

I won't automatically contact your GP and only ever do so with your consent.

If at any time either during or after your treatment you feel uncomfortable or simply not happy with the service please make me aware and I will endeavour to resolve the issue at no extra cost to you. 

If you are still not satisfied with this, then you can notify our governing body, the General Osteopathic Council who will take your concerns seriously and investigate. 

Yes, Osteopathy is entirely safe for people with hypermobility. During our initial appointment please make me aware of this, and I will adjust any treatments accordingly.

Yes, Osteopathy is safe for people of any age, including babies at 1-2 weeks old.

Most newborns have tension in their body from their position in the womb and impact of their birth, which can go on to impact their development. Osteopathic treatment can help to release this tension and allow your baby to feel more comfortable and relax more easily.

I'd recommend starting Osteopathy from about 3 weeks after your C-Section. This gives your body some time to recover, before we begin to work together to release whatever tension it may still be carrying.

After a free discovery call where i have ascertained if you this is right and safe for you, I will send you contract and also a questionanire to fill out regarding the history of your complaint and some details about you and your personality. We will also arrange a number of sessions , ideally 6 to be taken over the following 2-3 months. You will also be given details of materials to start getting familiar with in order to understand more about chronic pain and why it happens. During the coaching sessions we will be working together to help you understand your pain and find the best mind body tools that help you as an individual to heal. After each session you will recieve email reminders of your next steps to keep you on track.