Frequently Asked Questions

As with any healthcare appointment, it may be necessary for your osteopath to ask you to remove some clothing. This is to allow us to appropriately evaluate your condition and palpate the areas of your body which may be causing your pain and discomfort. Please wear comfortable clothing, such as shorts and leggings and a t-shirt or close-fitting garments, that will enable us to work effectively. If you do feel uncomfortable dressing down, please do discuss this with us and we will try to accommodate your preferences without limiting your treatment.

Osteopathic evaluation and treatment is often a very gentle and rhythmic process. However, you may experience some discomfort and pain during your evaluation as we identify structures which may be causing your pain. Treatment is usually a gentle process but can cause mild pain and post-treatment soreness. We will inform you if we think that the treatment techniques used during your consultation are likely to be uncomfortable and will provide you with self-care strategies to mitigate against this. However, if any of the treatment techniques make you feel uncomfortable, please let us know and we can adapt or stop the technique.

Most patients report a significant improvement in pain levels and function after treatment. It is not unusual for patients to then experience a post-treatment reaction and become more uncomfortable and stiff as the day progresses. This discomfort usually lasts 24-48 hours before symptoms improve again. This is often easily controlled with painkillers, anti-inflammatory medication and the use of local hot and cold treatment. We will provide you with post-treatment self-help advice to minimise this reaction. 

Initial Osteopathy appointments and Sports Massage appointments are 45 - 60 minutes. Follow-up Osteopathy appointments are 30 minutes. 

This very much depends on your injury and needs. Some patients require minimal treatment, others benefit from regular treatment. On average 3 to 6 treatments will make a significant difference to your levels of pain and function.  

Most health care policies cover osteopathy and many do not require a referral to see your osteopath. However, please do check with your health insurance provider first. Please enquire for our full list of insurance registrations.

No, you do not need to see or be referred to us by your GP. However, it is encouraged to keep your GP fully informed of your condition or symptoms, so that your health records are current and complete. This will ensure you receive the best possible treatment and care from both healthcare professionals. 

As part of your case history and health screening we will take time to ask you questions about your symptoms to help rule out anything worrisome or sinister causing your pain. 

Occasionally we may diagnose an issue that they are unable to treat and may refer you to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional. With your permission, we may send a report or referral letter to your GP detailing your condition and treatment so you can gain access to additional evaluation, investigations and suitable treatment. 

You are more than welcome to bring someone with you. Anyone under the age of 16 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a legal parent or guardian. 

Once we have taken your case and health history and performed your evaluation, if it is safe to do so, treatment will be offered at this appointment. If you require further investigations or tests we will arrange these, before a course of treatment is started. 

It is often very helpful to bring a list of medications you take and any results of scans, x-rays, MRI's or blood tests you have recently had.