FAQs • Osteopathy

WILL TREATMENT HURT?

Generally Osteopathic treatment does not hurt and is very soothing, however when your condition is acute or particularly painful, there can be some minor short-term discomfort which normally passes in the first 24-48 hours after treatment.

Advice is always given on ‘AfterCare’ to reduce these occurrences. Patients find that further treatments are much more comfortable and look forward to the relief and relaxation that treatment brings.

ARE THERE ANY RISKS?

Research has shown that Osteopathic treatment is one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment available and has very few risks.

We are always happy to discuss any concerns you may have regarding treatment and all Registered Osteopaths are covered by the required professional insurances.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?

This varies for each individual. Some patients will require as little as one or two treatments; however more chronic pain or complex conditions may require a course of treatment or regular maintenance.

Osteopathic treatment can significantly help back pain, especially if carried out within the first six weeks. We will always advise you on the approximate recovery time.

Classically the longer you have been in pain, the longer it will take to achieve results. So always seek treatment sooner rather than later, as early treatment is always preferable for any condition.

HOW CAN A RECURRENCE OF MY CONDITION BE PREVENTED?

This will depend upon the condition itself and your lifestyle. However, regular maintenance treatment may be advised, along with prescribed exercises and lifestyle advice.

OSTEOPATHY AND PATIENT PROTECTION

In 1993, Osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition under the 1993 Osteopaths Act. This culminated in the opening of the statutory register of osteopaths by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) in May 1998.

Only those individuals listed on the register are able to be titled as an Osteopath by law. The Registers monitor the academic and clinical standards of the accredited institutions, maintain a Code of Ethics and stand as the guardians for the protection of the general public. They also organise the compulsory practice insurance necessary for membership of the Registers.

Osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and manual treatment which is recognised by the British Medical Association (BMA) as a discrete clinical discipline. All osteopaths are trained to the same high rigorous standards, to recognise and treat many causes of pain and only those practitioners able to show that they are safe and competent to practice osteopathy are allowed onto the register.

All osteopaths have medical malpractice insurance and follow a strict code of conduct. Patients have the same safeguards as when they consult a doctor or dentist.