Common questions
about osteopathy

This is a common perception of Osteopathy, and I certainly do see a large number of patients who are suffering from back pain. However, Osteopathy is a very broad discipline focusing on how the whole body functions, including bones, muscles, tendons, nerves and joints. This means I also treat a wide range of musculoskeletal pain and injuries beyond just back pain, such as neck pain, shoulder pain, and many more.

I help patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain anywhere in the body: the back, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles. This includes minor sports injuries. I also help patients with headaches arising from the neck, migraine prevention, arthritic pain, rheumatic pain, neuralgia and other nerve-related pain such as sciatica. If you’re unsure if I can help with your specific problem or injury, please do reach out to me. I’d be happy to advise, or point you in the right direction if it’s not something I can help with.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) includes manual therapy such as Osteopathy as part of its recommended treatment guidelines for low back pain and sciatica. More broadly, modern osteopathy is well supported by research across a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. There are organisations dedicated to developing the evidence base for Osteopathy such as the National Council for Osteopathic Research (NCOR).

Osteopathy is generally considered a safe and effective form of treatment. Research has shown that serious complications are exceptionally rare. There are some mild side-effects that can occur after treatment. I’ll explain these and what to expect before we start.

Osteopathy and Physiotherapy both aim to restore function, movement and overall musculoskeletal health. Their difference is in their philosophies and approaches. Osteopaths typically look at how the whole body is functioning, not just the site of pain, and use hands-on manual therapy techniques with the aim to address the underlying cause. Physiotherapists, while also being able to apply hands-on treatment, typically prescribe targeted rehabilitation exercises to the injured area. Both can work very well and if you’re unsure if Osteopathy is the right fit, feel free to get in touch.

There are a lot of similarities between Osteopaths and Chiropractors. Both treat the same types of conditions. Typically, Chiropractors tend to focus more on restoring function through the spine, whereas Osteopaths tend to look at how the whole body is working together to improve overall health and movement. In practice, this might mean I assess your hip, back and foot when your knee is the problem because I believe how the body is working as a whole matters.

During the first appointment, I’ll start with an in-depth talk about your problem. I’ll then conduct a thorough examination that includes movement assessment and clinical tests to ensure I reach an accurate diagnosis. I will discuss what I think is going on and how I can help, then propose a treatment plan. This includes treatment in your first session, and where appropriate, I’ll also give exercises and advice. You can read more about how my first appointments work here.

The “popping”, “cracking” or “clicking” sounds, also known as joint cavitation, occur when quick, gentle force is applied through a joint, causing a pressure drop that releases dissolved gases in the joint fluid. It is the same process as cracking your knuckles. I use these joint manipulation techniques when I feel they are clinically beneficial and this is only ever with your consent. If you prefer I use different techniques, then I will adapt treatment choices to suit your preferences.

It is rare for Osteopathic techniques to hurt. In fact, I often receive comments from patients surprised at how gentle the treatment was. I do not believe in a “no pain, no gain” philosophy. Treatment should aid recovery, not impede it. Some discomfort may occur during treatment, but I will be checking with you at all times to ensure you are comfortable. If you want to stop treatment at any point, then we will. I can adapt the approach if needed.

Patients sometimes feel soreness, discomfort or stiffness after an osteopathic treatment. This is a result of your body responding after the session. Research suggests this affects around half of patients, and usually lasts 24-48 hours. I will inform you of this at your appointment and also provide some aftercare advice to help manage any post-treatment reactions you may experience. If you’ve already had treatment and are concerned, please do get in touch.

Every person is different, and no two people, even with the same problem, will recover in the same way. For simple musculoskeletal complaints and injuries, I typically see resolution within 4-6 treatments. Complex or long-standing conditions may require additional sessions. My goal is to help you recover as quickly as possible, and I will not keep you coming back unnecessarily, or sign you up to lengthy treatment plans. We’ll take it a few sessions at a time and reassess to ensure we’re on the right track. If meaningful progress isn’t made in the first few sessions, either our plan will change, or I’ll refer you to another professional as necessary.

I recommend you wear comfortable, loose and flexible clothing such as gym wear or joggers and t-shirts for your osteopathy appointment. Part of my assessment process is looking at your movement, so restrictive clothing such as jeans is not recommended. Occasionally I may need to ask that you remove an item of clothing for assessment or treatment, so I’d also recommend a sports bra for women and bringing a pair of shorts in case I need you to change. If you’re uncomfortable removing any clothing, please do let me know and I can work around this.

All Osteopaths in the UK are primary healthcare professionals and have to undertake years of comprehensive training at university level to achieve this qualification. This includes training in physiology, anatomy, neurology, pathology, clinical reasoning skills and hands-on technique training. I hold an M.Ost degree in Osteopathy. Like all registered Osteopaths, I completed 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training as part of my studies.

The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) are the statutory regulatory body governing the practice of all Osteopaths in the UK. Their role is to protect the public and ensure high-quality and safe care is provided at all times. By law, anyone working as an Osteopath in the UK must be registered with the GOsC. To maintain registration, I undertake continuing professional development to ensure I am keeping up to date with the latest research and best practices. You can verify any practitioner’s registration on the GOsC register. My GOsC registration number is 10852.

You do not need a formal referral from your GP to see an Osteopath. Since Osteopaths are primary healthcare professionals, you can simply book an appointment directly with me, whether or not your GP has recommended Osteopathy.

My fees depend on which clinic you attend. A new patient consultation fee starts at £65 and a return starts at £59. You can see more information on my fees page. While I do not deal with insurance companies directly, many policies and cash plans cover Osteopathic treatment. I recommend you contact your insurer to make sure they will cover you for Osteopathy. I’ll provide a receipt after each appointment for insurance claims.