Fully Qualified Osteopaths

It takes 4 years of training to become an osteopath. There are 10 osteopathic education institutions awarding qualifications recognised by the General Osteopathic Council. All 3 of us graduated from the European School Of Osteopathy. It is mandatory for all osteopaths to complete 30 hours of continuing professional development per year.

All GOsC Registered

In 1993 under the Osteopaths Act, osteopathy became the first complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition. The GOsC is responsible for regulating the osteopathic profession in the UK & also for promoting & developing osteopathy. It has been given powers by Parliament to set standards of education & conduct & to maintain a register of those entitled to practise osteopathy.

Medical History

As osteopaths we consider each person as an individual. On your first visit we start by spending time taking a detailed medical history from you. This will include information about your reason for seeing us, whether you have a chronic history of pain or medical problems, medication, accident or trauma history, & about your lifestyle and general health. All of which helps us begin to understand the reason for your pain & work out which areas we need to examine.

Osteopathic Examination
& Diagnosis

For this you will be asked to undress to your underwear (if you feel more comfortable in a bikini or soft fabric shorts then that works for us too) & remember we have seen it all before ! We then normally ask you to perform a few simple movements, after which we use our highly developed sense of touch called palpation to assess areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain within your body. Once we have reached a diagnosis, it will be discussed with you and if osteopathic treatment is suitable it will be offered.

Treatment

The aims of our treatment are to help restore normal musculoskeletal stability and function, working with the body's ability to heal itself. The particular range of techniques each of us will use, will depend on your problem. Typically we will start a treatment by releasing and relaxing muscles and stretching stiff joints, using gentle massage and rhythmic joint movements. We may also carry out manipulation using short, quick movements to spinal joints (this isn't as scary as it sounds & makes up a very small percentage of the whole treatment.) Many patients decide that they would like to have periodic preventative treatments to avoid recurring problems.

Advice

Now that we have an understanding of whats causing your pain, we can often give advice for you to do between treatments, to help reduce the symptoms and improve your health and quality of life. This advice may include hot & cold treatment, simple stretches & improving your posture at home & at work. As how we look after or abuse our bodies on a day to day basis often relates to the amount of problems we will have.