FAQ - EdOst

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a safe and effective form of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of health concerns. We look at the relationship between structure and function and aim to help your body find it's natural balance by working with the musculoskeletal system (that is the bones, joints and muscles).

We provide a treatment plan unique to you which usually involves hands on treatment, exercise and lifestyle advice.

Osteopathy is suitable for almost everyone, from babies to the elderly, from elite sports people to desk workers, pregnant women to manual labourers. We have a broad approach and will treat you according to your individual needs.

Osteopaths undergo extensive training and know when to refer you on appropriately if it is not something we can help with.

We treat neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, arm and leg pain, recurrent headaches, sports injuries and arthritic pain.

Rest assured you're in safe hands.

Do I need to be referred by my GP first?

You do not need to consult with your GP prior to seeking Osteopathic treatment in the UK.

What should I expect at my first consultation?

Your first appointment will involve a detailed case history to understand your story. We will ask lots of questions, and some may not seem directly related to the reason you came in, but it is an important part of making an accurate diagnosis.
We will then examine the areas of discomfort which means looking at how your body moves, feeling for areas of stiffness and if necessary we may do special tests such as checking your blood pressure or testing your reflexes.

What do I need to wear for my treatment?

To carry out a thorough examination we need to see the parts of the body we are treating, and this usually requires you to remove some clothing. You may feel more comfortable bringing shorts to wear, but please be assured we will strive to maintain your modesty at all times.
Everything will be explained clearly and you can ask questions at any stage during the process.

What treatment is carried out?

Ostopathic care usually involves hands on treatment. We use a variety of techniques. Soft tissue techniques include different types of massage and can range from gentle touch to firmer deep tissue massage. Articulatory techniques take your joints through a passive range of movement and are used to help improve the range and quality of motion available in the joint. Thrust techniques may be used to relieve pain and improve movement in an area, these are the techniques that can sometimes cause a clicking noise to come from the joints. Each technique will be clearly described and we will agree on a treatment plan using techniques you are comfortable with.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments you will need depends on a number of factors including your health and condition. The most appropriate treatment plan will be discussed in your consultation and our aim is to keep the number of appointments to a minimum. When it is thought your condition is unlikely to respond to osteopathic treatment, we will advise you on other possible options or look to refer you for more appropriate treatment or for further investigation.

Are the any side-effects to treatment?

Some soft tissue techniques may cause slight discomfort during treatment and you may feel post treatment tiredness or some tenderness for a day or two. However, this is a normal and healthy response to treatment. If this discomfort persists or feels excessive during or after treatment, do not hesitate to let me know.

Do you take Health insurance?

No, not at this time.

What should I do if I have concerns about the treatment I received?

If you have a complaint or concern about any aspect of your treatment, please let me know as soon as possible.

Please give me full details of your complaint and I will undertake to treat it seriously, deal with it promptly and learn from it by reviewing or, if appropriate, improving my standards.

Make your complaint to me either in person, by phone, by letter or in an email

(lorraine@edost.co.uk)

I will investigate your complaint during the following few days and will aim to:-

Find out what happened and what went wrong
Make sure you receive an explanation and an apology if this is appropriate
Identify what I can do to ensure that this problem does not arise again

Institute of Osteopathy Complaints Resolution Service

If you feel uncomfortable complaining directly to me or do not feel that your complaint has been resolved to your satisfaction, you can speak to the Institute of

Osteopathy by ringing Freephone 0800 110 5857 or emailing enquries@iOsteopathy.org

. General Osteopathic Council

If you are concerned about safety and you wish to instigate a formal complaint with the regulatory body, the General Osteopathic Council can be contacted on 0207 3576655. Please note that the General Osteopathic Council cannot award compensation.