Do I need a referral from my GP? 

Can I claim through my private health insurance?

Is osteopathy safe during pregnancy? 

Can I go for an osteopathic check-up? 

Can osteopathy cure my arthritis? 

What training will my osteopath have undertaken and how are osteopaths regulated?  

How many treatments will I need? 

What is the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?

 The simple answer to this is no, although many patients are referred to  osteopaths by their GP.  At times it may be necessary for your osteopath to  communicate with your doctor to request further investigations (e.g. MRI  scans, X-Rays) or further information regarding your medical history.  This will only be done with your written consent.  If you wish, your osteopath may  also write to your doctor to inform him that you have had osteopathic  treatment and give details of the diagnosis and outcome.

 Can I claim through my private health insurance?

 The osteopath is registered with most private health care insurers including AXA PPP.  However,  some insurance plans will only pay for treatment if their client has been  referred to an osteopath by their GP.  For this reason you should check with  your insurer for the details of your policy.  

 Is osteopathy safe during pregnancy?

 Yes.  During pregnancy the body has to adapt to a rapid change in weight  bearing and posture, which can sometimes give rise to pain and discomfort.   Osteopathic treatment is able to relieve many of these aches and pains, while  at the same time, gently encourage the process of adaptation, thus allowing a  more enjoyable and healthy pregnancy. 

 Can I go for an osteopathic check-up? 

 Yes.  As children and young adults our body’s ability to adapt to poor posture  and minor injuries is very good.  As the body matures, its reservoir of  compensation begins to run dry and this is when we begin to notice small  aches and pains or fail to recover from a minor trauma in the way we once  used to.  For this reason, osteopathic check-ups can be valuable at any age, so  that postural imbalances can be addressed early before they lead to  degeneration in a joint(s) that will become a problem in later life. 

 Can osteopathy cure my arthritis? 

 Nobody can reverse the process of ageing.  However, osteopathic treatment  using gentle, manual techniques on joints, muscles and ligaments may often  ease pain, reduce swelling and improve the mobility and range of joint  movement.  Pain control is an important part of treatment and the osteopath  can give guidance on simple self-help methods to use at home.  

 What training will my osteopath have undertaken and how are osteopaths regulated?

 By law all osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council   http://www.osteopathy.org.uk/. To be on this register an osteopath has to have trained at an accredited college or university.  These days this means completing a four or five year degree course, covering general anatomy, physiology and pathology as well as specialising in osteopathic principles and  techniques.

 In line with doctors, osteopaths must prove on an annual basis that they have  completed a mandatory number of hours of learning (called Continued  Professional Development) in order to keep their knowledge and skills up to  date.

 They must also satisfy the Criminal Records Bureau annually that they are of  suitable character to treat patients in a potentially vulnerable situation and  must be covered by Professional Indemnity Insurance.

 How many treatments will I need?

 The number of treatments required depends entirely on your condition. When  you attend for your initial assessment, the osteopath will normally be able to  give you a guide as to how many treatments you need. In cases such as  osteoarthritis, people may visit their osteopath several times a year for  maintenance treatment, whilst others who suffer with simple back pain may  only need 1 or 2 treatments.

 What is the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?

 Historically this is a political answer relating to the founder of osteopathy, Dr  Andrew Taylor Still, falling out with his student, D.D. Palmer, who then went on to be the founder of chiropractic. Nowadays, the differences between us are little with many osteopaths working like chiropractors and vice versa. From an  academic point of view, the training is almost identical now, being over five years and both healthcares are fully regulated by statute law. The principle working difference that we have gleaned from our patients'  experience,  has informed us that osteopathy tends to involve more rhythmical and gentler  techniques (less spinal manipulation that can produce “the popping sound”) over consultations that last a little longer and are fewer in number. Also, osteopaths tend to work on a wider area of the body rather than concentrating primarily on the spine and pelvis.