What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that lays its main emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It is distinctive in the fact that it recognises much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease.
It uses many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. Its main strength however lies in the unique way the patient is assessed from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint and the manual methods of treatment applied to suit the needs of the individual patient.
Osteopaths use their hands both to investigate the underlying causes of pain and to carry out treatment using a variety of manipulative techniques. These may include muscle and connective tissue stretching, rhythmic joint movements or high velocity thrust techniques to improve the range of motion at a joint.
In 1993 osteopathy became the first major complementary health care profession to be accorded statutory recognition under the 1993 Osteopaths Act. Only those practitioners trained to the same high rigorous standards and able to show that they have been in safe and competent practice of osteopathy will be allowed to remain on the statutory register. All osteopaths need to have medical malpractice insurance and to follow a strict code of conduct. Patients have the same safeguards as when they consult a doctor or dentist.
Our osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council and members of the Institute of Osteopathy (iO). As Registered Osteopaths they undertake regular courses in areas of interest as part of continued professional development (CPD).
How can osteopathy help me?
Osteopathy provides an integrative assessment and treatment approach, centred around you and your needs. Everyone is different; we are all individuals and whilst people may share similar characteristics, we walk differently, we are built differently, eat differently, and enjoy our time differently. We aim to find and treat the root cause of your problem and how that is affecting you as a whole. We treat the person, not just the problem.
Commonly treated symptoms
Treatment cost
Initial treatment (60 mins) £70
Follow-up treatments (30 mins) £55
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at my first appointment?
We will take a comprehensive case history to determine how we can help you. This will include information about your current problem, past medical issues and general health. We will then carry out a series of observations with you standing and lying on the treatment couch.
Do I need to get undressed?
Yes. Most of the time you will need to remove some garments. This may be just shirt or blouse and/or skirt or trousers. We encourage patients to bring shorts or leggings if they feel more comfortable. We will also use towels if required.
How many sessions will I need?
This will depend on many things, such as whether it’s an old (chronic) or new (acute) problem, your general health, any underlying health problems, lifestyle, etc. Needless to say we aim to have you back to where you want to be, as quickly as possible. The quicker we get you back on track, the happier you and our team are.
Will it hurt?
We aim to make the treatment sessions as enjoyable as possible. However, there may be some discomfort and tiredness after treatment, but this tends to subside relatively quickly. We will also discuss this with you at the end of the session.
What if you can't fix my problem?
If we feel that treatment is not appropriate, we will discuss your potential options and point you in the right direction. This may involve onward referral to your GP, consultants or other therapists. We won’t leave you without options.
Stop living with pain – call us now to book an appointment on 01225 333 166
Our Practitioners
At Oldfield Osteopathic Clinic you can be confident that you are in well-trained hands. All of our practitioners are registered professionals. When you make an appointment, you’ll be in safe hands.
