Terms & conditions

Disclaimer

If you are seeing an osteopath for the first time, you may not know what to expect and could be feeling apprehensive and unsure. If you have any questions at any stage, feel free to ask and we will do our best to answer them, and allay any fears you may have.

NB: ALL children 16 or under MUST be accompanied at all times by an adult. 

Examination

Our practitioners are fully trained in diagnosis and adopt many of the procedures used in conventional medicine. The consultation begins with a thorough case history covering all the details of the current problem, general health, previous illness, lifestyle and family medical history. This is followed by a thorough physical examination including spine and posture. You may be asked to loosen clothing, or undress to your underwear in order to see possible restrictions in your range of movements.  If you feel uncomfortable with this, please bring a pair of shorts or leggings and a vest top.  

After the examination, you will be given an initial diagnosis, which will be explained fully to you and a suitable course of action will be discussed.  If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, then please do not hesitate to ask.

Treatment

As with all other health care professions, we are obliged to inform you of any risks which might result from treatment. Many types of therapists manipulate necks and on rare occasions this has resulted in stroke or spinal injury. These complications are extremely rare and only occur as a result of an underlying condition, which would usually be identified during case history or examination. Osteopaths in the UK treat millions of patients each year and none of these problems have been attributed to them.
Having read about the risks, you will be asked to sign this consent form.

It is important for you to know that you can withdraw your consent at any time. 

If there should be any form of treatment you prefer not to have, then please advise your practitioner before they begin.  Every part of the body influences another, which means that your osteopath may treat an area where you have no pain, this is normal, but if you feel uncomfortable at any stage then please inform your practitioner.

Having any physical therapy treatment whether for preventative care, rehabilitation, or managing a recent acute condition, usually involves some hands on treatment; this often leads to temporary side effects. It’s common to feel a little stiff or sore the next day following the initial treatment; this usually, lasts around 24-48 hours. Most people describe this as similar to ‘post exercise soreness’. It’s also common to feel tired or have a temporary headache after treatment.

Patients are allotted approximately 45 minutes for their first appointment and approximately 30 minutes for any follow up appointments. Allotted times are not fixed and your osteopath may spend more or less time during your appointment. Time spent on treatment is dependent on the complexity of the problem or how much can realistically be achieved on each visit. Time is also required for patient clinical notes, providing exercises if appropriate and advice.

If you are asked to do some exercises, please try to do these regularly and follow the plan set by your practitioner. If your practitioner has suggested withholding from exercise, there will be a reason for this and you should wait until advised otherwise. Keeping generally active is better than resting.

Please be aware that you will be responsible for all appointment fee payments or insurance excess payments, as well as non-attendance and late cancellation fee charges that may occur.

Cancellation Policy

Please be aware that if you are unable to attend an appointment you have made, or indeed no longer need the booking, we ask that you provide us with at least 24 hours’ notice.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice WILL be charged £30 and non-attendance or last-minute cancellations on the day will be charged at the full rate.

When appointments are cancelled with sufficient notice, it gives us the opportunity to offer them to patients in acute pain or on the waiting list.

All Practitioners are self-employed, so last-minute cancellations and no shows have a significant impact on their time and income.

We operate an email reminder service, on the day prior to your appointment.  If you would prefer a text reminder, please indicate this to the reception staff.