Frequently Asked Questions

Your Questions, Answered

How should I prepare for my first treatment?

Once your appointment has been booked, it is useful to keep a note of your symptoms, anything that helps or aggravates the problem, and symptoms of any other health issues - it's useful to be able to see if there is a correlation. It is also helpful to see the results of scans and tests. These are often sent electronically now and you can forward them to me by email or whats app if you want to, or you can show them to me on your phone at your appointment. If you have any paperwork eg letters relating to your complaint please bring them with you. If you are bringing a child it's very helpful to see the birth discharge notes and red book.

I will contact you the day before with a reminder of your appointment time. If you are coming to my clinic, I'll also send directions and parking instructions. If I am coming to you I'll ask about parking and access - I will be bringing a portable couch and it's helpful to know whether there are stairs etc.

It's best to wear loose comfortable clothing, eg leggings or shorts and a T shirt. I might need to ask you to undress partially to be able to assess the problem area properly. You are welcome to bring a chaperone, and all children under 16 and vulnerable adults must have a chaperone present in the treatment room. I am happy to help remove shoes, socks etc if it is difficult for you, and help you put them back on at the end of the treatment.

I usually avoid undressing babies but sometimes need to see the shape of the spine, if this is necessary the baby will be dressed again straight afterwards. if you need to feed or change your baby during the appointment that's absolutely fine.

If you are running late for your appointment please do not get stressed - take your time and drive carefully.

What should I expect from my first session?

We will start by going over a comprehensive case history, including details of medication, dates of accidents, injuries, operations etc. You might find it easiest to make a list of these before you come. Then I will assess you, starting with a standing examination where I look at your posture and ask you to do some basic movements. I may need to perform some specific tests eg reflexes, sensation testing. As I go along I will explain what I'm doing and my findings, which make up my working diagnosis. Then I will treat you, using a range of osteopathic techniques, which may include massage, lymphatic drainage, joint mobilisation, and concentric and eccentric muscle stretches; cranial osteopathy; or reiki or rahanni if you have specifically asked for these. All of the treatments I do are very relaxing and you might fall asleep, don't worry if this happens! Afterwards there will be time for you to "come round", have a drink of water and discuss anything that came up during treatment. You should not do any strenuous exercise after your treatment.

With babies and children the assessment and treatment are gentle and done with the child's cooperation. Once babies are sitting or moving around I tend to adapt to them although occasionally I do need to have them lying still on the couch and may need help with distracting them. The aim is for the treatment room to be a calm, welcoming place and for children to be relaxed and enjoy their treatment. With babies treatment is very gentle and it might not look like I'm doing much, but very gentle manipulation helps the body to right itself. I sometimes treat the mother with the child especially in cases of a very difficult birth or neonatal period.

Is treatment suitable for anyone?

Yes - I have treated all ages in the past. Treatment is especially beneficial for babies and children, and I am especially passionate about helping older patients to maintain good mobility and improve their quality of life. However, everyone can benefit from these treatments.

Are there any conditions you can't treat?

As a Registered Osteopath I'm trained to diagnose conditions relating to the musculoskeletal system and this includes spotting conditions that need medical attention. If I think you would be better off seeing a doctor or another healthcare professional I will tell you and help you find appropriate help. If you have a suspected fracture, back pain plus bowel or bladder dysfunction, signs of tissue infection, shortness of breath or chest pain then you should seek medical attention. Otherwise, there are not many problems that osteopathy can't help. Generally, energy healing therapies like Reiki and Rahanni are not considered safe for people who have epilepsy or have a pacemaker fitted. Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar after treatment.

how can you help animals?

Reiki and Rahanni are very calming and healing for animals, who are more sensitive to the subtle energies involved. However, I am not trained to diagnose veterinary problems or assess teeth, feet or equipment (eg bits or saddles). What I do best is dealing with issues that won't resolve following illness, operations etc; failure to thrive, grief following the loss of a companion, difficulty settling into a new home, family, yard or herd, resource guarding and other minor behavioural problems that can reduce the animal's quality of life and their owner's enjoyment of them. I sometimes also treat the owner and the location at the same time but that is included in the animal's treatment. Animals do not usually need more than one or two sessions.