Treatment

• Is osteopathy safe?

  Yes. Your osteopath has been trained to know that certain techniques should not be performed on certain patients. The osteopath will not do anything that puts you at risk. On rare occasions, an osteopath may decline to treat you for safety reasons and will refer you to an appropriate health person such as your GP.

• What osteopathic treatment helps?

  Osteopaths are manual therapists who treat the person rather than just the specific conditions. An example of this could be an injury to your knee might also affect the foot, hip and spine.

  Read more about How Osteopathy Can Help You

• Is there an age limit for osteopathy treatment?

  Osteopathy is suitable for people of all ages, from children to the elderly. All treatments are tailored to the individual’s age, health status, and specific needs.

• Are you registered?

  Osteopathy is recognised by the British Medical Association as a distinct care profession and regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. All osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council and have undergone 4 years of rigorous training and study to honours degree level. Osteopaths are trained to diagnose and treat patients. You are in safe hands.

• How much does it cost?

  Most osteopaths work in the private sector and this means you will need to pay for treatment. Fees vary on a number of factors including the amount of treatments you may require. On average osteopaths charge an initial consultation fee of around £65 and around £55 for subsequent sessions.

  See our Osteopath Appointments page for our latest prices and fees.

• Can I claim on health insurance?

  You probably can as most major private health insurance providers provide cover for osteopathic treatment. You will need to ask your insurance company about the level of cover available and whether you need to be referred for treatment first by your GP or a specialist and whether your osteopath is covered by that particular company.

• How many treatments will I need?

  This depends on many factors such as the nature of your problem, your age, your lifestyle and how long you have had the condition. The average number of visits is between three to six.

• Will I have to undress?

  You will be asked to dress down to your underwear if you are happy to do so. This allows the osteopath to examine you globally and consider the relevance of different parts of the body. Any concerns you have about this will be respected. For more information see the page – Your visit

• What should I wear?

  The osteopath will need to be examine and treat your spine, it is best to wear clothing that does not cover too much of your back. Normal underwear is quite sufficient for the purposes of treatment.

  Ideally  please bring something I can examine you in.eg shorts / leggings strappy top for ladies if the upper body.
  Also could you please bring a “towel” plus a list of any medications.

• Will the treatment hurt?

  No. It shouldn’t. You may occasionally experience a little discomfort during the treatment, but any time you feel uncomfortable and want the osteopath to stop, you are encouraged to do so. Everything during your treatment happens only with your consent.

• Can I bring someone with me?

  If you wish, you may bring a chaperone throughout your consultation and treatment.

  Read more about visiting the clinic here 

• Is osteopathy available on the NHS?

  At present access to osteopathy on the NHS is very limited, but support continues to increase as authorities recognise the benefits of osteopathy.

• Will I need a GP referral?

  There is no need for a GP referral to the Hadleigh Osteopathy clinic, you can book directly with us. Once you have been examined and a case history taken, it may be necessary to refer you to your GP for further evaluation before a diagnosis and treatment is undertaken or if treatment is not possible for any medical reasons.

• How do I book an Appointment?

  You can book an appointment by calling our clinic during office hours. We are ready to take your call.

  See the appointments page for details or select a slot out of hours using the calendar.

• I have a question that isn't listed here...?

  If you have a question that isn’t answered above please use the contact us page to get in touch.

About Osteopathy

• Is osteopathy Regulated?

  Osteopathy is regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), which maintains a register of practitioners. Only practitioners on the register may practise as an osteopath, thereby maintaining standards and ensuring safety of the public.

• What is Osteopathy?

  Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment, using a variety of manual methods, which focuses on how well the body functions in relation to its structure. If the structure of the body [i.e. skeleton, muscles, ligaments connective tissues etc] is impaired, then it is unable to function efficiently and this usually leads to pain.

  Read more about How Osteopathy Can Help You

• What are the Aims of Osteopathy?

  Osteopaths seek to restore the movement of the joints and the body to aid its inherent ability to heal itself. Improving the mechanics of the body influences other areas, such as the blood and nerve supply, lymphatic drainage as well as the activity of the internal organs For this reason Osteopaths can not only treat the common problems such as joint and muscle strains, but may also help relieve pain and other symptoms associated with arthritis, headaches, asthma, menstrual and digestive problems.
  When the body is in balance and moving efficiently, just like a well-tuned engine, it will function with the minimum of wear and tear, leaving more energy for living.

• What are the strengths of Osteopathy?

  One of the main strengths of osteopathy is the unique way the patient is assessed. We do this by carefully examining the patient’s mechanical, functional and postural abilities, always remembering how each part of the body is interrelated. We also view the patient holistically, taking into account all aspects of the patient’s lifestyle.
  Osteopaths also use a highly trained sense of touch, called palpation, to identify areas of restriction, joint mobility, tissue tension and quality.

• When was Osteopathy developed?

  Osteopathy was first developed and introduced by Dr A T Still in the 1870`s in Mid-West America and later brought to England in the early 1900`s. From its early introduction into Britain, Osteopathy has gained wide acclaim for its holistic approach to patient care and its success in treating many musculoskeletal conditions.

• I have a question that isn't listed here...?

  If you have a question that isn’t answered above please use the contact us page to get in touch.