Osteopathy
Home-visit osteopathy across selected areas of London.
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a regulated healthcare profession focused on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal problems. In the UK, "osteopath" is a title protected by law, and every practising osteopath must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council.
The defining feature of osteopathic practice is that assessment isn't limited to the area that hurts. Pain in one place is often influenced by how you move, load and hold yourself elsewhere, so I'll look at the whole picture: your history, your work, your training, and how your body actually moves. That's what allows treatment to address what's driving the problem rather than only where you feel it.
Treatment is hands-on and combines a range of techniques, including soft tissue work, stretching, joint articulation and, where appropriate, manipulation. It's rarely the only thing we do. Most plans also include exercises to work on between appointments and practical advice about the activity and work factors involved, because that's what tends to hold the progress in place.
Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners, which means you don't need a referral from your GP to book an appointment.
What do osteopaths treat?
People come to me with a wide range of problems. Commonly these include:
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General, acute and chronic back pain
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Mechanical neck pain
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Headaches arising from the neck
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TMJ disorders
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Migraine prevention
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Sciatica
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Joint pains, including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis, alongside core treatments and exercise
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Arthritic and rheumatic pain
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Generalised aches and pains
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Muscle spasms and cramp
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Neuralgia
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Fibromyalgia
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Lumbago
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Minor sports and running related injuries
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Shoulder and elbow pain, including frozen shoulder and tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
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Tension and difficulty relaxing
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Tendon-related pain and tendinopathy
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Plantar heel pain / plantar fasciopathy
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Ankle sprains
If your problem isn't listed here, get in touch and ask. If osteopathy isn't the right route for you, I'll say so and point you towards someone better placed to help.
What to expect at your first appointment
Your first appointment runs for 60 minutes, which gives us plenty of time to work through the problem properly rather than rushing to treatment.
Case history.
We'll start by talking. You'll have time to describe what's going on in your own words, and I'll ask questions about how it started, what makes it better or worse, and how it's affecting your day-to-day life, including any activities, hobbies, work, exercise or training that are important to you. I'll also ask about your general health, past medical history and any medication you're taking, since these can be relevant to both the diagnosis and treatment.
If you take several medications, or they're not easy to recall, please bring a current medication list with you. If you've had any relevant scans or investigations, it's also helpful to have copies of the reports available if you have them.
Examination.
I'll look at how you move, assess the affected area and the regions around it, and feel for restriction, tension and sensitivity. Depending on what you've come in with, this may also include orthopaedic or neurological testing, and I'll always explain what I'm doing and why.
Explanation.
I'll tell you what I think is going on, in plain language, and talk you through the options. This is the part patients often say they've never had before, and it matters, because understanding your own problem makes the rest of it far easier.
Treatment.
Most people receive treatment on the first visit. What that involves depends entirely on you and your presentation. I draw on a broad range of hands-on techniques and select the ones your presentation calls for, explaining what I'm doing as I go. You're free to decline anything you're not comfortable with at any point.
A plan.
You'll leave with a clear idea of what happens next: any exercises to be getting on with, practical advice relevant to your situation, and a realistic sense of how many appointments are likely to be useful. If your problem would be better handled by a different healthcare provider, I'll refer you on for expert opinion.
What to wear and what I need
Wear something you can move comfortably in and that allows me to assess the relevant area. Shorts and a vest top, or leggings and a t-shirt, work well.
For home visits, I need a clear floor space of at least 9 foot by 7 foot (2.7 meters by 2.1 meters) to set up my treatment couch and work around it safely. Without that space I won't be able to treat you, so please check you have somewhere suitable before booking, and get in touch if you're unsure. A living room with a sofa pushed back is usually plenty.
Please have a couple of clean towels ready for the appointment in case needed.
You're welcome to have someone else present during your appointment, and you can ask for that at any point.
Age: I currently see patients aged 18 and over. For anyone under 18, I recommend seeking care from an osteopath experienced in treating children and young people.
Regulation
All osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council. Registration is renewed annually, and as part of that process the GOsC checks that each osteopath holds current professional indemnity insurance, meets mandatory continuing professional development requirements, and remains in good health and of good character.
It is against the law for anyone to describe themselves as an osteopath unless they are on the GOsC register. You can check my registration at www.osteopathy.org.uk.
