WHAT TO EXPECT & FAQS

During your first consultation (which will last around 45-60 minutes) one of our Osteopath’s will take a full case history (similar to that with any medical practitioner). They will ask how the symptoms began and the activities which affect them (i.e aggravating and relieving factors). A complete medical history will then be taken, and any current or previous illness and injuries will be noted. You will also be asked if you are taking any medications. All of this information will be treated as confidential and will be recorded in your notes.

We will then carry out an examination to reach a diagnosis. You will be asked to gently move and stretch so your posture and mobility can be observed. An orthopaedic, neurological or circulatory examination may be carried out, if necessary. MRI scans, X-rays, blood tests may also be required. You may not have seen your Doctor before your visit, so Osteopath’s are trained to identify any condition which might require other treatments or referral.

Depending on where the pain is, it is likely you will be asked to remove some of your clothing in order to examine the area/s affected. A towel will be provided, to make you feel more comfortable.

Finally we will explain our diagnosis and discuss a suitable plan for you. Treatment (following your consent) will then be carried out. This will range from soft tissue massage, articulation, manipulation, electro therapy (ultrasound and interferential), strapping/taping and medical acupuncture.

After your treatment, we will then provide advice to aid recovery and manage pain in-between appointments.

Follow-up treatments last 30minutes.

We will re-examine you and re-assess your current symptoms.  Depending on the outcomes of the first treatment and after discussing it with you, we may adjust our treatment plan and use different techniques if needed.

Once your treatment has come to an end, our team will prescribe exercises and discuss any lifestyle changes to allow you to benefit from the treatment and to prevent a recurrence of the injury.

You are more than welcome to bring someone with you. Anyone under the age of 16 should be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian.

Once the Osteopath has taken a detailed case history and examined you, if it is safe to do so, treatment will be offered at this appointment. If you require further investigations or tests the Osteopath will arrange these, before a course of treatment starts. 

A list of medication you take and any results of scans, x-rays or blood tests you have had recently, would be helpful.

Most patients feel a marked improvement after treatment. It is not unusual to then experience a treatment reaction and become more uncomfortable as the day goes on. This usually only happens after your first one or two treatments. The discomfort may last for a couple of days and is usually easily controlled (with painkillers, anti-inflammatories and heat/ice). The Osteopath will advise you on post-treatment self-help to minimise this reaction. 

The majority of  patients require 3-6 treatment sessions. Every patient responds differently and your osteopath will discuss with you the anticipated course of treatment, your prognosis and realistic expectations for recovery. In some cases where the problems being addressed cannot be expected to resolve (old injuries, structural changes) it may be recommended that treatment is given at regular intervals on a long term basis to maintain the function and keep symptoms at bay as far as possible.

In the hands of properly trained practitioners, dry needling techniques are very safe; certainly safer than many of the drug treatments we use. However, any procedure that involves inserting needles into the body can have some side effects: 

• Occasional discomfort where the needles are inserted
• Drowsiness and sleepiness
• Minor bleeding and bruising
• Temporary worsening of your symptoms
• Fainting
• Onset of a migraine headache, if you are a sufferer
• Feeling faint, during or after treatment

We walk with a wide range of health providers and our registration numbers are below:

AXA PPP- GH01665

AVIVA- 600025647

BUPA- 30032223

CIGNA- 115890

EXETER FRIENDLY - 2123898

GROUPAMA- 17319

HEALIX- OSTHAPPOOO

SIMPLY HEALTH- 332762

VITALITY- PRU3542955

WPA- 3374288

Chertsey Osteopathic Clinic accepts the following payment methods.

We accept all payment cards.

• We can accept cash
• Private medical insurance, you will need to provide us with an authorisation code and we will invoice the insurance company directly.
• Bacs
• Paypal.

Following the recent pandemic, Osteopaths have been advised to use their professional judgement, in discussion with patients, to determine whether face-to-face treatment is appropriate, taking into account the likely benefits and risks, and they explain these clearly, so you are able to give your informed consent.

The General Osteopathic Council are encouraging all Osteopaths to remain up-to-date with all public health statements and guidance issued in light of the recent outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Patients will be asked to wear a mask and apply hand sanitiser on arrival to the clinic. All members of the team are following Covid-19 guidelines.