What Happens During My First Visit?

During your appointment, you will be seen by a fully qualified osteopath. The initial consultation usually takes up to 45 minutes. Osteopathy is a patient-centred system of healthcare that prioritises the patient’s needs. Therefore, your osteopath will ask you some specific questions about your problem and review your medical screening questionnaire. They may ask you further questions. Although some questions may seem unnecessary, the information gathered will help your osteopath make an accurate diagnosis and create a suitable treatment plan for you.

After you have shared your medical history, your osteopath will conduct a physical examination to diagnose your condition. We will ask you to perform simple movements while standing or sitting during the examination. Your posture, the quality of your movements, muscle balance, and other relevant clinical tests will help your osteopath make a provisional diagnosis. They will then explain the diagnosis to you and discuss a suitable treatment plan for you. We will inform you about the treatment’s potential benefits, risks, and realistic outcomes.

To effectively diagnose and treat your condition, your osteopath may need to examine other areas of your body that could be related to your problem. Therefore, we may ask you to undress to your underwear partially or fully. It is essential that you always feel comfortable, so please wear suitable underwear, or bring a pair of shorts, leggings, and/or a vest top with you to wear.

You are welcome to bring a friend or relation along to accompany you in the treatment room if you wish. A parent or guardian should accompany any person under 16 into the consultation.

If you have any concerns, then please tell your osteopath beforehand.

The treatment involves skilled manipulation of the spine and joints and massage of soft tissues. It is a hands-on approach that may vary from person to person, depending on the diagnosis. If the treatment is not appropriate for any reason, the reason will be explained to you, and a more suitable referral will be suggested.

Your osteopath may offer advice to support the benefits of your treatment and help you feel more comfortable between sessions. They may also suggest some simple exercises or stretches to complement the treatment, which will be demonstrated to you. If your osteopath recommends exercises, it is important to do them regularly and follow the plan they provide.

If your osteopath has advised you to refrain from exercise, sports, or hobbies, it is important to follow their advice until further notice.

We will discuss the number of treatment sessions needed, which will vary depending on your condition. For example, chronic low back pain may require several treatments, while an acute problem may only require one or two. Although the treatment is usually quite relaxing, it is important to understand that the injured area may be slightly uncomfortable afterwards. This discomfort is normal and should only be mild. It is not unusual to experience this for the first 24 hours, but following your osteopath’s advice will help minimise any discomfort.

Ensuring informed consent is our top priority, and we strive to make you feel comfortable and informed throughout the process. Please feel free to ask questions if you need clarification on any aspect of your consultation.

Most private health insurers cover our services. If you have private coverage, please check with your insurer to obtain an authorisation code that we’ll need to start your treatment.

If you have any questions or would like to speak with one of our practitioners before booking an appointment, they would be happy to talk with you on the phone.

Alternatively, please look through our frequently answered questions section (FAQ’s).