All Osteopaths in the UK by law must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). The GOsC is the statutory body set up to regulate Osteopathy after the passing of the Osteopaths Act by parliament in 1993. Anyone calling themselves an osteopath who is not registered with the GOsC is breaking the law.

Osteopathy can help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. There are many techniques, which are designed to reduce the pain and discomfort of the joints, muscles, and ligaments and to improve the quality and range of movements. Osteopaths can also advise how these problems can be kept at bay in the short and long term using treatment, exercises and nutritional advice.

Joints can become restricted and limit range of movement. Osteopathic manipulation strives to improve the amount and quality of movement within joints not “put the joint back into place”. The idea of putting something back into place is a misconception. Spinal joints out of place would be a very serious injury, and would certainly mean hospitalisation and not a visit to the osteopath. Another common misconception is that spinal discs “slip” out of place, the so called “slipped disc”. Spinal discs can be injured but not slipped. Osteopathic treatment can help disc injuries; treatment is applied to help the tissues to return to a more normal healthy state.

Manipulations are not dangerous if performed by a qualified and experienced osteopath. Manipulations generally do not hurt and form only a small part of the general treatment that you will receive. Often manipulation is used to improve joint movement but there are a variety of other techniques that osteopaths use as well as or instead of manipulation to bring this about. All good osteopaths will inform the patient what they are doing as the treatment progresses, and should the osteopath need to manipulate he will apply his skill and feedback from both the patient and the bodies reaction to decide whether to proceed or not.

This depends largely on the injury you have. You will be advised on your first visit as to the likely length of your treatment. Some injuries will require just one treatment others will take considerably longer.

Many patients are referred to us by their doctor, but it is not necessary to visit your GP first. If for any reason we need to contact your doctor we will ask for your permission first.

When you visit an Osteopath for the first time a full case history will be taken and you will be given a physical examination. You will normally be asked to remove some of your clothing and to perform a simple series of movements. The Osteopath will then use a highly developed sense of touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. The Osteopath may, on occasion, need additional investigations such as x-ray or blood tests. This will allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed for you. Each patient is treated as an individual with the treatment plan geared towards their needs.

Age is not a barrier to receiving osteopathic treatment & treatment is specifically adapted to your individual needs.

Appointments are for 30 minutes. Conditions vary considerably in the amount of time they require and you may not be treated for a full 30 minutes each time. It is important to remember that what is achieved inside the consulting room is only a proportion of the Osteopath’s work. It is necessary for us to keep relevant notes, communicate with GPs, review X-rays and scans and write reports.

Osteopath in Maidenhead covering Cookham, Bourne End, Marlow, Henley, Windsor, Taplow, Slough, Binfield, Ascot, Twyford, Reading and High Wycombe.

Osteopathy is now covered by all Private Medical Insurance Companies. You should check with your insurer that your particular policy does include Osteopathy treatment.  Contact us for any details required for your insurance company. Some, but not all, insurance companies require you to see your GP before commencing treatment. Again your insurers will advice you as to their procedure.

You are responsible for paying the treatment fee at the time of your appointment. A receipt will be given to you for you to claim the fee back from your insurance company. We no longer bill insurance companies directly.