Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is treatment painful?
In general terms, no it isn’t. Some patients experience some mild discomfort after treatment, whilst others encounter rapid reduction in pain. If following a treatment, you are in pain, please contact Andre who will be most happy to talk you through what to do next.
2) How many sessions may I need?
It depends. Some patients need just a single session of treatment, whereas others need as many as eight return visits. This can be discussed at the time of treatment, but, as a general rule of thumb, factors such as how long you have had the symptoms or how much pain you are in, make a difference to prognosis. As osteopaths one of our specific ideas is “to find it (the problem), fix it then leave it alone”. I do not over treat any patient.
3) Do you recommend regular check ups?
Not particularly. Our aim, as stated above, is to sort the problem out, and then let the body repair itself. However, some patients do feel a benefit from returning every six months or so.
4) Do you contact my doctor?
Only with your consent and only if necessary. If your GP referred you to me, I would reply with osteopathic findings and diagnosis. If you had an issue that I felt would need your GP’s care, I would possibly (with your permission) write to them.
5) Am I covered under my healthcare insurance?
Most of the main Private Health Insurers, including BUPA, BUPA international, PPP, Allianz, BCWA and WPA now cover osteopathic treatment. If you have private health cover please check with your insurance company to see if they will pay for all or part of your treatment. Generally a GP’s consent to treatment will be required if you wish to claim on your health insurance.
6) What is the difference between Osteopathy and other manual therapies such as Chiropractic, or Physiotherapy?
The fundamental differences between osteopathy and physiotherapy, are based at the basic levels of diagnosis. Whilst physiotherapy follows traditional medical approaches of compartmentalising illness and pain, both osteopathy and chiropractic are 'alternative' medical models. This means that they are “holistic”, and treat each individual as a whole person rather than as just a symptom. Osteopaths apply their own methods of diagnosis, and therefore treatment, to each case. Chiropractic is a similar “holistic” therapy, but practitioners tend to employ a much more “direct” approach to their techniques. Osteopaths tend to use some gentler, slower stretching techniques, as well as some more direct techniques.
7) What if I have a complaint?
Please do talk to either myself directly, or leave a message with Janine my secretary with contact details and I will contact you. If you are still dissatisfied the GOsC, my governing body, may be contacted at the address below. Please write to
General Osteopathic Council,
Osteopathy House
176 Tower Bridge Road
London
SE1 3LU
Tel: 0207 357 6655