Our Osteopaths:

Fiona Passey ND, DO
Rachel Douglas BSC (Hons) OST
Julien Prosnier BSc (Hons) Ost
Justine Knowles BSC (OST)
Farah Khan BSC (Hons) OST

What is Osteopathy ?

Osteopathy is a system of manual preventative medicine that focuses primarily on the musculoskeletal system, (the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue) and the way in which this interrelates with the body as a whole. It combines scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology, with clinical methods of investigation.

Osteopaths diagnose and treat aches and pains / faults that occur because of injury, stress, or maybe disease, thus enabling the musculoskeletal system to work as efficiently as possible, and allowing the body to restore itself to normal function.

A caring approach and attention to the individual is considered particularly important to Osteopaths. We approach problems with natural treatment, solutions of diet, exercise, proper rest, dealing with stress correctly, gentle adjustment and realignment of the joints along the spine and extremities.

When you visit an Osteopath for the first time

• You can have someone (friend/relative) present throughout your consultation and treatment.
  Keep in mind very personal questions may be asked
   
• you will give a full medical history (list of medication being taken, other aches/pains, current/former illnesses, etc).
   
• you will be given a physical examination in which you will normally be asked to remove some of your clothing, (you may need to get undressed to your underwear, so please wear undergarments that you feel comfortable in).
   
• you will normally be asked to perform a simple series of movements, so that your mobility can be assessed and points of weakness identified.

Your Osteopath (if needed)

• may feel your pulse and check reflexes
• may take your blood pressure
• may refer you for clinical tests, such as X-rays, MRI’s

This musculo-skeletal assessment will be considered alongside lifestyle factors, such as work, and leisure activities, to enable:

• a full diagnosis,
• the most suitable treatment plan.

How many sessions will I need ?

The length of time each one of these stages takes usually depends on the 'age' of the condition. For example, a recently strained (acute) back may go through all of the stages in a matter of days or weeks (2 to 6 treatments), however, an older (chronic) condition may take a longer period of time for each stage to come and go.

We want you to be aware of these things so that you will not think that you are not making progress under our care. It is just a matter of understanding how the body heals it does not do anything overnight !

After treatment an Osteopath can advise on maintaining a realistic level of health and avoiding those things that might be damaging. For example, exercises to adjust posture and/or, advice on diet and lifestyle, can be given as part of a personal health care programme.

What about regulation ?

In May 2000 ‘The Osteopaths Act 1993’ became law, the General Osteopathic Council (G.Os.C.) was formed to oversee and enforce this Act !
 

• It is a criminal offence in the UK, liable to prosecution, to describe oneself as an osteopath, (or any derivative e.g. osteo-therapist, osteopaths assistant etc.), unless registered with the G.Os.C.

• Only practitioners meeting the highest standards of safety and competency are eligible for registration.

• All Osteopaths work to a strict code of ethics. Some of these include: Safety, honesty, competence, confidentiality, a caring approach, integrity, to be non-judgmental, professionalism in dress and manner, and postgraduate training*.

• The British Medical Association’s (BMA) guidance for General Practitioners (GP’s) states that doctors can safely refer patients to Osteopaths (click here).

• * 30 hours CPD (Continuing Professional Development) is part of the G.Os.C. yearly registration requirements; thus ensuring that Osteopaths are up to date with new techniques and medical advancements.