Frequently asked questions

Usually you will need to get undressed down to your underwear, so please wear underwear in which you will feel comfortable. If this is a problem in any way, we can usually manage!

Side effects are generally rare; you may experience some tiredness or soreness for a few days afterwards, but this will subside quickly. Osteopathy is a very safe and effective form of treatment and most patients feel subsequently better for it.

This depends on your problems and your osteopaths advise. Some patients with chronic pain feel that they benefit enormously by some maintenance treatment, while others we only see them when they have a problem.

Government and medical studies over recent years have consistently shown osteopathy to be less expensive, use fewer drugs and have higher patient satisfaction than conventional medical care for back, neck and other musculoskeletal pain.

Manipulation is not inherently painful. Some discomfort will occasionally be experienced when an injury is treated, even with gentle soft tissue techniques. Your osteopath will be sensitive to your symptoms and not proceed with a technique if there is undue discomfort. It is wrong to assume that you will always have manipulation whenever you go to an osteopath; many successful treatments can be conducted without its use. Osteopaths usually keep their patients informed as to what they are doing as the treatment progresses.

Not as such, the idea of putting something back in place is a misconception. Spinal joints out of place would be a serious injury and would certainly mean hospitalisation rather than a visit to an osteopath, in fact, within the osteopathic understanding; joints become restricted and limited within their normal function. Another commonly referred-to misnomer is that of spinal “discs being put back in”. Disc injury can be treated osteopathically, but again treatment is applied to help the tissues return to a more normal healthy state.

MSK consultancy will expect to see positive results within 2-4 treatments for common symptoms. However, it must be emphasised that each individual is unique therefore some people will require more or less treatment before their symptoms improve.

Osteopathy cannot cure arthritis, but it certainly can help alleviate many of the symptoms associated with this widespread problem, which afflicts many people. There are many techniques, which are designed to improve and reduce the pain and discomfort of the soft tissues, muscles, ligaments and joints, both locally and arising from the consequences of the arthritis or rheumatism. Osteopaths can also advise how these problems can be kept at bay in the short and long term using treatment and exercises.

Osteopaths work with their hands, and treatment often consists of soft tissue manipulation, gentle passive mobilisation techniques and specific joint manipulation. Medical acupuncture also compliments osteopathic treatment.

Yes, osteopathic treatment is covered under most major health insurers. Currently we are accredited with the major Health Insurance companies such as AXA PPP and AVIVA. It is best to check with your insurers first, as individual policies may have exemptions. At MSK consultancy, patients don’t have to pay for their treatment we will claim the fee back from your insurance company. If you do have complimentary health cover then you should obtain an authorisation number.

No, simply make an appointment with your osteopath directly. Like going to the dentist or opticians, you do not need a referral from your GP, however increasingly GP’s are referring patients to osteopaths. Osteopathy is a complementary form of treatment and works well when used in conjunction with medical treatment.

Anyone calling themselves an osteopath by law need to be accepted and registered by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) approved by a government bill passed in 1993. Osteopaths are also required by law to be insured, to protect both public and themselves.