What to expect at your first consultation

 

Important information before you come

All osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (G.Os.C), the national regulatory body of the osteopathic profession which serves to maintain professional standards throughout the profession and to protect patients using osteopathy. My practice is ultimately accountable to the G.Os.C. The G.Os.C in turn is part of the Professional Service Agency (PSA) that has oversight of all healthcare providers in the UK including doctors and dentists.

Osteopathy is thus recognised by Statute Law as a whole body healing system of manual therapy, which uses clinical diagnosis and hands on technique to help resolve problems in the joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. 

The overall aim of our osteopathic treatment is to enhance circulation in the affected tissues; restore functionality, normal movement and structural alignment of the body to facilitate the body’s own healing mechanisms.

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First consultation and case-history taking

The first consultation usually lasts up to an hour, at which I will take a full medical history and conduct a physical examination. If possible I will start delivering the treatment, unless there are specific indicators that osteopathic treatment is not appropriate e.g if I think that further medical investigation is necessary, or I suspect more serious pathology, or if I think the condition is outwith my scope of osteopathic care.

I will then discuss with you my findings and agree on a treatment plan based on my assessment. Your active engagement throughout is an important part of the treatment process as I belief it helps you be in control of your treatment as much as possible.

The initial treatment plan will include my estimate of the process of recovery and likely timetable of improvement that we would wish to see as treatment progresses.

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Physical examination 

As part of the initial assessment as osteopaths we ask patients to undress to their underwear in order to conduct the physical examination. This helps me to assess your overall postural status, your structural alignment, and general ease of mobility. Some of this can be done through light clothing, but there comes a time when more detailed assessment is needed to inform the precision of the treatment.

If you prefer not want to undress to your underwear then bring something light and loose like a vest top and shorts or leggings. The most important thing is to feel comfortable throughout the examination and treatment.

If you need to change when you are at the clinic screens and gowns are available.

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Potential risks of Osteopathic treatment

As with any form of healthcare treatment, Osteopathy does carry potential risks of side-effects. The most common reaction being short term tissue response after treatment. This can be increased soreness or tenderness for anything between 12 and 48 hours after the treatment before the situation resolves and improvement is felt. If you are at all concerned please get in touch as soon as you can. The situation usually resolves itself and can be treated conservatively whilst the tissue settles.

It is extremely rare that any serious after affects have been connected to osteopathic treatment. Where they are they are logged and evaluated as part of our continuing development training. Most of the concerns are about vascular incidents like stroke when ill-considered manipulation of the cervical spine have been administered. I would regard these as examples of inappropriate treatment that have not been inadequately safe-guarded and delivered.

My professional view is that such manipulation is unnecessary when we have many other safe ways of addressing the neck area. I can provide further evidence of the safety of osteopathy if needed, but as I do not use the particular techniques in question I have sought to minimise this particular risk element from my treatments. To give some perspective the head position being questioned is any extreme movement of the neck, for example the head-back position often used in hairdressing salons.

I can discuss this further with you if needed before we treat your neck area.

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Informed Consent

As stated above, it is very important to me that you understand my clinical reasoning and rationale for your treatment, so that we can proceed with your informed consent. I will discuss with you all aspects of the treatment and answer any questions you might have to the best of my ability. I belief that the more you understand what I am doing the better the outcome for the treatment, but there will always be an element of entering the unknown as every person is different and no-one can predict the precise outcome of any treatment. 

I will also consider with you other treatment options that might have both risks and benefits for your condition. Or, if I feel that some other therapy might be better for you, I will discuss that with you at that time. It might be that this question comes up at a later stage in your treatment as well, and we can discuss it further at that point.

Having discussed all matters concerning your treatment as above, including duration and cost I will ask you to sign a consent form. I will also ask you for your verbal consent as the treatment continues, or, if we introduce new ideas or techniques as I see to be appropriate and timely.

If at any time you feel it necessary you can remove your consent to treatment.

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Chaperone

You are welcome to bring a chaperone of your choice if you feel this to be appropriate, particularly at the first consultation. I am not able to arrange this for you, so do think about it before you come if this is an issue for you, or if you need to re-arrange. 

If you are accompanying a minor (below 16 years) then it’s not a problem as you will be the chaperone.

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Confidentiality

All patient information is kept in strict confidentiality at all times. The Clinic is registered with the Data Protection Register and we operate under the General Data Protection (GDPR) requirements operating in UK. Our policy statement is available on this website.

There might be occasions where it is appropriate to share your clinical information, for example when contacting your GP or other healthcare provider.  On these occasion I will seek your agreement, and ask you to sign a disclosure form before any of your personal details are released.

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Feedback or complaints

Feedback whether positive or negative, is always welcome. During your appointment, feel free to discuss any aspect of your treatment or any issue that may arise. You  can call me directly on 07779331860, or speak to my colleague at the Kendal clinic Mr Ed Snoad 07899 657058.

If the issue cannot be resolved by mutual discussion and you wish to proceed with a formal complaint then you can contact the General Osteopathic Council at : Osteopathy House, 176 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3LU tel : 0207 357 6655