Your first appointment typically lasts 45-60 minutes. We’ll start by taking a detailed history of your problem, your general health, and any relevant medical background. Then we’ll carry out a physical examination – this might involve asking you to move in certain ways, checking your posture, and palpating (feeling) the affected areas. Based on this assessment, we’ll explain what we think is causing your symptoms and discuss the best approach to treatment. Most people receive hands-on treatment in their first session.

Osteopathic treatment shouldn’t be painful, though you might experience some discomfort when we work on areas that are already sore or tight. The adjustments we use – the quick, gentle joint releases that sometimes make a popping sound – are generally painless. If you’re nervous about any particular technique, just let us know. We can always use gentler approaches. Some patients feel a bit achy for a day or two after treatment, similar to how you might feel after exercise. This is normal and usually settles quickly.

This varies enormously depending on your condition, how long you’ve had it, and how your body responds to treatment. Some acute problems resolve in just one or two sessions. Longer-standing issues typically require a course of treatment – perhaps 4-6 sessions over several weeks. We’ll give you an honest estimate at your first appointment and review progress as we go. We’re not in the business of keeping you coming back unnecessarily.

All three professions treat musculoskeletal problems, but the approaches differ. Osteopaths take a whole-body approach, looking at how different parts of your body interact and using a variety of manual techniques including soft tissue work, stretching, and joint manipulation. Chiropractors tend to focus more specifically on spinal alignment and adjustments. Physiotherapists often emphasise exercise-based rehabilitation and may use equipment or machines. In practice, there’s considerable overlap, and the best practitioner for you depends on your specific problem and preferences.

Most of our osteopaths are registered with the major health insurance companies. However, coverage varies between insurers and policies. We recommend checking with your insurer before booking to confirm what’s covered. Some policies require a GP referral, others don’t. We can provide receipts and any documentation you need for claiming.

Absolutely. Several of our osteopaths have specialist training in paediatric care. We often see babies with colic, feeding difficulties, or unsettled sleep, as well as older children with growing pains, sports injuries, or postural problems. The techniques used for children are very gentle – cranial osteopathy is particularly well-suited to young patients. Parents are welcome to stay in the room throughout treatment.

No, you can book directly with us without a referral. Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners, which means we’re trained to assess, diagnose and treat patients independently. However, if we think you need further investigation or your condition falls outside our scope of practice, we’ll recommend you see your GP or another specialist.