If you visit our clinic you will be seen by either a third or fourth year student who is closely supervised by a fully qualified, GOsC registered Osteopath.

As osteopathy is a holistic complementary therapy, the treatments given are tailored to each individual’s needs. However, every treatment is ultimately aimed at improving the structure and function of the whole body to enable it to cope with the demands placed upon it.

On your first visit, a full medical history will be taken. This may take 20-30 minutes as the students are trained to collect detailed information and be extremely thorough. Lifestyle, occupation, sporting and leisure activities will also be taken into account. Once this has been done the student will discuss the findings with his/her tutor.

The student will then carry out an examination. This involves looking at the body as a whole. An osteopath will use his/her hands and observation to identify areas of strain, weakness or injury. You will normally be asked to undress to your underwear and to carry out a series of simple movements. Comfortable loose clothing or appropriate underwear is requested.

When the examination has been completed and all factors have been considered, the student, following discussion with his/her tutor, will make a diagnosis. This will be relayed to you in layman’s terms together with an explanation of your proposed treatment and management plan. Depending on the complexity of the examination and case history, an element of treatment will also be given.