Our Approach in Looking After You
Most importantly we appreciate what you expect of us and that we aim to provide a with a first class experience of osteopathic medicine:
- That you will be treated by the same osteopath each time.
- For your osteopath to be properly qualified and highly competent.
- For your osteopath to be sympathetic, caring and professional.
- For your osteopath to treat you with the respect you deserve and for you to be listened to.
- For your osteopath to recognise your sensitivities about your body and to provide you with privacy when changing and a treatment gown to wear
- For you to bring a friend or chaperone with you to be present while you receive treatment.
- That there is access for people with disabilities.
- Before your first appointment that you be given an oppertunity to ask questions and to be given adequate information about what will happen during your intial consultation, examination and your potential treatment.
- To inform you that clothing will need to be removed so that you can be examined properly with sensitivity and expertise.
- To inform you that osteopathy is a "hands on" approach to treatment which is very safe in expert hands.
- Your first appoinment will last at least 45 minits.
- Your osteopath to take a detailed account of your presenting symptoms, clinical history, previous osteopathic or chiropractic treatment, medication and surgical details, your own opinons on your existing issues.
- Your osteopath will examine you properly and thoroughly including the "painful bit" and areas of your spine and soft tissues that may also be relevant.
- It may be necessary to arrange for blood and urine tests, xrays, ultrasound or MRI scans to be performed to achieve an accurate diagnosis of your condition.
- We encourage you to ask questions and to have them answered to your satisfaction.
- Your osteopath will take a comprehensive case history and ask about previous experiences you may have had with either an osteopath or chiropractor.
- Your osteopath will provide you with an honest assessment of your condition.
- Your osteopath will explain your expected progress under treatment and your expected prognosis.
- Your osteopath will discuss and together set clear goals for your treatment outcomes in terms of realistic and unrealistic outcomes.
- Before any treatment is administered by your osteopath he will discuss any risks associated with the proposed osteopathic treatment.
- Your osteopath will explain any potential side effects associated with treatment; for example, pain and soreness can increase for a few days after treatment before improving.
- We are happy to communication with your GP and medical specialists.
- You will be given a copy of our internal complaints procedure should you request it.
- Should you not respond to osteopathic treatment your osteopath will discuss this with you and will endeavour to refer you to the appropriate specialist who may be able to help you.