 Registered Osteopaths |
 Registered with the General Osteopathic Council |
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- What training do Osteopaths receive?
All osteopaths are trained at colleges approved by the General Osteopathic Council ("RQ status"). They provide four or five year courses which include subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, embryology, statistics, biomechanics, research methodology, pathology, practice of medicine, diagnosis, applied anatomy and physiology, technique, and specialized areas of patient care. The colleges have out-patients clinics where students treat patients under supervision of osteopathic clinical tutors. Rigorous examinations culminate in the Final Clinical Competence examination, a practical external examination under the aegis of the GosC. Once qualified, osteopaths are expected to undergo continuous professional development (CPD) by attending post-graduate courses and conferences and maintain high standards of theoretical and practical skills.
- How are Osteopaths regulated?
The Osteopaths Act 1993 established the statutory body - the General Osteopathic Council - to lay down standards, monitor education and regulate the professional and ethical standards of the profession. The GosC inspects the osteopathic colleges, supervises the final clinical competence exams, ensures osteopaths comply with continuing professional development, applies a strict code of professional ethics, and deals with any complaints by the public against osteopaths. The GosC publishes a current directory of all Osteopaths on the Register. Only practitioners registered with the GosC can legally call themselves Osteopaths.
- Does Osteopathic treatment hurt?
There may be some momentary discomfort during treatment, but otherwise treatment should not be painful. For two or three days after treatment, especially after the first visit or if the condition is acute, there can be soreness and aching.
- How much does it cost?
Osteopathic fees compare favourably with other professional and medical fees. Our scale of fees is viewable on this website. Fees are reimbursed by all private health insurance schemes.
- Will I have to undress?
Patients remove their upper garments (but not bras), and, if it is a low back or lower limb complaint, their trousers or skirt. They can leave on petticoats and can wear shorts. If they wish, a friend or relative can be with them during the examination and treatment.
- What is the youngest and oldest you can be to visit an Osteopath?
Our youngest patients are newborn babies. Our oldest is a lady of 102. Osteopathic techniques are adaptable to all ages.
- Should I see my Doctor first?
Osteopaths are trained in diagnosis and carry out a full case history and examination. If your case needs further investigation, such as ECG or blood tests, the osteopath will refer you to your GP with a note regarding relevant tests.
- How will you know what's wrong with me?
Osteopaths are trained in diagnosis and carry out a full case history and examination. The information from the case history and examination enables them to arrive at a full diagnosis. Sometimes further investigations, such as ECG or blood tests, are needed and then the osteopath will refer you to your GP with a note regarding relevant tests.
- What if my condition is not suitable for osteopathy?
Osteopaths are trained in diagnosis and carry out a full case history and examination. The osteopath will use the case history and examination to make a diagnosis. If the condition would not benefit from osteopathy, they will advise you so. If your case needs further investigation, such as ECG or blood tests, the osteopath will refer you to your GP with a note regarding relevant tests.
- Will I need x-rays?
X-rays only show bones, not the muscles, nerves, ligaments and other soft tissues that make up 95% of the body and are the most usual cause of symptoms. So x-rays are only useful in cases such as suspected fracture, bone infection, congenital anomaly, and some degenerative conditions. There are other imaging examinations, such as MRI scans, which may be more appropriate than an x-ray. But all these techniques have their limitations. Such investigations, if needed, should only be ordered after a thorough case history and examination to ensure that the relevant investigation is ordered. In 90% of cases, the case history and examination provide enough clinical information to arrive at a diagnosis. If your osteopath thinks x-rays or other investigations are needed, he will refer you for them
- How many treatment sessions will I need?
That depends on many factors, such as the severity and nature of the condition, how long it has been there, the patient's age, occupation and general health. Some conditions recover completely in one or two visits, others take longer. At the first visit, once he has examined you, your osteopath should be able to give you an idea of how rapid your progress will probably be.
- How long does a visit last?
On the first visit we allow forty to sixty minutes and subsequently twenty to thirty minutes, although depending on the case, we may need to spend longer or shorter than that with the patient.
- What's the difference between osteopaths, physiotherapists
and chiropractors?
Both osteopaths and chiropractors are regulated by law by statutory bodies set up by Act of Parliament. Physiotherapists are not. Osteopath and Chiropractor are protected titles and unregistered lay people would be committing an offence under the law were they to use the title; the term Physiotherapist is not protected by law and can be used by anyone, even if unqualified.Osteopaths and chiropractors work independently and make their own diagnoses. Physiotherapists mostly work under the supervision of a doctor.
Osteopaths and chiropractors use hands-on treatment on a one-to-one basis. Physiotherapists usually use machines and give the patient exercises.
Osteopaths use a wider variety of manual techniques than chiropractors. Chiropractors tend to use only high-velocity thrust techniques.
Chiropractors rely on x-rays more than osteopaths do. Chiropractors sometimes take and interpret their own x-rays; Osteopaths send the patient to be x-rayed by radiographers and the x-rays are then reported on by radiologists. Chiropractors are renowned for their commercial acumen.
