ELECTRONIC CONSENT

Please read the following information and if happy, complete the electronic consent submission. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch. (Paper consent available too in clinic.)

  • The osteopath will ask you about your health (past and present), as well as detailed questions about your presenting complaint. 
  • A physical examination will then take place, often requiring removal of some clothing (you are welcome to bring a chaperone). You may be asked to perform some movements like bending forward for example. The osteopath will place their hands on you to assess the state of the tissues. This may be in the area affected, or elsewhere, since osteopathy uses a global assessment. 
  • Osteopaths use a variety of techniques to treat. This can be soft tissue massage techniques through to joint manipulations ("clicks") that help restore joint function. 
  • The number of treatments vary from person to person and it depends on the condition. If you have not gained any improvement in four or five sessions, then a referral will likely be recommended. 
  • Exercises and other advice will normally be given to you in order to speed up the recovery and maintain health.
  • After a treatment, it is not unusual to feel sore or achey for a few hours, like you have been to the gym. On the rare occasion, soreness may last up to 72 hours.  Ice / heat / flushing (ice and heat) and pain management using medication are common methods to resolve this. Please let your osteopath know if you have any concerns, following a potential treatment reaction. 
  • Spinal manipulations do carry some risk. The smallest reaction is some soreness after. A very rare reported risk concerning neck manipulations is a stroke (referred to as clause 20).  The risk equates to you having a stroke whilst your head is extended over a sink at the hairdressers.) For those having mid (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) vertebrae adjusted, there is a theoretical risk of trauma occurring to the disc.
  • Your osteopath will never manipulate a joint without first gaining consent from you. You have the right to refuse any technique, at any time.