Osteopathy - Frequently Asked Questions

Osteopathy is a form of treatment suited for muscular,joint and postural problems, particularly back pain, sports injuries and work related musculoskeletal problems.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment which lays its main emphasises on the structural and functional integrity of the body. It is distinctive because it recognises that many pains and disabilities stem from faults in the body’s structure or damage caused to it by disease.

[Edited description by the General Osteopathic Council, 28th October 1998]

What kinds of problems can osteopathy help with?

Back and neck pain are the most common problems treated by osteopathy.  But, it can help with a wide variety of other problems including:
. changes to posture in pregnancy
. repetitive strain injury
. postural problems caused by driving, work strain or sport
. children with growing problems such as overuse, injuries and growing pains
. arthritis
. sports injuries
Infact if you are getting any pain in your muscles or joints then there is a good chance that Osteopathy will help you.

Cameron Reid will be happy to advise you as to whether he can help with your own particular problem. Feel free to give him a call on 01362-696079 or email at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

What can I expect when I visit an osteopath?

When you visit Cameron Reid for the first time, a full case history will be taken.  This will include details of your present problem, your past medical history and your health in general. He will ask you questions about your working life, sports you play or the way that you may fitness train.You may be asked to remove some of your outer clothing as appropriate, so that a thorough examination can be carried out to determine the nature of the problem.

The examination will typically involve you carrying out a simple series of movements to identify problem areas. Touch and manipulation will identify any points of weakness or excessive strain throughout the body. Other tests such as neurological testing, blood pressure, X-Ray or MRI scans may also be carried out or arranged if necessary.
The aim of an assessment is to come to a diagnosis and design with a treatment plan with activities that will help your condition.
Treatment will normally begin on the first visit.

What does treatment involve?

Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide variety of treatment techniques to suit the individual patient and the problem being treated. These may include soft tissue techniques, rhythmic passive joint mobilisation or high speed thrust techniques designed to improve mobility and the range of movement in a joint.

Gentle release techniques are also used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients. This allows the body to return to efficient normal function. Cameron Reid is particularly interested in prevention and he will advise you on ways to stop the same thing happening again.

How much does treatment cost?

The initial consultation, examination and treatment costs £37.00
Payment is by Cash Cheque or Debit Card only.

How many treatments will I need?

Osteopathy is patient centred, which means treatment is geared to you as an individual. Cameron Reid should be able to give you an indication of how many treatments you will need after your first visit. As a guide, for some acute pain, two or three treatments will be all that is needed. Chronic conditions may need ongoing maintenance treatment.  If this is the case, Cameron Reid will discuss this with you.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

No, the vast majority of patients self-refer. A formal referral from your GP is not necessary although we do get a lot of GP referrals.

How can I be sure I am in safe hands?

Osteopathy is one of the safest forms of healthcare available.

A Registered Osteopath will have to demonstrate to the General Osteopathic Council via a detailed application process that they are a safe and competent practitioner, that they have adequate malpractice insurance and have agreed to abide by a Code of Practice.

What do the letters ‘DO’  mean?

These are osteopathic qualifications. The DO stands for degree in Osteopathy.

Can I have osteopathic treatment on the NHS?

A few osteopaths may provide treatment on the NHS via a General Practice or local hospital. At the moment this is not possible in Norfolk, although we are trying to change that.

Can I have osteopathy on my private medical insurance?

Many healthcare insurers pay for osteopathic treatment. However, insurers vary enormously in terms of what they cover and how you should seek treatment and re-claim the cost of treatment. Cameron Reid is registered with BUPA, AXA PPP, AVIVA, and HSA

What are the origins of osteopathy?

Andrew Taylor Still, born in 1828 in Virginia, USA, trained as a doctor following the system of medical education available at the time. As time went on he began to follow a different path from many of his peers, avoiding alcohol and the habit of administering crude drugs in large amounts. This drove him to seek new methods of treating sickness. The outcome of his research was the use of physical treatment as a specialised form of healing.  He named this treatment ‘Osteopathy’.

In 1892 he organised a school in Kirksville, Missouri, to teach osteopathy.  Then at the turn of the century, Osteopathy was brought to the UK. The first school of osteopathy in the UK was set up in London in 1917 and other schools and colleges soon followed.

Today there are around 4,000 osteopaths in the UK performing over six-million patient consultations a year.

Posted on 20 Jan 2012