It is entirely up to you whether or not to inform your doctor and you do not need a doctor’s referral to see an osteopath.

Osteopaths are independent healthcare practitioners, like dentists.

Occasionally, it becomes apparent that there are signs indicating more serious illness or injury which has been previously undetected. In which case, we would have a discussion and if appropriate, with your consent, I would write a letter to your GP explaining my findings and requesting further investigations.

That depends on the nature of the presenting problem. There are no set treatment prescriptions - management is tailored to the individual need of each patient. Some problems may be much improved or even fully resolved with two or three visits. When there are more complex underlying problems it may take longer. Sometimes it takes a few visits for all the underlying issues to become clear.

It is always my aim to help patients fully recover and regain an active life. Sometimes I will see patients once every three or four months, or even annually for a check-up. All this is by discussion as suited to your needs.

Old accidents often leave their mark on the body’s framework even when the initial pain has completely gone away.

Osteopathic hands-on eamination can often identify old injuries and the alterations they have caused. Improvements and changes back to original function tend to be in proportion to the age or the injury. It’s not always possible to completely turn the clock back but there is often room for improvement.

What is popularly known as ‘Cranial Osteopathy’ is an approach to treating all kinds of health issues.

It uses a particularly gentle and subtle hands-on way of sensing the quality of function in the whole body taking into account the role of the head and face.

Yes, if you think you might be pregnant, it is important to let me know.

During pregnancy, there is a postural adaptation and shape change in mother’s body in response to the growing baby. This demands flexibility in the whole framework. The Osteopath can help your body ease into the needs of pregnancy and improve flexibility and readiness for the birth process. I have taken further education in the care of women during and after pregnancy and have a special interest in helping you at this time.

Osteopaths work together with other health care professionals, especially midwives and doctors.

Whilst mothers frequently seek treatment during pregnancy, it is just as important to be checked after delivery. Giving birth is strenuous and sometimes strain from the birth process persists. Osteopathy can help ease those strains so that exercises work better and you can start to feel like your self again.

On the whole, osteopathic treatment is not painful and patients usually find it rather pleasant. Very occasionally, soreness may occur after a treatment - but that usually settles in two or three days. If not, then a brief return to check or settle a reaction at no charge is always offered.

Your first visit will last about 1 hour and is focussed towards making a diagnosis prior to treatment.

During the visit, you will be asked about your symptoms and your medical history and your current medications. (It is helpful to make your own notes before hand)

You may be asked to undress to your underwear (please wear something you are happy to be seen in), so that I can observe the quality and range of movement across your whole body. This will be followed in more detail with hands-on testing of movement. It may be necessary to carry out some other basic tests, for example blood pressure or nerve reflexes. If more specialist investigations are required - such as x-ray or MRI scans - these an be arranged either privately or via your GP.

Once the assessment is made, we will discuss the findings and the treatment options and how best to proceed. All treatment plans are explained and discussed with the patient. You may be given exercises and advice as well as hands-on treatment.

If you would like a chaperone to be present during your treatment, please let us know when you make your appointment so this can be arranged. Children under 14 must always be accompanied by an appropriate adult during treatment, older children may choose to be seen alone with parental or guardian’s consent.

Please check details of your cover with your insurer before booking an appointment, some medical insurers would not meet the full fee.

Caroline is a fully qualified member of the General Osteopathic Council.

We are able to provide receipts or invoices for treatments if you are planning to make a claim.