Why choose an Osteopath?

We are a caring, family practice that provides:
Osteo

Osteopaths are trained to diagnose, manage, treat and prevent a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions (problems with the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments). By discussing your pain and symptoms with you and undertaking a thorough examination of your body, your osteopath will be able to provide you with a diagnosis and explain what the underlying cause of your problem is. As primary health care professionals, osteopaths are also able to order further tests and imaging (e.g. Xrays and MRI scans) if necessary. You do not need a GP referral to visit – simply call us to make an appointment. For more information on common conditions our osteopaths help patients with, click here.

Once you have received a diagnosis, your osteopath will provide treatment using a range of effective techniques designed to relieve pain, increase joint mobility, relieve muscle tension and help your body’s own healing mechanisms. These include manipulation of the spine and joints, soft tissue massage, stretches, and more. Treatment will be tailored to your individual needs and you will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have about osteopathic treatment in advance.
Your osteopath will help you navigate the healthcare system by working together with other health care professionals such as GPs, consultants and diagnostic services as required, giving you quick and easy access to high quality, affordable health care. Your osteopath can update your GP on your condition and progress and will also happily liaise with employers, insurance companies and other practitioners to help you on your road to recovery. And if we cannot help you, we will always refer you to a specialist who can.

In addition to manual therapy, your osteopath may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote optimum health and prevent your symptoms recurring.

Why Choose an osteo
Osteo safe hands

In safe hands - our Osteopathy expertise

Osteopaths specialise in the diagnosis, management, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions (problems with the joints, ligaments, tendons and nerves of the body). All osteopaths undertake a rigorous 4 year university degree in order to become a practitioner. The osteopathy degree course includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, nutrition and biomechanics, plus at least 1,000 hours of clinical training.

Once qualified, osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council who work to ensure patient safety by maintaining a register of qualified professionals, as well as setting, maintaining and developing standards of osteopathic practice and conduct. It is against the law for anyone to call themselves an osteopath in the UK, unless they are registered with the General Osteopathic Council.

Osteopaths use a number of safe treatment techniques designed to provide effective pain relief as well as relieve muscle tension, enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues and to help your body’s own healing mechanisms. These include physical manipulation, stretching and massage. They can also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health and prevent symptoms recurring.

 

Your osteopath will always explain what they are doing, ask for your permission, and only ever use techniques you are 100% comfortable with when it comes to treatment, but if you have any questions or concerns at any point, your osteopath will be happy to discuss them with you.

What to expect when you visit an Osteopath

To find out more about what to expect when you visit an Osteopath at our friendly South Bristol clinic, please see below.

The initial focus of osteopathic treatment is pain relief. Our safe and gentle treatment techniques range from classic mobilisations and manipulations of stiff joints, muscles and tendons, to stretching and rehab exercises, cranial therapy and acupuncture for tension and pain. All treatment programmes are highly personalised and tailored to individual needs and we are always happy to discuss any concerns you may have in advance.

During the initial consultation part of your first appointment, you will be given the opportunity to explain your symptoms and how they are affecting you. Your practitioner will discuss these with you in detail and investigate the cause with neurological and orthopaedic tests. Xrays and MRI scans may be ordered if needed.

 

You will then be given a diagnosis, which will be carefully explained to you and your treatment options will be discussed. A suggested management plan will be drawn up tailored to your comfort and needs, and mindful of any concerns you may have.

The initial focus of chiropractic or osteopathic treatment is pain relief, after which the emphasis will be on restoring normal function and alignment to your body by correcting the underlying problem. Our safe and gentle treatment techniques range from classic mobilisations and manipulations of stiff joints, muscles and tendons, to stretching and rehab exercises, cranial therapy and acupuncture for tension and pain. All treatment programmes are highly personalised and tailored to individual needs and we are always happy to discuss any concerns you may have in advance. Following treatment, you will be given advice and rehabilitation to help prevent the problem reoccurring.

Follow up treatment sessions last 20 to 25 minutes and are designed to help with short term pain relief, but can also be used for longer term supportive care. If you came in for pain relief, your osteopath will continue to work on easing your pain, but will also focus on restoring normal function and alignment to your body by correcting the underlying problem. You will be advised in your first appointment at the clinic as to how many appointments your practitioner thinks you will need to see improvement and during treatment appointments, your osteopath will continue to re-assess and treat the complaint until it is fully resolved.  Once resolved, where appropriate, we would then recommend patients continue to see us at regular intervals for maintenance treatment to help reduce the risk of recurrent episodes and keep their bodies functioning at their best. However, this is always at the patient’s discretion.
The best clothing to wear for an initial consultation is something that allows free movement and stretching, so loose clothing or tracksuit bottoms / leggings and a sports top are ideal. You may be asked to remove some outer layers of clothing if they are likely to hinder our assessment of your movement or posture, so please wear appropriate underwear. However, please note gowns are available should you need one. All assessments and subsequent treatments are carried out in a private treatment room, and confidentiality and discretion will be observed at all times.
We hope that this gives you a good idea of what to expect when you visit an osteopath at the Bristol Back Pain Clinic. If you do have any other questions, you may find our FAQs page useful, as it features answers to some of the most common questions we’re asked about treatment at the clinic such as ‘what’s the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?’. Alternatively, please just give us a call on 0117 9723518 and we’d be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

Common conditions we treat

Osteopaths are best known for treating back and neck pain, however we are specialists in assessing, diagnosing and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal complaints (problems with the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body) including shoulder and arm pain, hip and knee pain, osteoarthritis and pain associated with pregnancy & childcare.

 

As primary health care professionals, we are also able to order further tests and imaging (e.g. Xrays and MRI scans) if necessary. You do not need a GP referral to visit – simply BOOK ONLINE or call us on 0117 9723518 to make an appointment.

Testimonials

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