On your first visit your Osteopath will take a detailed case history of all your past and present symptoms as well as any medication or supplements that you take (if you do not have this information, please phone reception later/bring it with you to your next appointment so that we can complete our records.) If you are under 18 or are a vulnerable adult, you/your parent/guardian/carer will be required to sign a consent form.
With your permission an examination will be undertaken. Your Osteopath will need to assess the area/areas that are causing discomfort. Sometimes the cause of your symptoms may be located elsewhere and therefore it may also be necessary to examine other areas. If you are uncomfortable with this procedure, you have the right to ask your practitioner to stop, by withdrawing your consent, without prejudicing your future treatment.
In order to examine you effectively it may be advisable to disrobe, as appropriate for the condition, which might mean undressing to your underwear. You are fully entitled to provide a chaperone or opt out of undressing, if you prefer. Please discuss this with your Osteopath as wearing loose clothing/a gown to allow freedom of movement/changing the treatment modality to something gentler may suffice.
Your practitioner will discuss, with you, their findings and suitable treatment plan options, based on your symptom severity and general health. You are entitled to decide not to go ahead with treatment if you prefer, however, please feel free to ask any related questions which occur to you during the process.
Osteopathy comprises of various techniques, from robust manipulation/soft tissue work to gentle unwinding/cranial balancing, (please see separate information sheet, where relevant). All of these styles are widely used within the Osteopathic Profession to promote symptom reduction and are used where appropriate within this practice. Your Practitioner will not, however, employ any techniques he/she deems to be unsafe/inappropriate, even if these methods were useful during prior treatments. The circumstances surrounding each episode will be different so you will not necessarily experience the same rate of recovery.
Occasionally a condition may be suspected or diagnosed that your practitioner is unable to treat and you may be advised to consult your G.P. or another healthcare professional. If your practitioner decides not to undertake the examination or treatment process in your case then this will be explained to you in full.
Your expected progress will be discussed at the end of the treatment along with any self-help methods recommended such as hydrotherapy or rehabilitation exercises, as per your received advice sheet. However, it is generally the case that improvement will be gradual rather than immediate and some patients even experience an increase in symptoms initially such as pain/tiredness/lightheadedness, this will be explained to you both verbally, prior to the treatment being undertaken, and via the RG1/2/3/4 sheet provided.
It is generally recommended that you attend at least one follow up appointment to help stabilise your condition, your Osteopath will try to give you an indication of your probable requirements re initial symptom reduction/preventative care. We understand at times it is necessary to change/cancel your appointment, we kindly request you give as much notice as possible to allow us to offer the appointment to another patient.
Your payment will be requested at the end of each appointment by cash/cheque/possibly by Card. If you have health insurance you may be able to claim back some of your treatment costs, ask reception for a receipt. BUPA claimants need a G.P. referral plus a treatment agreement from BUPA. Kate Miles is the only Osteopath within this practice licensed by BUPA therefore you need to be treated by Kate to receive your BUPA benefit.
We will store your details on paper/electronically, in accordance with the ICO. In the event of your practitioner moving on/the practice being sold your records will be retained by this practice/the new owner.
Once you undertake treatment with the practice you will become an existing patient. After a 1 year plus absence your medical records will need to be updated during an extended Archived Appointment. Following an extended absence (7 years after your last appointment, for adults, or after your 25th birthday for patients under 18) your records will be destroyed, after which if you to return you will be considered a New Patient.
We at Romney Marsh Osteopaths thank you for your interest
