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 to hand, please phone reception later/bring it with you to your next appointment so that we can complete our records.) If you are under 16, aged 16 or 17 or a vulnerable adult, you and your parent/guardian/carer will be required to sign a separate consent form. Please ask reception for details.
With your permission an examination will be undertaken to assess your general mobility. Your Osteopath will need to assess the area/areas that are causing discomfort. Sometimes the cause of your symptoms can be located elsewhere and therefore, in some cases, it may be necessary to examine other areas. If you are uncomfortable with any part of this procedure, you have the right to ask your practitioner to stop at any stage during your appointment, 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 down to your underwear. You are fully entitled to have a chaperone present or to opt out of undressing if you prefer. Please discuss this with your Osteopath as wearing loose clothing to allow freedom of movement during your appointment or changing the recommended treatment modality to something gentle may suffice. Alternatively a gown can be provided, if this feels more comfortable for you.
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/deep soft tissue work to gentle unwinding/cranial balancing, (please see separate information sheet provided, where relevant). All of these styles are widely used within the Osteopathic Profession as methods of promoting 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 you have found these methods useful during prior courses of treatment elsewhere. Please note the circumstances surrounding each symptomatic episode will be different therefore 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/light-headedness, this will be explained to you both verbally and via the supplied RG1/2/3/4 sheet provided.
It is generally recommended that you attend at least one follow up appointment to help stabilize your condition but your Osteopath will try to give you an indication of your condition’s probable requirements with regard to initial symptom reduction and future preventative care. We do understand that at times it is necessary to change/cancel your appointment, but we kindly request that you do your best to give as much notice as possible therefore allowing us to offer the appointments to another patient.
Your payment will be requested at the end of each appointment by cash, cheque or Credit/Debit card. If you have health insurance cover you may well be able to claim back some of your treatment costs, just ask reception for a receipt. BUPA claimants will need a letter of referral from their G.P plus an agreement from BUPA to undertake treatment. Please note that Kate Miles is the only Osteopath within this practice licensed by BUPA and therefore you would need to be treated by Kate to receive your BUPA benefit.
Your contact information/personal details will be stored electronically, by the practice, in accordance with the information commissioner/our confidentiality and data protection policy plus in the event of your practitioner moving on or the practice being sold your records will remain the property of the practice.
