FAQ's

We understand that you may have some questions before booking an appointment with us. Here are some of the most common questions we receive:

1. What is Osteopathy and how does it work?

 

Osteopathy is a gentle and effective hands-on approach to healthcare, based on the principle that the way your body moves influences how it functions. Osteopaths are highly competent healthcare professionals, recognised by the NHS as fully qualified to diagnose and treat independently. Osteopaths use physical hands-on techniques to treat muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons as well as influence nerve supply and blood and lymph circulation.  Over 30,000 people every day visit an osteopath suffering from a variety of conditions including neck or back pain, joint or muscular pain, sports injuries, recurring headaches and more. Many patients are pregnant mothers, unsettled children, or those with work strain, or pain and stiffness related to advancing years. Osteopathy originated during the pioneering years in America and has become an integral part of their modern healthcare system. For a more complete answer see the menu bar above "What is Osteopathy?"

2. What types of pain can you treat?

 

We treat:

​

• Arthritic pain

• Circulatory problems

• Cramp

• Fibromyalgia

• Frozen shoulder/ shoulder and elbow pain/ tennis elbow/golfers elbow

• Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic)

• Joint pains

• Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise

• General, acute & chronic backache, back and neck pain

• Generalised aches and pains

• Lumbago

• Migraine prevention

• Minor sports injuries and can provide rehabilitation programmes

• Muscle spasms

• Neuralgia

• Tension and inability to relax

• Rheumatic pain

• Sciatica

• Tendon pain and tendinopathy (Shockwave Therapy) 

• Trigger points and Myofascial knots (Medical Acupuncture).

​

We are trained to provide exercise rehabilitation programmes for athletes and strength development plans to improve resilience into older age. 

3. How long are appointments and what are the costs?
 

The first appointment including a full medical case history, examination and treatment is £52. Each follow up appointment is £52 and these are only booked as and when required. For children aged 5-13 years, the first appointment is £45 and each follow up appointment is £40. The first appointment is typically 45-60 minutes and the follow up appointments 30-45 minutes, although duration is dependent on the nature of your condition.  

 

We accept cash, card, contactless card, contactless mobile payment and bank transfers. Settlement is required immediately after treatment. 

​

4. Is treatment safe, what are the risks?

 

Treatment is gentle and safe. However, all medical intervention carries a risk, these risks will be discussed with you and your consent obtained before treatment. You will be fully screened before treatment and only approved techniques that you are happy to receive will be used. Like the old cliche goes, "we spent 5 years being trained what not to do as well as what to do". 

​

5. Do I need to see a doctor first?

​

We work closely with local GP's as part of our role as NHS Allied Healthcare Professionals. It isn't necessary to visit a GP first, osteopaths are fully trained to identify the signs and symptoms of serious medical dysfunction. They are trained to establish when it is safe to treat and when it is not safe to treat. They may refer you to your GP or another healthcare professional for further investigation or treatment if necessary. You will be able to see James quickly. 

​

6. What do I need to wear? Do I need to bring anything with me?

​

Osteopaths need to be able to observe how your body moves by seeing how joints, muscles and skin move. Osteopaths also need to conduct testing to make sure that your nerves are functioning properly and this can involve testing to make sure that your sense of touch is working properly. Some types of clothing can limit your mobility during treatment. For these reasons it is a good idea to wear loose fitting clothing. Sometimes it is necessary to dress down, particularly for neurological testing and we provide a medical gown and changing facilities for this purpose.  Some patients prefer to wear or bring with them shorts/sports bras or alternative thin tight fitting clothing. Again, we can provide changing facilities for this purpose. Please discuss this with James if you are at all concerned  and remember your preferences will always be accommodated. We ask about any accidents, surgery, illnesses and associated dates, some patients prefer to bring a pre-prepared list with them as an aide memoir.  Muscles and joints often remain affected for decades after these incidents. Patients often find it difficult to remember the names of their medication and find it easier to bring a list with them. If you have any medical reports or scan/x-ray results then please bring them with you too.

​

7. Do you treat children, babies and pregnant women?

​

Yes, I treat many children and pregnant women.  You will need to attend treatment as a chaperone if the patient is 16 years or under. Unfortunately,  I do not treat babies  under 5 years old.  

​

8. Does treatment hurt? Do you use 'clunks' and 'clicks'? 

​

Treatment does not hurt. Osteopathic technique is generally gentle and if you are concerned then we can discuss this and choose techniques that you prefer.  James can easily adapt his treatment to avoid  'clunks' and 'clicks' and/or deep massage. Please discuss this with him.

​

9. How experienced are you and are you regulated?

​

Osteopaths have to study for five years at university under the guidance of experienced practicing Osteopaths and undertake at least 1200 clinic hours prior to sitting practical registration exams with the governments  General Osteopathic Council. The General Osteopathic Council is similar to the General Medical Council that regulates doctors in the UK.  It is against the law to claim to be an Osteopath without being registered.  James has been working as an Osteopath for approx 10 years.

​

10. How do I make a complaint about my treatment?

​

James is always available to discuss any problems you are having and will always listen to your concerns about your treatment.  It is not about delivering a treatment without regard for your preferences, this is your treatment and you always have a say.  Just tell James if there is anything you do not like.  If you feel that there has been a problem with your treatment and you are not comfortable discussing this with James, then you can discuss this with the owner of Cleobury Chiropractic, Sue Brown.   If this does not resolve the problem or you feel serious misconduct has taken place then you can raise this direct with the General Osteopathic Council. 

​

11. Can I bring someone with me?

​

Yes, no problem, some patients prefer to bring someone into the treatment room with them. In fact, all patients 16 years or under must attend with a parent or guardian. 

​

12. Can I discuss my condition with you before my appointment?

​

Yes, I am happy to discuss your condition with you prior to treatment and can confirm whether I can help or not.  

​

13. Can I help myself, will I have to do any exercises? 

​

Medical research shows that treatment in combination with exercise and modification of activities is the best way to aid quick recovery.   James uses an industry gold standard exercise tool to provide you with exercise programmes tailored to your personal condition, lifestyle and health.  As well as demonstrating these exercises to you, you will be provided with an email detailing how to perform the exercises and how many to do. It is of course up to you whether you do these exercises. Some patients like to agree a programme that becomes increasingly more difficult, this can be very rewarding because patients are often surprised by how much more they can do in a relatively short time. There is much confusion about how many times and how long to do exercises for; the advice provided by the clinic is fully scientifically researched and kept up to date with Continuous Professional Development training (CPD). 

​

14. Can you help me return to sport?

​

Yes, I am trained to rehabilitate people and get them back to being able to perform at a professional and amateur level. I am a qualified ASA swimming teacher and have trained in optimising bike set-up with physiotherapists from the Team Sky and Orica Greenedge cycling teams. I also am an Ironman, ultra-distance runner and endurance cyslist. Always happy to advise on training and racing. James has worked with Wheelchair Tennis athletes and recreational tennis players. Cyclists, Runners, Gymnasts, Swimmers, Motorcyclists, Moto-cross riders, Archers, Rally drivers, Horse riders, Triathletes, Pentathletes, Tetrathletes, Golfers, Badminton players, musicians,conductors and more.

​

15. Do you treat using 'clunks and clicks'?

​

I don't have to. When it is appropriate and the patient is happy, I can treat using techniques that gap joints and create 'clunks and clicks'. However, I can easily avoid these techniques if you prefer.  I will always discuss this with you and would never deliberately suddenly create 'clunks or clicks' without warning.

​

16. What are your treatment hours?

​

Monday & Friday: 10am -4pm.  Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 4pm-9pm if you need an evening appointment.   Wednesday: 7:30am and 9:30am if you need an early morning treatment. 

​

​