Treatments and what happens when you visit the clinic

1. Initial consultation and treatment (adults)

2. Cranial Osteopathy Initial consultation and treatment (babies)

3. Follow up treatment(s)

4. Combined follow up treatments (adults)

———–

1. Initial consultation and treatment (1 hour)

NB: There is a flight of stairs to reach the 1st floor clinic (and no lift) which prevents wheelchair and buggy access.  Please come up to the first floor, take a right and go through the black door into reception and take a seat. 

Once you’ve entered the treatment room for your face to face appointment and taken a seat, you will be asked further questions by Fiona as she goes through your completed intake form and your posture and function will then be examined in various different positions – standing, sitting and/or lying down on the plinth. You may be asked to undress to your underwear for this part of the consultation (please bring shorts and/or sports bra to wear if you would feel more comfortable).

Fiona will then discuss her findings and diagnosis with you and advise you of her suggested treatment plan before starting treatment. Treatments and treatment plans are always discussed with the patient beforehand to make sure that you remain informed and within your comfort zone.

Once the treatment plan has been agreed with you, Fiona will start treating you using the treatments already mentioned – a combination of gentle massage, stretching and joint articulation and mobilisation as appropriate. Mobilisation may involve the use of a technique called high velocity low amplitude thrust (HVT). The aim of this treatment is to improve range of movement in a joint and reduce muscular tension surrounding that joint. With the consent of the patient, dry-needling (modern acupuncture) may also be used to release muscle tension by treating specific trigger points. This alleviates nerve tissue irritation by reducing the nerve impulse, or stimulating local blood supply where it may be naturally poor. Cranial Osteopathy may also be used as appropriate.

At the end of the treatment, advice will then be given on appropriate self-help treatments, posture, exercises and the application of heat or ice (as there can be some tenderness and aching after the treatment which is normal and can be expected to ease within 48 hours).

2. Babies: Cranial Osteopathy Initial Consultation and Treatment (1 hour)

NB: Parents / guardians of babies and small children, please note:

– there is no lift up to the first floor so you might want to leave your buggy on the ground floor or carry your baby in a car seat or in your arms
– I have toys but do please bring any specific things that you think might keep your baby distracted (for example a dummy, the white noise they like or a wee toy or two)
– also, despite it being a very gentle treatment, either breast or bottle feeding is sometimes needed to distract and/or comfort so please be prepared with a bottle as appropriate.
– both parents or partners can attend (masks required at all times).

Once you’re all settled in the treatment room for your baby’s face to face appointment, the mother and/or partner will be asked further questions (following completion of the online intake form) about the pregnancy, the birth and the baby’s health, constitution, feeding and sleeping patterns.

The cranial osteopath (Fiona) will then assess the problem and subtly and gently release any pressure that remains from the birth using very gentle techniques and their highly developed sense of palpation. Treatment can take place with your baby in your lap, whilst feeding or upright. Often the baby sleeps like a baby after the treatment!

Please visit this page on the Essential Osteopathy website for more information:

https://www.essentialosteopathy.co.uk/treatments/cranial-osteopathy/

3. Follow-up treatment(s) (40 minutes)

Fiona will get a brief update from you as to your symptoms and how you are progressing after which she will continue treating as agreed in the initial appointment. In the case of treatment of a baby or young child, Fiona will be updated by his or her parent(s) before continuing treatment.

Further advice and exercises will be prescribed as appropriate.

4. Combined follow up treatment (1 hour)

This 1 hour long follow up treatment will usually include acupuncture and/or Cranial Osteopathy combined with structural Osteopathic treatment as appropriate.

Further exercises and advice will be given as appropriate.