Frequently Asked Questions (click question to go straight to answer)
What is the difference between an osteopath and a
chiropractor?
Do I need a doctor's referral?
Do you offer a free initial consultation?
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
Can I see a male/female osteopath?
How long will my appointment last?
How much will I have to pay?
Can I claim the cost against my medical insurance?
How many sessions will I need?
What should I wear?
Will it hurt?
Am I too old/young for treatment?
Are there any side effects?
Can I have osteopathy if I'm pregnant?
Whereabouts are you located?
Do you have disabled access?
Can I request a home visit?
Can I buy gift vouchers?
I have a question that isn't listed here.
What is
the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?
Chiropractic and osteopathy are both manipulation-based
therapies used for treating problems associated with bones, joints and the back.
The two therapies have much in common, but chiropractors tend to focus on the
joints of the spine, and the nervous system, while osteopaths put equal emphasis
on the joints and surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Physiotherapists and doctors sometimes use spinal manipulation and mobilisation techniques similar to those used by chiropractors and osteopaths.
Do I need a doctor's
referral?
You do not need your GPs consent to visit an osteopath. In
fact, the majority of patients we see come to us recommended by friends and/or
family. (see also
private medical insurance)
Do you
offer a free initial consultation?
Unfortunately we don't. In order for an osteopath to fully assess
you they would need to take a detailed medical history and carry out a physical
examination to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If after the consultation the
osteopath is in any doubt about your suitability for treatment you would be
referred back to your GP.
If you have any questions about your suitability for osteopathic treatment then feel free to contact the clinic where one of our osteopaths would be happy to speak to you. Please note that during busy periods we may have to take your number and get an osteopath to call you back.
How long will I have to wait for an appointment?
We can usually arrange an appointment for you with an
osteopath within a week. For our patients convenience we offer
appointments on a Monday and Tuesday evening however, these can be very popular
and book up quickly.
Can I see a
male/female osteopath?
Stillpoint Clinic has one male and two female osteopaths.
Just mention your preference when you book your appointment.
How long will
my appointment last?
Initial consultations usually last between 30 and 45 minutes.
Follow-up treatments last for 30 minutes.
How much will I have
to pay?
Initial consultations cost £45 and follow-up treatments are
£35.
Can I claim the cost against my medical insurance?
Many of our patients successfully claim the cost of their
treatment from their insurance company. We recommend that you contact your
medical insurance company prior to undergoing osteopathic treatment to ensure
that you are covered. In many circumstances you may need a referral letter
from your GP.
All of our osteopaths are registered with the major health insurance companies and we have experience of dealing with Bupa, AXA PPP, Standard Life and Medisure in addition to providing receipts for HSA. We do charge an administration charge for invoicing insurance companies directly. Please speak to our Practice Manager for more information.
How many sessions
will I need?
How long is a piece of string?! It is hard to tell how many
sessions you will need until an osteopath has carried out a full assessment.
Some conditions clear up after a couple of treatments; others may take longer to
sort out. After your first appointment, the osteopath should be able to give you
an estimate of the number of treatments you will require.
What should I wear?
To enable the osteopath to physically examine you, you may be
required to remove some outer clothing so easily removable items and sensible
underwear is best.
When treating certain conditions, we recommend that you bring a pair of shorts
with you to wear during your treatment as this generally helps patients to feel
more at ease with the osteopath.
Additionally, our osteopaths are perfectly happy for you to bring someone
along to accompany you if you would prefer.
Will it hurt?
In the majority of cases, patients feel better within days,
hours and often minutes of having treatment. Other patients may feel slightly
ill for an hour or so, in a few cases for a day or two, then they begin to feel
better. Of course, everybody is different and we all react differently,
therefore it is not possible to predict with a degree of accuracy how each
individual will react.
A simple analogy is that of a housekeeper who has been incapacitated for some time and, on their return to household work, makes a thorough spring clean. Similarly, following treatment based on natural principles i.e. osteopathy, the Central Nervous System will start to clear the accumulated rubbish (toxins and waste materials) from the organs and glands. It is during this cleansing process that the recipient of the treatment feels under the weather. As these waste toxins are carried by the blood stream and this accounts for the odd headache and grogginess.
Within a few weeks (sometimes only days or hours) after treatment, these discomfort pass away and the constructive repair work proceeds, aches and pains giving way to ease and flexibility making life feel so much more worthwhile and enjoyable.
Am I too
old/young for treatment?
Patients may be treated for the trauma of birth to the
arthritis of the elderly and so there is no age barrier for osteopathic
treatment. Babies can be treated within hours of birth and well...you're only as
old as you feel!
Are there any side
effects?
Side effects are generally very rare. You may experience some
tiredness or soreness for a few days afterwards but this will subside.
Osteopathy is a very safe and effective form of treatment and most patients feel
substantially better for it.
Can I have
osteopathy if I'm pregnant?
Osteopathy is perfectly safe during pregnancy. Pregnancy
produces the largest postural change that a woman's body will undergo.
Osteopaths use their skills to help relieve the aches and pains caused by weight
and posture changes during and after pregnancy.
After delivery it is advised that mother and baby return for structural
examination, advice and check-ups and, if necessary, treatment.
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Whereabouts are you
located?
We can be found in the Dane Bank area of Denton in Greater
Manchester. Bordering Tameside and close to junction 24 of the M60. Click here
for
how to find us.
Do you have disabled
access?
Stillpoint Clinic is wheelchair friendly. All of our
treatment rooms are on the ground floor and there is a patient toilet adapted
for disabled use.
Can I request a home
visit?
Unfortunately we are unable to carry out home visits.
Can I buy gift vouchers?
Gift vouchers are available to buy from reception and can be
purchased in any denomination and for any treatment.
I have a
question that isn't listed here.
If you have a query that we haven't answered, please
telephone the clinic where our Practice Manager will be happy to help. If
the clinic is closed or we are unable to come to the phone, do leave us a
message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
