FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Durnig this second lockdown we are open and happy to see patients. However, there will be some changes in how we normally operate. We are following strict hygiene standards within the clinic and we will be following our governing bodies and AATC COVID 19 policy for wearing PPE in order to provide a safe working environment for both patients and practitioners. This does take extra time, so please be patient. We will need to carry out an over the phone risk assessment prior to any face to face consultation. If you would like to book a consultation then a Covid-19 screening questionnaire will be sent out with your appointment confirmation email. Patients will be expected to sanitise and wear a mask at all times in the clinic. If you develop symptoms, test positive for covid-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive prior to your appointment, then please let the us know as soon as possible. If you have been struggling with a problem that is causing you pain and restricted movement, or affecting your ability to function at work or keep active, then please give us a call to see if we can help. We look forward to hearing from you. Telephone us on: 01827 736710

Initial Consultation: £55.00 for 45 mins – 1 hour Follow up appointments: £42.00 for 40 mins Sport/Deep Tissue Massage: £36.00 for 1 hour or £26.00 for 30 mins Payments can be made by: cash, cheque, BACS or debit card Please Note: A cancellation fee will be charged if 24-hours-notice is not given before cancelling an appointment. If you cancel more than one appointment within the 24-hour notice period, then we may ask you to pay in advance of booking your next appointment.

No – Osteopaths are trained as primary healthcare practitioners and therefore can diagnose. Certain insurance companies require you to have a GP referral prior to claiming the money back.

Osteopaths use their hands to treat patients employing a wide variety of techniques. Osteopathy takes a holistic approach, treatment is tailored to suit the needs of each patient according to their age, symptoms and past medical history. Within each treatment session the techniques used are modified and adapted to achieve the desired results. Some of the techniques are described below in more detail. CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE >

What to expect! It can be really daunting going somewhere new for the first time, but just to give you an idea about what to expect here is some information about what will happen on your first visit to the clinic. CLICK HERE > to read more.

This includes a variety of different massage techniques to the muscles and connective tissues of the body. Soft tissue massage can be superficial or deep, fast or slow depending on which tissues are being targeted and the changes that are being encouraged.

Articulation of a joint involves moving a joint through a range of movement. When you move a joint such as your knee when walking, the muscle around the joint contracts to enable the joint to move. When an osteopath takes a joint through a range of movements the muscles can remain relaxed (passive) as the osteopath takes the strain and initiates the movement. This technique of passive articulation can be used to stretch tight muscles around a joint, ease out scar tissue or stretch the capsule of the joint. Passive articular techniques improve blood supply, help reduce swelling and increase drainage.

This is the technique where patients hear a clicking sound. It is a useful technique that can be used in certain cases of joint restriction and it is referred to as “manipulation of a joint.” When this technique is used on the small facet joints in the spine it creates a reflex effect that relaxes the deep small muscles around the joint. The clicking noise is a result of a suction type pop as the joint surfaces are momentarily separated. The noise is not an indication of a bone or disc being put back into place. This can be a quick, efficient and dramatic technique but is not suitable in all cases and only forms a small part of an overall treatment session.

Functional techniques are ideal for using on inflamed joints or when muscles are hypertonic (too tight or in spasm). The osteopath guides the joint through a series of small movements until a point of balance is reached and the muscles are able to let go.

This is a form of stretching, where the osteopath may stretch a muscle over a particular joint and ask the patient to resist gently. The muscle is then stretched a little further and the same process is repeated a couple more times. This is a proven and effective way of releasing tight muscles especially around joints.

Ultrasound has many healing benefits, it encourages tissue relaxation and accelerates the breakdown of scar tissue. It stimulates the production of collagen and increases local blood flow which helps to reduce swelling and chronic inflammation. Ultrasound is completely painless. The osteopath will cover the affected area with a gel and use a probe directly onto the skin. The probe emits sound waves at a frequency we can’t hear, which cause rapid vibrations in the target tissue, causing the cells in that area to work harder. The osteopath may also use kinesio taping to enhance the effects of treatment, prescribe exercises and provide short term advice to aid healing and long term advice to try and prevent reoccurrence of the problem in the future.

As with most medical examinations, the osteopath will want to see the area that requires treatment, so you may be asked to dress down to your underwear – so it’s important to wear something you feel comfortable in. Shorts, loose jogging bottoms, vest tops or crop tops are all fine to wear for examination & treatment.

Yes – a member of family or friend are fine to be with you throughout the consultation and treatment if this makes you more comfortable.

Occasionally soft tissue treatment may feel uncomfortable. The osteopath will explain what to expect before each technique and will want to know if you experience any discomfort. Feeling tired, soreness and stiffness is a normal and a healthy post treatment reaction, which usually subsides within 24-48 hours. Similar to what you would experience after exercise.

In many instances, the answer to this is “Yes!” However, how much better and for how long does vary enormously according to the condition being treated and the longevity of the symptoms. After a treatment, tense muscles which have been worked on can feel sore (similar to aching muscles after unaccustomed exercise) and if joint inflammation is present treatment can mildly increase the symptoms for a day or two before a marked improvement is noticed. Patients can feel tired after a treatment session as a deep sense of relaxation occurs, a sure sign that the body has responded. Sometimes a patient can feel energised by treatment as they are no longer suffering with tight painful muscles. Several treatments may be needed to achieve a lasting improvement particularly with long standing/chronic conditions or when muscles need to be strengthened with exercise to improve stability. Osteopathic treatment is aimed at removing obstacles to self-healing. By using massage techniques to relax tight muscles, stretching and manipulation to loosen stiff joints and re-balancing techniques to allow the connective tissues of the body to unwind we help to give your body the best chance to get itself better. When you leave The Atherstone Active Health Clinic it is important to you allow yourself the space to make use of the treatment. Check with your Osteopath whether it is a good idea to go straight back to work, play that round of golf or do the housework. In most cases it is best to take things easy so that your body can absorb the positive effects of treatment.

This completely depends on your condition, how long you have had it for and how you respond to the treatment. The osteopath will aim to keep the treatments to a minimum and should be able to give you an estimated time of recovery and number of sessions needed within the first few treatments.

If the osteopath does not feel that they can help your problem or they feel you require further testing before treatment commences, they will tell you the best course of action. This may involve them writing to your GP or referring you for further tests.

Simply put, yes! At the Atherstone Active Therapy Clinic we aim to help anybody at any stage of life from children to senior citizens. Gentle subtle techniques are used children. Adults in good health may be treated using slightly stronger techniques. As patients grow older different health issues arise, joints stiffen and the possibility of Osteoporosis which may need to be taken into account. Whatever the age or condition the osteopathic approach is modified to deliver safe effective treatment.