Your first appointment will last 45-60 minutes and will include:

Medical history
You will be asked about your presenting problem, your general medical history and any medication you are taking at present. This is helpful in determining the likely factors contributing to your problem.

Physical examination
An assessment is made of your physical condition by looking at your posture and mobility and gently feeling the tone of your muscles and the flexibility of your joints. This helps to clarify the most likely cause of the problem. If it is necessary other tests may be used to assess the function of, for example, your nerves, lungs, heart and blood vessels.

Treatment
By going through the stages outlined above osteopaths are able to determine what treatment is most appropriate in dealing with the underlying causes of your condition. This usually includes massage and mobilisation techniques and is typically gentle and usually does not hurt. Cranial osteopathic techniques are also often used.

It is important that you feel comfortable with the treatment and any comments that you have will be welcome. For example, sometimes deep tissue massage is used to release well established muscular tension. This may be uncomfortable for the short periods in which it is used. If you prefer, there are other techniques which can be used to achieve the same results but which take a little longer. You will be able to discuss treatment options such as these as and when they come up.

Rarely patients have conditions that are not suitable for osteopathic treatment. If this is the case you will be advised what to do next.

In order to build on what has been achieved during the treatment, you may be given simple exercises to do at home. You may also be given advice about whether hot or cold packs would help your condition.

Clothing
It is easier to assess and treat patients in their underwear. However, please don't worry if you would rather not undress as it is not essential.

Follow-up appointments
These last 30 minutes. You will be advised about the optimum time between treatments