FAQs
What happens during a typical appointment?
Your therapist will welcome you and talk you through the plan for the appointment. Anything discussed during the appointment will be confidential. During your first appointment a thorough medical history is recorded and an examination will be conducted. This will involve your therapist asking questions relating to all aspects of your health to ensure treatment is appropriate, safe and effective. During follow-up appointments your therapist will check to see how you have been since your last appointment and discuss any improvements or concerns.
You will then be guided through a series of movements to actively examine how your body moves, before using manual techniques to perform a passive exam. At this stage your therapist will provide a diagnosis and suggest a plan of action. With your consent your therapist will then move on to providing therapeutic treatment through massage, osteopathic joint mobilisation and assisted stretching.
Please note that should you present a complex and lengthy medical history it might not be possible to fit a substantial amount of treatment into your first appointment, but this happens very rarely.
At the end of your appointment your therapist will provide you with self-care advice. In some cases part of an appointment may be spent in the studio working through certain exercises, which your therapist may ask you to perform ahead of your next appointment to help create long term improvements to the way you move and feel.
What do I need to wear?
In order to carry out a full examination and treatment a patient will usually be asked to undress to their underwear. This is so that your therapist can examine how the body moves and any areas of restriction or pain. It is important that patients feel comfortable and at ease, particularly around matters of privacy and modesty, so patients are welcome to change into alternative clothes should they wish to. Your therapist will also use towels to protect patients' modesty. Please note that should you wish to wear shorts during an examination and treatment of your leg(s) that loose fitting shorts will be most suitable. Similarly, should you require treatment to your upper back or shoulders please avoid wearing a sports bra, as the design will make examination and treatment difficult. You are welcome to bring someone with you for all or part of your appointment and your therapist can exit the treatment room to give you more privacy whilst you undress and dress again.
Will treatment be painful?
Depending on your condition, you may already feel increased sensitivity and pain, which your therapist will work to relieve. Some techniques may result in post-treatment soreness, but this is normal and usually settles within 24 - 48 hours. You can always speak to your therapist should you have any questions or feel uncomfortable at any point during your appointment.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments required will depend on the individual patient and their symptoms. Sometimes just one appointment will be sufficient but other patients may require ongoing, longer term treatment.
Can I claim on medical insurance?
Please check with your insurance company prior to booking an appointment. Patients are required to pay when booking their appointment and can then look to submit a claim to their insurance company.
What is the address?
In Earlsfield we are located at ParkSide Gym, 36 Knaresborough Drive, London SW18 4GU.
The UCO Clinic address is University College of Osteopathy, 275 Borough High Steet, London SE1 1JE
Is there parking available?
If you arriving by car, there is usually ample pay and display parking (Mon-Fri 09:30-16:30) available on Acuba Road or Bodmin Street, which are a short walk across the park to ParkSide Gym.
What should I do if I cannot make my appointment as planned?
Please note we operate a strict 24 hour notice policy. Please provide more than 24 hours notice should you need to rearrange or cancel your booking, otherwise you will be charged the full appointment fee.