Osteopathy diagnoses and treats problems that occur due to injury, stress or perhaps disease, helping the musculo-skeletal system to work as efficiently as possible and enabling the body to heal itself. The osteopath uses his or her hands to assess the state and mobility of your body's musculo-skeletal system. These are the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves and connective tissues. Examination and treatment is seldom painful despite the acute nature of many problems treated. Osteopathy is an inherently safe recognised system of health care which has been established for over 100 years. The UK's 3500 osteopaths provide over seven million patient consultations a year.

It may be possible to claim against your private health insurance. (BUPA Int, AXA/PPP Int, Foresters, HSA, Allianz etc) You will need to check with the insurer to confirm the available cover, some require a GP referral.

Yes, GPs are permitted to refer patients to osteopaths as statutory regulated professionals, in accordance with guidelines from the General Medical Council (GMC).

A variety of conditions are commonly treated. These include

• backs and necks, eg. muscle strains, ligament sprains, disc injuries, whiplash, postural fatigue.
• shoulder problems, such as supraspinatus tenditis
• arm, elbow and hands, such as golfers and tennis elbow
• injuries from over-use of wrists and hands
• foot and ankle injuries, such as inversion and eversion sprains
• knee injuries, eg. Infra patella tendonitis
• mechanical effects due to pregnancy
• sports injury

If an injury cannot be treated, we can make referral elsewhere.

We are happy to treat any patient over the age of 5 years, including pregnant women. However, we do not treat babies or very young children.

Treatment plans are discussed with the patient and always tailored to an individual's specific needs and circumstances.

Your first visit to an osteopath will be similar to a visit to your GP.

The Osteopath will need to know how and when the symptoms began and other factors which affect them. Please tell us what medication you are taking

After the relevant medical history has been discussed, a physical examination is carried out which may include orthopaedic, neurological or circulatory examination.

As with visits to your GP, you will usually be asked to partially undress for the physical examination, so it is best to wear something comfortable.

This thorough investigation and assessment leads to diagnosis. Treatment patterns will be explained to you and you will be given an estimate of the time scale for your recovery, where appropriate.

All personal and clinical information is recorded and stored in confidence, in compliance with the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, (2001).