Frequently Asked Questions for Osteopathic Consultancy in Camberley
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a recognised form of healthcare in the UK that focuses on how the body’s structure and movement affect pain, function, and overall wellbeing.
Osteopaths use hands-on assessment and treatment to help reduce pain, improve movement, and support recovery from injury, strain, or long-standing musculoskeletal problems. Treatment is tailored to the individual and considers how symptoms are affecting daily life, work, and activity.
What conditions do you commonly treat?
We treat a wide range of musculoskeletal problems. These commonly include:
- Low back pain (sometimes referred to as lumbago)
- Spinal pain and stiffness
- Disc-related back pain
- Trapped nerves and nerve-related pain, including sciatica
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Shoulder pain, including rotator cuff-related problems and bursitis
- Back pain related to pregnancy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sports and activity-related injuries
- Muscle and ligament strains
- Joint irritation and reduced mobility
- Stress-related muscular tension
- Lower-limb problems, such as shin pain, calf pain, Achilles tendon issues, foot pain, and fallen arches
- Coccyx (tailbone) pain
- General stiffness or lack of mobility
If you’re unsure whether osteopathy is appropriate for your problem, please contact us — we’re happy to advise.
Do you treat sports people?
Yes. We regularly treat people who are physically active at all levels, from professionals to recreational athletes and those who simply want to stay fit and mobile.Over the years, we have treated people involved in activities such as:
- Football
- Golf
- Running and athletics
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Basketball and netball
- Hockey and cricket
- Weight training and gym-based exercise
- Martial arts
- Dance, yoga, and Pilates
- Horse riding
- Water sports such as sailing and canoeing
- Winter sports including skiing and snowboarding
You don’t need to be an elite athlete — if movement matters to you, we can help.
Is osteopathy suitable if I’m not sporty?
Absolutely. Many of our patients are not involved in sport.
We frequently help people whose pain is affecting:
- Desk or computer-based work
- Manual or physically demanding jobs
- Driving or commuting
- Walking and everyday movement
- Sleep and general comfort
Treatment is always tailored to your lifestyle, needs, and goals.
Can osteopathy help me get back to work or normal activity?
Yes. Many patients attend because pain is limiting their ability to work or carry out normal daily activities.
Our approach focuses on:
- Reducing pain
- Improving movement and function
- Building confidence in your body
- Supporting a safe and realistic return to work or activity
Early assessment and appropriate treatment can often help prevent problems from becoming longer-term.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly with us without a referral.
If we feel further investigation or medical input is needed, we can communicate with your GP or specialist as appropriate.
What if I’m not sure osteopathy is right for me?
That’s completely normal. If you’re unsure, you’re very welcome to contact the clinic to discuss your symptoms before booking. We’re happy to help you decide whether an appointment would be appropriate.
What can you expect from your first visit?
Coming to see an osteopath for the first time can feel a bit daunting — especially if you’re in pain or unsure what will happen. Our aim is to make your first visit clear, comfortable, and genuinely helpful.
Your First Appointment
Your appointment will begin with a thorough conversation about what’s been going on for you.
Your osteopath will ask about:
- What brought you in today
- How your symptoms started and how they’ve changed
- What makes things better or worse
- Your general health and medical history
Some questions may not seem directly related, but they help us build a complete picture and rule out anything important. If something stands out as clinically relevant, we’ll explore it in more detail.
From this, your osteopath will begin to form:
- A working diagnosis (what we think is causing your symptoms)
- A prognosis (how things are likely to progress and recover)
Examination & Assessment
If examination is appropriate, we’ll ask you to undress to your underwear so we can properly assess how your body is moving (comfortable, sensible underwear is helpful).
We will:
- Observe your posture and movement
- Look at how your body mechanics may be contributing to your symptoms
- Ask you to perform simple movements (for example, bending, turning, or lifting an arm)
- Carry out any specific tests needed to clarify the diagnosis
Everything is explained as we go — you’ll always know what we’re doing and why.
Treatment (Only If Appropriate)
If it’s safe and appropriate to proceed, treatment can begin during the same session.
Treatment is always carried out with your consent, and you can stop or change anything at any point. If there’s a technique you’re unsure about, alternatives are usually available.
We use our hands — not machines — to assess and treat the body, using techniques such as:
- Soft tissue techniques (similar to massage)
- Joint mobilisation or manipulation (to improve movement)
- Muscle and joint techniques (including muscle energy, functional and gentle mobilisation methods)
- Cranial techniques (very gentle, subtle movements)
These approaches aim to:
- Improve movement and function
- Reduce pain and inflammation
- Calm the nervous system
- Support recovery and confidence in your body
At the End of Your Appointment
Before you leave, your osteopath will:
- Explain what they believe is causing your symptoms
- Discuss what recovery is likely to look like
- Talk through treatment options and next steps
- Offer advice, exercises, or stretches if appropriate
If further investigation or referral is needed, we’ll explain this clearly and can write to your GP or specialist if required.
Our goal is that you leave feeling informed, reassured, and clear about the plan.
What Does Ongoing Treatment Involve?
At follow-up appointments, we’ll check how you’ve responded to treatment, discuss any changes, and adjust your care accordingly. Treatment remains collaborative — we’re always happy to answer questions or explain anything further.
Clear communication is a priority for us, and we want you to feel comfortable and involved at every stage.
How Long Are Appointments?
Initial Consultation – 60 minutes
- Time to fully understand your problem
- Examination and, if appropriate, treatment
- Opportunity to ask questions and receive advice
Standard Appointments – 30 minutes
- Review of progress
- Ongoing treatment
- Advice or exercises if needed
What If I Can’t Attend the Clinic?
If attending the clinic isn’t possible, we also offer:
- Virtual appointments, conducted online from home
- Home visits (available at an additional cost)
In some cases, a virtual appointment can help reduce pain or improve movement enough to allow you to attend the clinic in person.
If you’re unsure what’s best, just get in touch — we’re happy to advise.
What are your telephone and appointment hours?
Our telephone hours are as follow, and please note: consultations by appointment only.
Monday – Friday: 8am – 6.30pm
Saturday: 8.30am – 2pm
Sunday: Closed
Monday – Friday: 8am – 8pm
Saturday: 8am – 2pm
Sunday: Closed
What are the directions to your practice?
What are your contact details?
3 Milden Close, Frimley Green
Camberley
Surrey GU16 6PX United Kingdom
Are you regulated?
Yes, we are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and are members of the Institute of Osteopathy (iO)
IO – Institute of Osteopathy
Our Osteopaths are all members of the Institute of Osteopathy it gives them the right support to continue to keep up to date, growth and to improve as an Osteopath. They are a vital link to the Osteopathic Community for the clinic and the Osteopaths. We can access continuing professional development (CPD) as a clinic and as Osteopaths.
About the Institute of Osteopathy
General Osteopathic Council (GOsC)
The General Osteopathic Council is the Osteopaths regulatory standards. These are minimum regulatory standards for Osteopaths in the UK. They require Osteopaths to adhere to a code of conduct. Including confidentiality, how we should treat, what we should treat, patient consent and continuing professional development (CPD)
Our Guarantee
Registered with the GosC. Osteopaths must hold recognised qualifications, be indemnity insured, and pass a criminal records check. All our Osteopaths are members of The Institute of Osteopathy.
Money back, if not 100% Satisfied.
History of Osteopathy
Andrew Taylor Still was born in 1828, Virginia, USA and is the founder of Osteopathy. He trained as a doctor which was the only type of medical education available at the time. As time passed, he did not go down the beaten track with his peers. The practice of administering large quantities of crude drugs and the general use of alcohol from Dr Stills point of view were inappropriate. This led him to search for new treatments for illness, which subsequently developed into his research for the application of physical treatment. This new treatment was the birth of what Dr Still called ‘Osteopathy’.
In 1892 Dr Still initiated a school in Kirksville, Missouri to teach Osteopathy. From here it came to the UK around the turn of the century. In London, 1917, the first school of Osteopathy was founded, and eventually other schools and colleges followed.
