Your first osteopathy appointment: what to expect

A first appointment at Chudleigh Health Hub lasts 60 minutes and costs £85. You don’t need a GP referral. The aim of the first visit is simple: to understand what is going on, explain it to you clearly, agree with you what to do about it, and start treatment there and then.

Before you come

• Wear something you can move in. We may need to see how you move, so wear or bring something comfortable, such as shorts or leggings and a vest top.
• Bring a list of any medication you take. If you have letters, scan or X-ray reports about the problem, bring those too.
• Bring someone with you if you’d like to. A friend or relative is always welcome in the room. Children under 16 need a parent or guardian with them.
• Check with your insurer if you plan to claim on health insurance, as some ask for a GP referral or pre-authorisation first.

Step 1: we talk

Your appointment starts with a detailed conversation. We’ll ask about your symptoms, how and when they started, what makes them better or worse, and what they are stopping you from doing. We’ll also ask about your general health, past injuries or operations, your work and your activities. Some questions may not seem connected to your pain, but they help us build a full picture and make sure osteopathy is right for you.

Step 2: we examine

Next we look at how you stand and move, and gently feel the joints and muscles involved. We may check your reflexes, strength or blood pressure if they are relevant. We’ll explain what we’re doing as we go.

We may ask you to remove some outer clothing so we can see and examine the area properly. You can keep on anything you prefer, and we’ll work around what you’re comfortable with.

Step 3: we explain what we’ve found and agree a plan

We’ll tell you in plain language what we think is causing the problem, what we suggest doing about it, and roughly how long it may take to improve. This is your chance to ask questions. Nothing happens without your agreement, and you can change your mind or ask us to stop at any point.

If we think you need to see your GP or have further tests first, we’ll say so and explain why.

Step 4: we start treatment there and then

Once we’ve agreed a plan with you, we start treatment in the same appointment, so you don’t have to come back another day to get going. The only exception is if we think you should see your GP or have further tests first. Depending on what we find, treatment may include hands-on work on muscles and joints, gentle joint movement or manipulation, and exercises. Read more about the techniques we use.

Where it will help, we may also take some simple measurements of your strength, balance or movement, so we can re-test later and show you your progress. How we measure recovery.

Before you leave

You’ll go home with advice and one or two exercises to do between appointments. We’ll tell you honestly whether we think you need to come back, and if so, roughly how many visits we expect. Follow-up appointments last 30 minutes and cost £50.

How you might feel afterwards

It’s common to feel a little sore or tired for a day or two after treatment, much as you might after exercise. This usually settles by itself. If you are worried about how you feel after an appointment, call us on 07902 065739.

Common questions

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can book directly online, by phone or on WhatsApp.

Will it hurt?

Treatment is usually gentle. Some techniques can feel uncomfortable on a sore area, but we’ll check with you as we go and adjust to what you can tolerate.

Is my osteopath registered?

Yes. All our osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council, which is a legal requirement for anyone calling themselves an osteopath in the UK. Meet the team.

Where do I park?

Chudleigh Town Car Park on Market Way (TQ13 0HL) is a one-minute walk away. How to find us.

What if I need to cancel?

Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice. See our fees and cancellation terms.

More answers are on our frequently asked questions page.