Measured, not guessed
Most treatment relies on one question: how does it feel? We ask that too. Then we measure, so you and we can both see how your recovery is really going.
5.0 from 24 Google reviewsWhy measure?
How you feel matters most, but pain changes from day to day, and it often settles before strength, balance and control have fully come back. That gap is one of the reasons problems return.
Measuring gives you a clear starting point, shows whether your plan is working, and helps us decide when you’re ready to do more. It also means you can see your progress in black and white, not just hope it’s there.
What we measure
- Strength and power, left against right, where it will help, on VALD ForceDecks force plates, the same kind of system used by professional sports teams. How force plate testing works.
- Balance: how steadily you stand and control your weight on each leg.
- Movement: how far your joints move, and how you squat, step and bend.
- Day-to-day function: your pain, sleep and what you can do, scored the same way each time so changes are easy to see.
- Muscle in each arm and leg, using our Tanita body composition analyser, where it helps.
Not every problem needs every test. We only use the ones that will help with yours.
An example
Say you’ve hurt your knee. A few weeks on, it feels much better. But on the force plates, your injured leg is still pushing noticeably less than your other leg. That tells us your rehab isn’t finished, so we target your exercises at closing the gap, then re-test at your review so you can watch it shrink.
How it works
The same three steps, whatever brings you in.
Measure
A full assessment of your problem, plus the starting measures that matter for it, explained in plain English.
Treat and train
Hands-on treatment and a plan of exercises aimed at what we’ve found, so every session has a clear purpose.
Re-test
We repeat the same measures at your review, so you can see what’s changed and we can adjust your plan.
Who it’s for
- Back, neck, shoulder, hip and knee pain, especially if it keeps coming back
- Recovering from an injury, or from surgery once your surgeon is happy for you to start rehab
- Getting back to running, the gym or team sport: see return to sport
- Staying strong, steady and independent as you get older: see our longevity assessments
Why we work this way
Our osteopaths teach the next generation of osteopaths at Plymouth Marjon University, and our team’s experience runs from university teaching to professional football and rugby. Measuring progress is what good rehabilitation looks like, and it’s at the heart of Health Autonomy: helping you understand your own body and take charge of it.
Questions about measured recovery
Is measuring included in my appointment?
Yes. Simple measures of movement, balance and function are part of every assessment. When force plate testing will help, for example with leg or back injuries, getting back to sport, or worries about balance, a short test is included in your normal appointment at no extra charge. Not everyone needs it, and we’ll always explain why we’re suggesting it. See our fees.
Do I need to be sporty?
Not at all. The tests are adapted to you. For some people that means jumping; for others it means standing still on each leg or rising from a chair. They’re just as useful for staying strong and steady as you get older.
How often will you re-test?
Usually at a review appointment a few weeks into your plan, and again before you finish, so you can see how far you’ve come. We’ll agree the timing with you.
Will the numbers tell you what’s wrong?
No. The measures show how your body is performing, not what is causing your pain, and they aren’t a medical diagnosis. We use them alongside a full assessment, your own goals and how you feel.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you can move in, such as shorts or leggings, and trainers.