Yes, we deal with a huge variety of injuries and pain, helping diagnose, treat and educate you on the issues you are struggling with. Striving to have you pain-free and educated on your own rehab and how you can help your self in no time.

At 8^th Element, the initial consultation and assessment is 45-50 minutes, with follow up treatments lasting 30 minutes.

The title ‘osteopath’ is protected by law, and only those included on the Register are entitled to practice as osteopaths. Unregistered practice is a criminal offence in the UK.

Yes. GPs refer patients to osteopaths where they believe this intervention would be beneficial. Referral guidelines are provided by the General Medical Council.

Most patients ‘self refer’ to an osteopath for treatment. Although referral by a GP is not necessary, patients are encouraged to keep both their GP and osteopath fully informed, so that their medical records are current and complete and the patient receives the best possible care from both healthcare practitioners.

Many private health insurance policies provide cover for osteopathic treatment. It may be possible to claim for a course of treatment but you should check in advance with your insurance company before seeking osteopathic treatment, in order to confirm the available level of cover and whether you will need to have a referral from your GP or a specialist.

Undergraduate students follow a four or five-year degree course combining academic and clinical work. Qualification generally takes the form of a bachelor’s degree in osteopathy – a BSc(Hons), BOst or BOstMed – or a masters degree in osteopathy (MOst). Many osteopaths continue their studies after graduating. Osteopaths are required to update their training throughout their working lives. They must complete at least 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development per year.

At the first consultation, the osteopath will compile a full case history of your symptoms, as well as asking for information about your lifestyle and diet. The osteopath may also observe you making some simple movements to help them make a diagnosis. You will usually be asked to remove some clothing near the area of the body to be examined. Osteopaths are trained to examine areas of the body using a highly-developed sense of touch, known as palpation, to determine conditions and identify the body’s points of weakness or excessive strain. Osteopathy is a ‘package’ of care that includes skilled mobilising and manipulative techniques, reinforced by guidance on diet and exercise. The osteopath will discuss with you the most appropriate treatment plan, estimating the likely number of sessions needed to treat your condition effectively. If the osteopath thinks that your condition is unlikely to respond to osteopathic treatment, you will be advised about how to seek further care. Osteopaths are skilled in diagnostic techniques and trained to identify when a patient needs to be referred to a GP.

Osteopathy has an extremely safe reputation and a major adverse occurrence is very rare, rarer than from taking medication (Carnes D, Mars TS, Mullinger B, Froud R, Underwood M Study by Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of London Warwick Medical School and the European School of Osteopathy, into ‘Adverse events in Manual Therapy 2009)

An osteopathic degree takes a minimum of 4 years and requires completion of over 1000 hours of clinical contact prior to qualification (Institute of Osteopathy 2017).