Your First Visit

Taking a Case history  

On your first appointment we will ask you questions about your symptoms, work, hobbies and your lifestyle as well as your medical history. We will ask you what makes your symptoms better and worse. This helps us to understand what is going on for you. It helps not only to give you a diagnosis but to give treatment and advice that is relevant to you.  For information about a first appointment for babies and children, please see our FAQs page.

 The more you discuss your current needs and goals the more we can tailor our advice to you. We value your choices and want to work in partnership with our patients. We build our treatment plans and give advice based on the information you share. There is no point in saying you run and swim regularly if you can’t swim or don’t like to run. We will try to give you advice that fits with your goals and into your current routine. We want to work with you to keep you motivated to do the things that you love to do.  

After we have taken a full case history, we will examine you standing and sometimes sitting. You may need to remove some clothes so we can see the way your body moves. If you are uncomfortable removing your clothing, many people wear or bring shorts or a sports wear to change into, this allows us to see your body movements better.  

Most patients have a treatment on their first visit, however if we feel we need more information such as a scan or blood test we may ask you to return to your GP.   

More about Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a gentle form of manual therapy. We use a range of hands-on techniques to stretch muscles and encourage joint mobility. We may recommend exercises for you to do at home. If you are in acute pain this may be a very simple routine to encourage your muscles to stay flexible and to encourage movement. The exercise you are given will be specific to you,this may include strengthening or stretching. We will encourage you to return to full activity as quickly as possible. We may suggest a change in your current fitness routine to keep you flexible.  

We work to make treatment as painless as possible. During a treatment you will be encouraged to tell us when you are experiencing discomfort. Everyone one is different so what might feel fine for one person might not for someone else. Though we know when we are touching an an area that is tight or immobile what we don’t know is how it feels for you. We will have an ongoing dialogue to ensure that we are working together with you for your comfort. We will always stop if asked, no discomfort is too small.  

 Occasionally some people can be sore after treatment. This is usually a mild discomfort similar to when you work out for the first time in a while. It will usually decrease within 48 hours. We will encourage you to give us a call if you are unsure about how you are feeling or have any questions. 

 Our Osteopaths have a high level of expertise; they studied to degree level and have over 1000 hours of time in clinics as undergraduates. As health care professionals following graduation, we undertake a programme of continuous professional development to ensure that our skills and knowledge are of the highest current standard. The osteopaths at Eyre Place have also contributed to the leadership and education development of osteopathy in the UK and internationally. They provide a safe and effective diagnosis and treatment of your muscle-skeletal pain. All of our osteopaths are regulated by The General Osteopathic Council GosC and members of the institute of Osteopathy.