Your first consultation usually takes an hour. When you arrive the osteopath will take a case history, going over your past and present medical conditions and covering everything that may be relevant, including areas of diet, medication, family history and emotional stress.

You will be examined, this may involve undressing to your underwear. To make you feel more comfortable feel free to wear shorts or swimwear if this helps.

Then, with observation and palpation, the osteopath will be able to assess the quality, state, mobility, dynamic interactions of joints, muscles and other tissues of the body.

There may be other tests, if necessary, including reflexes, blood pressure etc. As a result the practitioner may refer you back to your GP for further investigations, or may suggest other therapies.

Osteopathic treatment and diagnosis are fashioned to the individual person and are guided by interpretation of palpations. Advice may be given on diet, lifestyle, exercise etc.

Click here to find out more about how general treatment feels.