OSTEOPATHYPLUS.CO.UK
Terry Rulten
BSc.Hons.Ost.
REGISTERED
OSTEOPATH
Call: 01277 848900 for appointments and advice
The Brentwood Clinic
31 Shenfield Road, Bentwood, Essex. CM15 8AG
What kinds of problems can osteopathy help with?
What can I expect when I visit an osteopath?
How many treatments will I need?
Do I need a referral from my GP?
How can I be sure I am in safe hands?
What do the letters DO and/or BSc(Ost) after osteopaths' names mean?
Can I have osteopathic treatment on the NHS?
Can I have osteopathy on my private medical insurance?
What should I do if I am unhappy with my osteopathic treatment?
What is the status of osteopathy in the UK?
What are the origins of
osteopathy?
What is
osteopathy?
Osteopathy is an established, recognised system of diagnosis and treatment which
lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body.
It is distinctive by the fact that it recognises that much of the pain and
disability which we suffer stems from abnormalities in the function of the
body's structure as well as damage caused to it by disease.
[Description by the General Osteopathic Council, 28th October 1998]
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What kinds of
problems can osteopathy help with?
Whilst back and neck pain are the most common problems seen, osteopathy can help
with a wide variety of problems including changes to posture in pregnancy,
babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain injury, postural problems
caused by driving or work strain, children with glue ear, the pain of arthritis
and sports injuries among many others.
Terry Rulten will be happy to advise you as to whether he can help with your own
particular problem. Feel free to give him a call at the Brentwood Clinic on
01277 848900.
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What can I expect
when I visit the osteopath?
When you visit Terry for the first time, a full case history will be taken
including details of your present problem, your past medical history and health
in general. You may be asked to remove some of your outer clothing as
appropriate, so that a thorough examination may be carried out to determine the
nature of the problem.
The examination would typically involve you carrying out a simple series of movements to
identify areas of dysfunction. Palpation will identify any points of weakness or
excessive strain throughout the body. Other tests such as neurological testing,
blood pressure, X-Ray or MRI investigations may be carried out or arranged if
necessary.
The assessment will be considered alongside lifestyle factors such as work and
leisure to enable a full diagnosis and treatment plan to be developed.
Following treatment, advice can be given on what you may be able to do to help
yourself, and how you can minimise the risk of further injury.
Treatment will normally begin on the first visit.
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What does treatment involve?
Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide variety of treatment techniques to
suit the individual patient and the problem being treated. These may include
soft tissue techniques, rhythmic passive joint mobilisation or high velocity
thrust techniques designed to improve mobility and the range of movement of a
joint.
Gentle release techniques are widely used, particularly when treating children
or elderly patients. This allows the body to return to efficient normal
function.
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How much does treatment cost?
When visiting Terry Rulten at the Brentwood Clinic:
The initial consultation, examination and treatment costs £40.
Follow up treatments are £33.
Payment is by card, cash or cheque with cheque card at the time of consultation
and treatment.
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How many treatments will I
need?
Osteopathy is patient centred, which means treatment is geared to you as an
individual. Terry should be able to give you an indication after your first
visit. As a guide, for some acute pain, one or two treatments may be all that is
necessary. Chronic conditions may need ongoing maintenance treatment. An average
is 6 to 8 sessions.
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Do I need a referral from my
GP?
No, the vast majority of patients self-refer.
A formal referral from your GP is not necessary.
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How can I be sure I am in
safe hands?
Osteopathy is one of the safest forms of healthcare available.
A Registered Osteopath has demonstrated to the General Osteopathic Council via a
detailed application process that they are a safe and competent practitioner,
that they have adequate malpractice insurance and have agreed to abide by a Code
of Practice.
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What do the letters DO and/or BSc(Ost) after osteopaths' names mean?
These are osteopathic qualifications. The DO stands for diploma in osteopathy,
the BSc is a degree in osteopathy. The length of training is the same for both,
at least four years full-time training. The diploma course has been around the
longest, the BSc degree is now the standard osteopathic qualification.
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Can I have
osteopathic treatment on the NHS?
Most osteopaths work solely in private practice, as does Terry Rulten. A few osteopaths may provide
treatment on the NHS via a General Practice or local hospital. Enquire at your
own GP practice to see if this is available in your area.
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Can I
have osteopathy on my private medical insurance?
Many healthcare insurers pay for osteopathic treatment. However, insurers vary
enormously in terms of what they cover and how you should seek treatment and
re-claim the cost of treatment. You are therefore advised to contact your
insurer as soon as possible if you intend to make a claim.
In all cases, it is your responsibility to pay for your treatment at the time of
treatment and to make a claim as appropriate through your insurer for repayment.
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What should I do if I am unhappy with my osteopathic treatment?
Often problems are caused by misunderstandings and can easily be resolved by
discussing your concerns with the osteopath directly. This should be done in the
first instance. If this does not resolve the problem or your concerns are of a
more serious nature, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) has a Code of
Practice which patients may refer to.
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What is the
status of osteopathy in the UK?
The 1993 report from the British Medical Association "Complementary Medicine -
New Approaches to Good Practice" recognised osteopathy as a discrete clinical
discipline.
Osteopathy is the first complementary health care profession to be accorded
statutory regulation (Osteopaths Act 1993).
This legislation came into force on 9th May 2000 requiring all osteopaths to be
registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
It is now illegal for anyone to call themselves an osteopath unless they are
registered with the GOsC.
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What are the origins of
osteopathy?
Andrew Taylor Still, born in 1828 in Virginia, USA, trained as a doctor
according to the system of medical education available at the time. As time went
on he followed a different path from many of his peers, eschewing alcohol and
the habit of contemporary physicians of administering crude drugs at their
disposal in heroic quantities. This drove him to seek new methods of treating
sickness. The outcome of his research was the application of physical treatment
as a specialised form of treatment for which he coined the name 'Osteopathy'.
In 1892 A T Still organised a school in Kirksville, Missouri, for the teaching
of osteopathy and it was from these small beginnings that osteopathy was brought
to the UK around the turn of the century. The first school of osteopathy in the
UK was set up in London in 1917 and over time other schools and colleges
followed.
Today there are around 3,000 osteopaths in the UK performing over six-million
patient consultations a year.
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