The Carl Todd Clinic : Find answers to common questions

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Below you can find answers to some of the questions people frequently ask about the treatment we provide. If you can't find the answers or infomation you're looking for on this page, just contact us.

• What happens at my first visit?
• How long does it take?
• Is osteopathy safe?
• How many treatments will I need?
• Should I take painkillers?
• Is the treatment painful?
• What training has a registered osteopath undertaken?
• Do I need to consult my GP first?
• Can I have osteopathic treatment during pregnancy?
• Is osteopathy suitable for children and infants?
• Can I have osteopathic treatment after surgery?
• Can osteopathy help improve my sports performance?

When you visit one of our clinics for the first time we will take your full medical history, including details of any past and present illness, accidents, X-rays or scans. We promise to handle all your personal information in the strictest confidence.

We'll then ask you to remove your outer clothing and to perform a series of simple movements so that we can assess the mobility of your body and identify areas of strain, weakness or injury. We will then make a detailed and thorough assessment of your musculoskeletal system.

We will also ask you questions about your lifestyle, work, emotional state, and sporting and leisure activities, and will take your answers into account before reaching a diagnosis. Your osteopath will then discuss a personalised treatment plan with you.

Treatment times will vary depending on your needs. Your first consultation may take 45 to 60 minutes, while subsequent visits may take 20 to 30 minutes. We can accommodate patients with disabilities at both of our clinics. Wheelchair access is available in Box, while home visits can be arranged in Swindon.

An initial consultation usually takes between 45 minutes and 60 minutes. Subsequent treatment sessions take between 20 and 30 minutes, though times will vary according to your individual needs.

Yes. Osteopathic treatment is a non-invasive and gentle approach to health. It has proven to be remarkably safe, relying on relaxed movements, mobilisation and manipulation of joints along with soft tissue massage. No surgery or drugs are involved. Most patients experience pain because their tissues have become damaged or overused. We are trained to recognise pain arising from diseased or damaged tissue that would benefit from the skills of a medical practitioner. We will explain the possible risks of treatment and discuss any worries you have before beginning your personalised treatment programme, but you can be reassured by the knowledge that osteopathic care has helped millions of people over the past 100 years.

This will depend on your individual problem and how long you've had it. Of course, every patient reacts differently, but we will be able to advise you on your likely recovery time. In most cases you will feel a definite change for the better early on in your treatment plan. In general though, the longer you've had the problem or pain, the longer it will take to get it sorted. Your obvious commitment to the suggested treatment programme, including home exercises and any lifestyle alterations will also determine your progress and your long term benefits from osteopathic care.

Painkillers may help reduce the symptoms of pain, but they don't address the cause. They may also have unnecessary side effects such as stomach upsets, drowsiness and nausea. Osteopathy is a much safer way of dealing with your pain and resolving the cause of it. If the cause of pain is not addressed promptly, unnecessary degenerative changes may result. The osteopathic care we provide aims to resolve the underlying cause of pain with the objective of improving and maintaining your long-term health.

No, the treatment isn't painful when performed by our qualified professionals. If your problem has been untreated for a while, you may experience some post-treatment soreness for up to 48 hours. This will soon pass as your body begins to adapt. But don't worry – we'll explain how to keep symptoms to a minimum.

Osteopathy was the first complementary healthcare profession to be accorded statutory regulation by the government, and our osteopaths are expert primary contact healthcare professionals. Our qualified osteopaths have undergone five years of training to gain a BSc (Hons) degree or equivalent, and are registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). The GOsC protects patients by regulating and setting standards for osteopathic education, practise and conduct.

There is no need to consult your GP before visiting us, although you may choose to do so. Our osteopaths are classed as ‘primary care physicians’ – this means you can consult us without approaching your GP beforehand. While we don't have the authority to prescribe drugs or painkillers, we are able to provide off-work certificates/sick notes if necessary.

Our osteopathic treatment is gentle and safe throughout your pregnancy. In fact, pregnancy is a good time to visit us, since your body is changing so much and so quickly. We can ease any restrictions and strains quite simply, as your ligaments are softer than usual at this time in your life. The treatment we provide can also help to make labour easier, through the balancing effect it has on the joints and ligaments.

Yes – everyone can benefit from our treatment, no matter what their age. The techniques we use on children and infants are very different to those we use on adults: because children are very delicate, we adapt our treatment to suit the needs of the young body. We regularly treat babies and children effectively for problems such as colic, sleep and feeding problems, hyperactivity, asthma and breathing difficulties, digestive problems, speech problems, glue ear and dyslexia. Talk to us about cranial osteopathy to find out more.

Yes, in most cases we can treat you after surgery – we can advise you on your own circumstances. The treatment we provide after surgery helps keep the soft tissues around the joints relaxed, stable and balanced, with the aim of reducing premature degeneration within the joints themselves. Many patients have benefited from the osteopathic care we provide post-surgery, and we've helped many more to avoid surgery altogether due to the regular treatment we provide.

Yes. Because our treatment improves the mechanics of joints, muscles and ligaments, many sports people who visit us notice a significant improvement in their performance. If you become injured, we can help to speed up your recovery time using various techniques such as ultrasound, electrotherapy and medical acupuncture. And, after we've corrected your injury, we can design a rehabilitation programme to reduce the risk of the injury reoccurring.