What to expect when you visit the Osteopath Clapham
The space
The first thing to say is that treatment takes place in an adapted space at Julieann’s home. It is a large space with room for buggies and siblings, should mums bringing babies need to also bring their transport or their brothers and sisters. There are some toys but it is always wise, if bringing children, to bring their favourite playthings. Story books work well, as do snacks. There is unfortunately no reception and only limited space to sit and wait. However, there is a big garden with free parking. Patients are very welcome to wait in the garden. Some of the younger, and older, patients choose to shoot a few footballs towards the goal we currently have. Others are happy to wait in their car. Please note, there is a bicycle hanging in the hallway to the treatment room but, for your safety, all the pokey bits are covered.
Arriving
Some come by car, parking is free anywhere in the grounds and although we have never had an incident, naturally, as with anywhere, your car is left at your own risk. Others come by bicycle. Cyclists are free to bring their bicycle inside and leave it in the hallway. Still others get the tube, bus or walk. Please see the Contact and How to Find Us page for details. Note, there is a gravel pathway to the entrance of the practice that might make buggy or wheel chair pushing effortful.
So, once here what happens?
When you arrive, you will be asked to remove your shoes and wash your hands. This is to protect you, those who are with you, Julieann and other patients from unnecessary infections.
Once in you be asked to sign a consent form. If you booked on line you will already have done this. If not you will have received a along with your introductory email. If you’ve not managed to sign it or have forgotten it, don’t worry Julieann has copies.
First appointments are longer than follow ups because they include a case history. This involves asking questions about your current issue as well as your general and systemic health. Answers to these questions help Julieann to understand what might be going on and why. All information is stored in compliance with GDPR, the practice policy of which can be viewed on this website.
With regards to examination, for the initial neonatal examination, infants are usually undressed to their nappies. This is done to allow Julieann to make a thorough assessment of the infant’s health, clues of which are often found in the skin. This can be declined and is not necessary for follow up treatments. Examination of adults normally requires that the person undress to their underwear. This is usual osteopathic practice. It is often necessary to see the spine, pelvis and limb postures. Many choose to brings shorts and women often wear sports bras. It is important to say that if for any reason you feel shy about this, examination can be done dressed.
The risks and possible side effects of osteopath treatment.
Osteopathy is very safe but it does carry risk and may result in side effects. It is important that you understand both the risks and side effects before booking your appointment.
Low grade side effects of any type of osteopathic treatment might be mild muscle soreness, similar to that experienced after exercise, temporary headaches or light-headedness. Such symptoms should pass within hours or days.
Less common side effects, 1:100, include bruising, worsening of pain and perhaps pins and needles in the hands or feet. These symptoms may last longer.
Severe reactions are very rare, 1:3600, and may be a result of other underlying health conditions. For example patients with acute bone weakness such as severe osteoporosis may suffer fractures after a technique called a High Velocity Thrust or HVT, in which a quick and highly concentrated force is put through a joint. Other serious side effects may include: stroke, prolapsed disc involving bladder and bowel impairment, nerve damage, muscle weakness, or even, in the extreme, death.
While this sounds utterly awful it must be emphasised that the risk of such events is very low, that osteopaths undergo rigorous, supervised, three to five year training programs and are called upon, by law, to be a member of their regulatory body the GOsC and undertake continued professional development. SO, while there are risks and side effects, as there are with anything, by and large you are in safe hands.
Timings
Initial appointments for adults, babies and children include the case history, examination and treatment. They take an hour. Follow up treatments for adults can be 45 minutes or an hour. Follow up treatments for babies and children are 30 minutes.
It is important to take into account that, with regards to follow up treatments, the time allotted includes that needed to tell Julieann how your getting on, undress, be examined, receive and practice exercises, if necessary, and, at the end of the treatment, dress again. So please try not to worry if the timings set don’t appear to match that on the couch. Osteopathy is a holistic treatment with many components.
Clinical notes
Clinical notes are stored on a computer that, in line with GDPR regulations, is password protected.
Health and safety
Please note the gravel path to the treatment room that can make pushing buggies and wheel chairs a little harder than normal.
There is a bicycle hanging in the hallway to the treatment room, the hazardous parts of which are covered for patient safety. Please be aware if you need to wait in the hallway. If this is a worry, you may think it best to wait outside or in your car.
The exit from the practice involves a small step down. Please be aware of this when leaving the practice, particularly in wet weather.
Infection control procedures
To reduce the likelihood of patient contact patients entering the treatment space will do so via a different door to those leaving.
Patients are asked to wash their hands on entering the building and to use antibacterial/viral gel on leaving. Single-use hand towels can be found in the toilet for patients to dry their hands. These will be washed at the recommended 50-60⁰ to kill bacteria and viruses.
The osteopath will wash their hands and use antibacterial/viral gel before the treatment process.
All towels and couch covers are single-use, that is one per patient, and will be washed at the temperature recommended to kill bacteria and viruses.
Here at the Osteopath Clapham I work in smart but simple T-shirts that can be changed between patients if necessary. They are washed at the temperature recommended to kill bacteria and viruses.
All areas accessible to patients are decontaminated using antibacterial/viral fluid.
Face masks have long since not been mandatory but can be worn on request or if Julieann or the patient or parent/legal guardian has an infection.
Julieann uses an iQAir purifier and ventilates the practice to reduce the likelihood of infection transmission.
Gloves are used for procedures such as intra-oral, intra-vaginal or per rectal work but not as a matter of course. There were three main reasons for this decision. Firstly, there is conflicting evidence with regards to safe usage, hand decontamination being thought to be more effective. Secondly, gloves desensitise the hands and therefore cloud the osteopath’s ability to examine. Finally, gloves would undoubtedly render massage-type techniques uncomfortable for patients.