Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the relationship between the structure of the body and how it functions. Osteopaths use hands-on techniques to identify and treat restrictions in movement, tension, and alignment — helping the body function better and recover from pain and injury. In the UK, osteopaths are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and must be registered to practise.

At your first appointment, your osteopath will take a full medical history and ask about your symptoms, lifestyle, and general health. They'll then carry out a physical assessment — observing your posture and movement and using their hands to identify areas of tension or restriction. Treatment typically involves a combination of soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and manipulative techniques, tailored to your needs.

All three are manual therapies that treat musculoskeletal conditions, but their approaches differ. Physiotherapy tends to focus on rehabilitation and exercise-based recovery. Chiropractic focuses primarily on the spine and nervous system. Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach — treating the area of complaint in the context of the whole body rather than in isolation. Osteopaths also often work with a broader range of conditions, including digestive and gynaecological issues through visceral osteopathy.

No — you can book directly without a referral. If our team feels that your condition requires further medical investigation, we will advise you to see your GP.

Osteopathy is not routinely available on the NHS, though some GP practices do refer patients to osteopaths in specific circumstances. Most osteopathic treatment is accessed privately.

Your first appointment is booked into a one-hour slot. Your osteopath will begin by taking a full medical history and asking about your symptoms and lifestyle. They'll then carry out a physical assessment before beginning treatment. It's helpful to wear or bring comfortable, loose-fitting clothing — sports shorts or leggings are ideal. The appointment itself lasts around 50 minutes, with the remaining time used for notes and administration.

This varies depending on your condition, how long you've had it, and how your body responds to treatment. Most patients need around three sessions, though more complex or long-standing conditions may require longer. Your osteopath will usually have a clearer picture of how many sessions you're likely to need after your first appointment — and most patients notice some improvement from that first session onwards.

Osteopathy is a safe and well-established form of treatment with over 100 years of practice behind it. Some patients experience mild soreness or fatigue in the day or two following treatment — this is a normal response and usually passes quickly. All registered osteopaths have completed a minimum of four years of specialist training and hold a master's degree before being admitted to the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) register — Yan-Kei is GOsC registered and a member of the Institute of Osteopathy (iO).

Yes — osteopathy is safe and effective for patients of all ages, including newborns. Paediatric osteopathy uses very gentle, age-appropriate techniques and is quite different from adult treatment. Yan-Kei has specialist training and over 13 years of experience working with babies and children.

If you're not sure, get in touch before booking and our team will help you find the right option. As a general guide: if you're pregnant or recently given birth, pre/postnatal osteopathy is the right starting point; if you're bringing a baby or child, paediatric osteopathy; if you have digestive, gynaecological, or pelvic symptoms, visceral osteopathy may be worth exploring; and for everything else, general osteopathy covers the full range of musculoskeletal conditions.