Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing health problems by moving, stretching, and massaging a person’s muscles and joints. It’s based on the holistic principle that the body’s structure and function are closely connected, and that the support provided by an osteopath can help the musculoskeletal system heal itself and restore balance to the body.

Osteopathy lays its main emphasis on restoring the structural integrity of the body and recognises much of the pain and disability that we suffer stems from abnormalities in the functioning of the body’s framework as well as, but not exclusively, damage caused by disease and injury.

Osteopaths will assess the patient holistically from a mechanical, functional and postural standpoint, with due consideration to lifestyle factors. They will use many of the diagnostic procedures used in conventional medical assessment and diagnosis - such undertaking a thorough neurological, cardiovascular or respiratory examination when appropriate.

Osteopathy is an established, recognised and regulated therapy, in the UK.

Osteopathy is a regulated healthcare profession; all osteopaths are required by law to be registered with the General Osteopathic Council, who oversee safety and clinical standards of osteopathic practice. This requires all osteopaths to undertake regular continuous professional development training (CPD) and revalidation in order to practise.

Osteopathy is a long established profession; the first training college for osteopaths in the UK, the British School of Osteopathy (now the University College of Osteopaths) first opened in London in 1915. Osteopaths have been regulated since 1938. In 1997 osteopathy received statutory recognition, requiring in law for all UK practising osteopaths to be state registered and regulated by the General Osteopathic Council.

Nick opened the practice in 2012, shortly after moving to the village with his family. Additionally, he practises in St Albans, Hertfordshire where he has run an established practice for 30 years.

The practice is situated in the middle of the village of Bledlow Ridge, midway between Princes Risborough and High Wycombe.

Set back off Chinnor Road, at the T-junction with Haw Lane. The clinic is in the office adjacent to Nick’s family home. 

There is parking on site.

All osteopaths are highly qualified, completing a 4-year full-time degree course in Osteopathic Medicine, which includes training in all the medical sciences, together with extensive clinical training.

Ongoing continual professional development training (CPD) is a requirement for all osteopaths through their careers, in order to retain their licence to practise. 

We are well qualified to recognise when it might be appropriate to make an onward referral for further investigations. This might be referring back into the NHS via your GP or a private referral for MRI scans or an orthopaedic consultant referral.

Although we receive many referrals from GP’s, this isn’t a requirement.

Most patients will self refer without a referral.

Yes. We are registered with all the main healthcare insurers, but it is advisable to check with them first to understand your level of cover before commencing treatment.

Once we receive authorisation from your healthcare provider we will normally invoice the insurance company directly.

This really depends on your problem.

If you have a long established condition then you can expect your treatment plan to run for longer.

It may also require that you undertake a rehab exercise program and lifestyle review, under our guidance.

If the problem has just developed you might find your symptoms recover more quickly.

Some patients will want help in maintaining a chronic problem, that might require reviews from time to time - such as a regular monthly visit.

We will always advise you as to the number and frequency of sessions you are likely to require during the course of your first consultation.

We will need around an hour with you. 

During this time we will listen to your story to understand your complaint. 

We will need to ask you questions about your medical history, past and present, that might be relevant to your presentation. 

We will then examine you to assess your posture and how well you move, together with any relevant  clinical tests and hands on assessment of the area. With your consent, this might require you to undress to underwear, depending where your pain is situated.

We will then discuss your diagnosis, treatment plan and begin treatment if appropriate. 

Osteopathic treatment normally consists of soft tissue massage of the muscles, joint articulation and stretching. Sometimes osteopaths will mobilise the joints themselves using a localised manipulation where you might feel a click as the joint releases.

All these techniques are gentle and we will always seek your consent before undertaking treatment. You will often feel immediate benefit, but sometimes you might feel some soreness after treatment that might last up to a day. 

If we feel you need further investigations or an onward referral to another healthcare provider or consultant we will advise you and make arrangements for this.