Occasionally after visits patients may experience a treatment reaction with a slight exaggeration of their symptoms for a brief period, normally no longer than 24-48 hours. This is most often not the case.

● Do I need to consult my GP before visiting an osteopath?
Generally not. Most patients self refer without first consulting their GP. If you have severe health problems and a complex medical history then you may wish to consult your GP to ensure that osteopathic treatment is appropriate.
Some private medical insurers require that you be referred for osteopathic treatment by you GP. If you are in any doubt then first check with your insurance provider.

● What happens if I cannot attend an appointment?
There is a policy that the full fee is charged if the patient fails to attend or give less than 24 hours notice of cancellation. When allocated time is wasted it prevents other patients from receiving attention, some of whom may be in considerable pain.
Clearly there are always genuine reasons why attendance may not be possible and it is not my policy to request the fee when this is the case.
 
●How much does treatment cost?
When visiting Elvina:
The initial consultation, examination and treatment costs £45.
Follow up treatments are  £30.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Craniosacral treatment is £45 per hours treatment.                                       
Payment is by cash or cheque with cheque card at the time of consultation and treatment.

●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.

●Can I have osteopathic treatment on the NHS?
Most osteopaths work solely in private practice. 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.

●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. 

●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.

●What is the status of osteopathy in the UK?
The 1993 report from the British Medical Association "Complementary Medicine - New Approaches to Good Practice" recognized 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.