What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathic care focuses on the detection, treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders for a broad range of individuals (including children/babies and during pregnancy). We strongly believe that if you provide your body with the correct tools and environment to help it function correctly, it can heal.

Osteopathic treatment includes a combination of therapeutic approaches such as soft tissue massage, joint articulation, joint manipulation, visceral treatment, and cranial techniques as well as posture/exercise advice and onward referral if required.

What can Osteopathy help me with?

We treat an array of conditions including, but not limited to, arthritic pain, headaches, altered circulation, joint pain, neuralgia, general/acute/chronic lower back pain, muscle spasms/tension, sport injuries and sciatica.

Should onward referral be required, Osteopaths can refer patients back to their GP (who can facilitate the necessary pathways to schedule ultrasounds, X-rays, and MRIs) or for private imaging (at the patients cost or via their medical insurance should they have it).

What training is required to be an Osteopath?

To become an Osteopath in the UK, students must complete a four-year Master’s Degree (Most) or Bachelor of Science honours degree (BSc (Hons)). They must then register with the General Osteopathic Council every year to legally maintain the title ‘Osteopath’, whilst completing at least 30 hours of CPD (continuing professional development) per year.

Can I bring someone to my appointment with me?

Everyone is entitled to have someone (a chaperone), such as a relative/guardian/friend, present during their consultation.

If you feel you would like a chaperone present, please bring someone with you to your appointment. They can be present throughout the entire consultation, or just at certain times, this is completely at your discretion.

Currently, as a practice, we are unable to provide a chaperone for you on request, so please organise one in advance.

Should you decide, at any time during your consultation, that you would like a chaperone present, we can rearrange your appointment so that you have the time and space to organise one.

Please be aware that anyone under the age of 16 must always be accompanied by a relative/guardian throughout their consultation.

What should I wear?

During examination you may be asked to undress down to your underwear, depending on your presenting complaint, so that we can observe your posture and see how your body moves (this may include a more global approach to see if there are any compensation patterns or areas that are impacting the pain/restriction). Please wear shorts/loose clothing if you would prefer not to dress down. Towels will always be available for modesty.

Do I need to see my GP or a doctor first?

It is not a requirement for you to see you doctor/GP before an Osteopathic appointment. Patients with private health insurance may need a referral letter from their GP/insurer prior to treatment in order to claim for their appointments. Please check with your insurers as they all have different polices. If you are unsure, please feel free to speak to our practitioners before booking a consultation.

Does my dog or horse have to have seen a vet prior to seeing you?

Musculoskeletal therapists (e.g., physiotherapists/osteopaths/chiropractors) are part of the vet-lead team. Animals cared for or treated by musculoskeletal therapists must be registered with a veterinary surgeon.

As per the Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015, remedial treatment by a musculoskeletal therapist requires assignment by/consent from a veterinary surgeon. It is up to the professional judgement of the veterinary surgeon to determine whether and when a clinical examination should be repeated before musculoskeletal treatment is continued.

Maintenance should cease and the owner of the animal should be asked to take their animal to a veterinary surgeon for clinical examination at the first sign that there may be any underlying injury, disease, or pathology. Alternatively, the musculoskeletal therapist may ask the client for formal consent to disclose any concerns to the veterinary surgeon that has their animal under their care.

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), (2020). Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Surgeons. [Online] p.118–119. Available by clicking here. [Accessed September 24 2023].

What appointment types are offered by Georgia Stark Osteopathy at the Suffolk Food Hall? What are the associated costs?

Osteopathy - £55

Paediatric Osteopathy (from newborn up to 16-year-olds) - £60

Sports Massage (1 hour) - £65

What appointment types are offered by Georgia Stark Osteopathy on a mobile/home visit basis? What are the associated costs?

Canine Osteopathy - £50

Canine Osteopathy for a group of >6 present at the same consultation session - £45 each

Equine Osteopathy - £60

Contact details and clinical location

Location: Unit 3, The Cookhouse, Suffolk Food Hall, Wherstead, Ipswich, Suffolk, Ip9 2AB

Email: clinic@georgiastarkosteopathy.co.uk

Phone: 01473 561160

Website: https://www.georgiastarkosteopathy.co.uk

To book please contact me via email or the phone number above, also via the online booking portal. I also have a ‘contact me’ form available to be filled in in person and posted in the collection box in the clinics reception at Suffolk Food Hall should you be passing by and wanted to drop in!