What to expect.

What happens at your appointment, how to prepare, and what to expect in the day or two after treatment.

Before you arrive

  • You will receive an intake form when you book. Please complete it before your appointment — it helps me make the most of our time together.
  • The form requires your name and date of birth to match your booking exactly. If you get locked out, email ben@thelondonosteopath.com or call 07816 848 044.

Your appointment

Arriving at the clinic

Ring the buzzer marked Room 2 and I'll let you in as soon as I can. If I'm with another patient, there's a waiting area where you can sit. The bathroom is at the end of the corridor on the left.

Talking things through

Your first appointment begins with a conversation. I'll ask you about what's brought you in — your current symptoms, how long they've been there, any triggers or patterns you've noticed, and anything that makes things better or worse. I'll also ask about your health history, including past accidents, injuries, or illnesses that might be relevant, even if they seem unconnected to what you're coming about now.

Assessment

I'll observe how you stand and move, and carry out a physical examination to understand what's happening in your body. Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are best — there's rarely any need to undress, but being able to move freely helps.

Treatment

Treatment follows directly from the assessment. It's usually gentle and hands-on — I use light touch and supportive holds to help your body relax and rebalance. Responses vary: some people feel a change during the treatment itself; others feel more relaxed than they were expecting. Please tell me at any point if anything feels like too much.

Making sense of things

At the end of the session I'll explain what I've found and what I think is going on. We'll talk about what to expect next and whether further sessions are likely to help. I'll give you specific exercises or self-care advice tailored to your situation, and we can book a follow-up if that feels right.

After your appointment

It's not unusual to feel some temporary soreness or fatigue in the day or two after treatment, particularly after a first appointment. This is a normal part of the process and usually settles quickly. Please get in touch if anything feels unexpected or you have any concerns.

Common questions

Do I need to prepare for my appointment?
There's nothing specific you need to do beforehand. If you're coming about a particular problem, it can be useful to think about when it started and what affects it — but you don't need to prepare anything formally.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes are best. There's rarely any need to undress — being able to move freely is the main thing.
Will I need to undress?
For most adult appointments, no. Comfortable clothes that you can move in are usually enough. I'll always explain what I need to do before I do it.
How long will my first appointment take?
Your first appointment is 60 minutes. Follow-up appointments are 40 minutes, and review appointments — for returning patients with a new issue or after a long gap — are 60 minutes. See the fees page for full details.
Will it hurt?
Osteopathic treatment is generally gentle. Some techniques involve a degree of pressure that you'll feel, and occasionally areas that are already tender can be uncomfortable to work with. Please say something if anything feels like too much — I can always adjust.
What if I'm not sure what's wrong?
That's fine — figuring out what's going on is part of what the first appointment is for. You don't need to arrive with a diagnosis.
What happens if my symptoms feel worse after treatment?
Some temporary soreness or fatigue is normal, particularly after a first session. It's a sign that your body is responding and usually settles within a day or two. If something feels significantly worse, or you have any concerns at all, please get in touch.
What if I'm unwell on the day?
Please don't come in if you have an infectious illness — fever, respiratory infection, sickness or diarrhoea. I see babies, pregnant women, and other vulnerable patients, and keeping the clinic safe for everyone matters. If you're unsure, please get in touch and we can rebook without any problem.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
At least 48 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule. See the fees page for the full cancellation policy.
I'm locked out of my intake form — what do I do?
The form requires your name and date of birth to match your booking exactly. If you're locked out, email ben@thelondonosteopath.com or call 07816 848 044.

Bringing a baby or child?

  • Cranial osteopathy for babies

    What to expect at a baby appointment is a little different. Find out more about how I work with newborns and infants.

    Cranial osteopathy for babies

  • Children's osteopathy

    Find out what to expect when you bring your child for an appointment, and how osteopathy for children differs from adult treatment.

    Children's osteopathy
Not sure yet? Book a free telephone consultation Book an appointment