Please find below common questions asked by patients about osteopathy. If there is any other query or question that you may have please feel free to contact us and our staff will be pleased to help you.
You can make an appointment by telephone on 01256 352241 for the Basingstoke Clinic. You can also contact us via the Contact Form on this website or e-mail Mr Darcy Jones direct on: darcy.jones@spinehealthcentre.co.uk or mobile phone number 07483 149 673
The average number of treatments required to resolve a problem is from 2 – 5 treatments over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. If for example you have not suffered from back pain before, and you suddenly have local pain in the back and you are otherwise fit and well, then 2 or 3 sessions of osteopathy will usually resolve the problem. If you are having pain or numbness down your leg (sciatica) for a few weeks but you are still otherwise healthy then this may well take 4 or 5 sessions over a period of a few weeks. It also depends on how pro-active you are in managing the problem.
Consultation and initial treatment costs £69. Follow up treatment is also £59 per session.
No, you do not need medical insurance. However if you have insurance with Bupa, WPA, Cigna or Simply Health and some others, then you will be able to claim your fees back from Mr Darcy Jones. Please contact the clinic for further advice.
No. However Consultants & GPs do refer patients to see Mr Darcy Jones. As an experienced osteopath he will have a very good idea of the problems that he can treat and be on the look-out for problems and symptoms that should not be treated with osteopathy.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) says that X-ray films for normal back pain problems are not necessary. We would agree with this, as our case history, examination and palpatory skills are often enough to come to a working diagnosis and therefore appropriate treatment. However for example, with disc (“slipped disc”) problems and some other conditions where there may be instability in the bony part of the spine - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scans are important. These can be arranged at The Hampshire Clinic or the Vista Diagnostic Centres, if required.
Usually you will not need to undress down to your underwear, however sometimes this is necessary, if a more sensitive part of your body is in pain. You may wish to wear shorts and a lose fitting t-shirt. Your modesty will always be respected and of course you can always bring a chaperone.
Osteopathic treatment should not hurt. It may be a little uncomfortable if tight muscles are being stretched or massaged. There may well be some soreness a few hours after treatment. This is quite common. If this is the case, paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medication would be recommended providing you are not sensitive or allergic to them. This should be discussed with you osteopath.
The consultation and first treatment usually takes about 30 minutes. Follow up treatments take a about 20 minutes.
There is usually car parking at the Spine Health Centre in Basingstoke. Sometimes it can get busy though.
Unfortunately, 50% of the fee is due for missed appointments or cancellations with less than 24 hours notice.
Sometimes after a consultation and examination it is found that osteopathy is not an appropriate treatment. Mr Darcy Jones has a large network of medical and surgical consultants as well as complementary healthcare practitioners to refer you to if that is deemed appropriate, otherwise he will refer you back to your GP with an accompanying letter.
Very occasionally things do go wrong, for example there is a bad reaction to treatment and you are not happy about this as you are in more pain. In all circumstances where you are not happy with the level of service or have concerns about the treatment you received or any other issue then The Spine & Joint Health Centre makes the commitment that:
i; You are free to talk to the staff or Mr Darcy Jones in particular to discuss what concerns you may have. As much time as you need will be spent on these concerns.
ii. Mr Darcy Jones is a member of the Institute of Osteopathy, whom you can contact if you have any enquiries about osteopathy generally or Mr Darcy Jones treatment in particular. Their telephone number is 01582 481533.
iii. The ultimate Regulatory Body for all Registered Osteopaths is the General Osteopathic Council to whom in any event you can refer your concerns or complaint about Mr Darcy Jones to. The Spine Health Centre staff and Mr Jones in particular will fully cooperate with any external investigation. Their telephone number is 020 7357 0011 and they are located at 176 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 3LU.
