Osteopathy, tailored to you

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy uses gentle, specific palpation (touch), mobilisation and soft tissue techniques on the joints and muscles to find and ease areas of weakness, imbalance and strain throughout the body. It focuses on recovery and on preventing injuries in future, and your osteopath will always give you exercise and posture advice to help you progress and reduce the risk of the problem coming back.

Osteopaths complete a degree of at least four years and must, by law, be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (osteopathy.org.uk) and hold full indemnity insurance.

What it can help with

• Aches and pains
• General, acute and chronic back pain
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Joint and arthritic pain
• Shoulder and elbow pain
• Sciatica and lumbago
• Muscle spasms
• Sports injuries and tension
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Pain in pregnancy
• Common childhood complaints

If you're not sure whether we can help, give us a call on 0117 377 0518.

What to expect

Your osteopath will take a full case history: the problem you've come in with, your relevant medical history and your general health. Please give us full and accurate information so we can plan the right treatment for you.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing so your osteopath can examine you properly. You may be asked to remove some clothing, but that's always your choice and we'll respect your wishes. The examination uses active and passive movements, observation, careful palpation and, where needed, neurological tests.

Your osteopath will then explain their diagnosis and a treatment and management plan before starting, taking into account things like your work and hobbies.

Your sessions

Treatment can include joint mobilisation, manipulation to improve movement in specific joints, soft tissue massage, stretching, traction and gentle release techniques, depending on what you need. Sessions are about 30 minutes; the first one is longer so there's time for your history and examination, and we always aim to treat you in that first session too.

Your osteopath will give you an idea of how many sessions you might need. Some people need only one or two; longer-standing conditions may need ongoing maintenance treatment, which we review with you regularly so you understand the purpose and benefit.

After treatment

Some people feel stiff or sore for a few hours to a couple of days after treatment. This is normal, and your osteopath will tell you how to keep it to a minimum. If you're worried about any discomfort afterwards, please contact your osteopath so we can help promptly.

Cranial osteopathy

Cranial osteopathy is a specialist, very gentle branch of osteopathy used to find and ease areas of dysfunction in the body. It suits babies, children and adults. See babies and children for how we use it with our youngest patients.

Chaperones

You're welcome to bring a friend or relative into your treatment. If you'd like the clinic to provide a chaperone, please say when you book so a convenient appointment can be arranged. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times.

Who you'll see

Nina Leadbeater

B.Ost, Registered Osteopath

After graduating from the British School of Osteopathy in London in 2004, Nina returned to her hometown of Bristol, working as an associate at two large multidisciplinary clinics and alongside GPs at Southville Surgery, providing both private and NHS-funded osteopathy. She founded Belmont House in 2008 with a vision of top quality, accessible osteopathic and complementary care for the whole family in North Bristol.

More about Nina

Harry Greaney

M.Ost, Registered Osteopath

Harry's interest in the body began with strength and conditioning training and competitive powerlifting. He graduated with a first class M.Ost from Swansea University and keeps up to date with the latest evidence in osteopathy.

More about Harry

Marion Vey

B.Ost, Registered Osteopath

Marion found osteopathy as a young artistic gymnast. Since graduating from Oxford Brookes University in 2016 she worked in an Oxford clinic for over seven years, helping thousands of patients on their road to recovery. She treats patients from 10 years old upwards, with a particular interest in injury rehabilitation and sporting performance.

More about Marion

Rebecca Austen

M.A, M.Ost, CPO, Registered Osteopath

Rebecca qualified with a first class Masters in Osteopathy from Swansea University and has treated patients from seven days old to over 80. She has trained further in cranial osteopathy and is studying for a Diploma in paediatric, pregnancy and post-partum osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, where she works one day a week.

More about Rebecca

Laura Humphries

B.Ost, MSc (Paediatric Osteopathy)

Laura graduated from the British School of Osteopathy in 2004, where she studied with Nina, and went on to become one of the first in the country to complete a Masters in Paediatric Osteopathy. As part of her MSc she worked for three years at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London, including its outreach clinic in the premature baby unit at Barnet Hospital.

More about Laura

Prices

Our osteopaths are registered with BUPA, AXA PPP, Cigna, Aviva and WPA. See insurance for what to bring.