Frequently Asked Questions About Pain Relief Therapies
What our patients sometimes ask us...
How much does it cost?
Osteopathy
Consultation and Treatment (1hr) £40
Follow Up Appointments (1/2 hr) £30
(Chester - Consultation and Treatment (1hr) £45
Follow Up Appointments (1/2 hr) £35)
Acupuncture (1hr) £37
Medical Herbalism Consultation (1 1/4 hr) £35 plus herbs (around £6 a week)
Follow Up Appointments (3/4 hr) £28
Remedial Massage (1hr) £35
Aromatherapy Full Body Massage (1 1/2 hrs) £40
Back neck and shoulders (1hr) £35
Follow Up Appointments (1/2 hr) £25
Does Manipulation Hurt?
No! Manipulation of the joints may be uncomfortable if you are in a lot of pain but in that case any movement tends to be sore. The process itself if used by fully trained professionals is a non traumatic "click" of the joint to open the facet (joint) and allow it to move more freely. If you or anyone you know clicks their knuckles it's a similar process and it's clear to see that's not painful either!
Can I bring someone with me?
Yes, of course. We understand how daunting it can be to go somewhere new. We will do everything we can to help you relax and that includes talking through what the problem is before we treat you. Some times bringing an extra pair of ears will help when you are talking about it later at home.
Do I need a doctors referral?
No. The only time that is required is if you are claiming the treatment through insurance. Some companies like BUPA do require a letter of referral.
Will I be better in one treatment or will I need more?
That depends on your condition. Was it the cause and how did it start? How long have you had it? Have you had surgery? What makes it better and worse? Are there any underlying medical conditions?
What we can say is, we will do our best to help you reduce your pain and discomfort as soon as possible. It is better not to leave pain until it becomes a chronic (long term) problem. These types of conditions can take longer to sort out. Generally the fitter you are the better the body can heal and adapt.
Can I take prescription medicines at the same time as herbal medicine?
In reality, there are very few drug-herb interactions, but the potential is always there.
It depends on the medication that you are taking. All drugs are broken down by the liver. If the speed at which some drugs are broken down is sped up or slowed down, this can have serious consequences, either that they become less effective (e.g. drugs used in cancer therapy), or that they accumulate in the body and cause toxicity (e.g. some heart medications. We know that certain foods (e.g. grapefruit, broccoli) and certain herbs (e.g. St John’s Wort) can affect the way these drugs are processed by the liver.
Also, most people taking prescription drugs have chronic health problems and are of the older generation, both of which makes the body less able to process drugs well.
Many people take prescription medicines and will buy herbal preparations over the counter to take at the same time. At the same time, many of my patients are taking prescription medicines at the same time as they receive a herbal prescription.
The difference?
The herbs have been prescribed after taking a full medical case history, drug history and examination and dispensed by a qualified medical herbalist who has an understanding and is trained to know of any potential drug-herb interactions.
I would advise anyone on prescription medicines to talk to a qualified medical herbalist or pharmacist before self-medicating with herbs.
If you are considering taking a treatment course in herbal medicine, please make sure that you consult with a qualified medical herbalist who has undergone rigorous training (look for the letters MNIMH or MCPP after their name.
Does Acupuncture Hurt?
This is a common concern for people when they first consider seeing an acupuncturist. Acupuncture needles are much finer than the needles that the majority of people are familiar with; for example when having an injection or giving blood.
Most people will not even feel the needles being inserted and are only aware of them because of a slight dull ache or tingling at the point of insertion. These feelings are an indication of the flow of Qi through this area and are perfectly normal. In the clinic I am often working with patients with painful conditions, the acupuncture is therefore used to relieve pain, not induce it!
During treatment I will always ask patients how they feel. The procedure should not be painful or uncomfortable, this is not a “no pain, no gain” type of treatment. My patients often tell me how relaxed they feel after their treatment and very often will go to sleep whilst lying on the couch with their needles still in. I sometimes have to wake them up after the therapy session!