What to expect
What to expect from an appointment at Total Balance Osteopathy
We understand that the first time you undertake something new it can be daunting.
This page aims to give you more information on what you will experience when you book an initial or an ongoing consultation at Total Balance Osteopathy, the process that we go through to ensure we treat you in the correct way and answer some of the questions we hear regularly so you know what to expect when you arrive.
We have broken this page down into the following topics:
Intital Appointments
Your first appointment at Total Balance Osteopathy in Worthing begins with a detailed case history, where we take the time to discuss your symptoms, medical history, lifestyle and general health. This helps us build a clear picture of what you are experiencing, what your goals are and how your symptoms may be affecting your day-to-day life.
We will then carry out an examination, which may include looking at your posture, joint movement, muscle tension and the way your body moves as a whole. In some cases, additional clinical or orthopaedic testing may be needed to help us better understand what is going on.
Following your assessment, we will talk you through our findings and discuss whether osteopathic treatment may be appropriate for you.
We will then talk through a personalised treatment plan, including self-management advice and exercises where appropriate, and an estimate of how many treatment sessions may be recommended to support your recovery and progress.
If at any point we feel your symptoms require further investigation or would be better supported elsewhere, we will discuss this with you and, where appropriate, suggest speaking to your GP or another healthcare professional.
We want every new patient to feel informed, comfortable and confident in their care — so please do ask questions at any stage. There is no such thing as a wrong question.
Follow Up Appointments
Follow-up appointments are typically 30 minutes.
Extended one-hour appointments are available if needed — for example, if you would like more time for treatment or have multiple areas you would like to address.
At each follow-up we will check in on how you have been since your last session, reassess your movement and symptoms, and continue treatment in line with your personalised plan.
Any exercises or self-management advice will also be reviewed and updated as you progress.
Will I need to undress?
It is often helpful for the osteopath to be able to see the area being treated, though your comfort and privacy are always respected. You will never be asked to remove more clothing than is necessary.
We recommend wearing or bringing comfortable, flexible clothing to your appointment — such as shorts, leggings, loose-fitting trousers, a vest or crop top. If you are coming with a knee or hip problem in particular, a pair of shorts can be especially useful.
Restrictive clothing such as denim or thick knitwear can make examination and treatment more difficult, so it is worth keeping this in mind when getting ready for your appointment.
Can I bring someone with me to my appointment?
You are very welcome to bring a friend, partner or family member along to your appointment.
We want you to feel comfortable and at ease, and if having someone with you helps with that, they are more than welcome.
Chaperones
All patients under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult with parental responsibility throughout their appointment.
Adult patients are equally welcome to have someone present during their consultation or treatment — please see the section above for more details.
If you are unsure if osteopathy is right for you do not hesitate to give us a call on 07471 425304. We are more than happy to discuss any concerns or questions over the phone before booking in for an appointment.
Alternatively get in touch with us using the options on our contact us page.
