Frequently Asked Questions
Is osteopathic treatment painful?
In general, no. There may be some mild aching or a slightly "bruised" feeling after treatment. Many patients feel freer and more comfortable almost immediately. Others feel quite tired for a few hours and maybe a little achy for a day or so. If your tissues are tense and sore, it may be uncomfortable at first to have them stretched and relaxed, especially if they have been tense for a long time. If your joints are elderly, they will inevitably be showing some signs of wear and tear and this may influence the rate and extent of response to osteopathic treatment.
Should any reaction to our treatment cause any concern at all, do please contact your osteopath for advice. If necessary, leave a message on our answering machine for a response at the earliest opportunity.
Should any reaction to our treatment cause any concern at all, do please contact your osteopath for advice. If necessary, leave a message on our answering machine for a response at the earliest opportunity.
Do you offer free initial assessments?
No, we don't. The reason is that an initial consultation at The Osteopathic Centre, which includes a full history and a detailed examination, will require at least 40 minutes. This assessment process demands skill and experience and cannot be shortened without potential risk to the patient. If, at the end of this first consultation, there is any doubt at all as to your suitability for osteopathic treatment, we will refer you to your doctor.
If you are still unsure, or have any questions about whether you should attend, please telephone the practice and ask to speak to one of the osteopaths. (If busy, the osteopath may have to call you back.)
As mentioned on our home page, the vast majority of our new patients come to us on the recommendation of a satisfied patient or on referral by their doctor, so that in most cases, very few patients turn out to be unsuitable for osteopathy.
If you are still unsure, or have any questions about whether you should attend, please telephone the practice and ask to speak to one of the osteopaths. (If busy, the osteopath may have to call you back.)
As mentioned on our home page, the vast majority of our new patients come to us on the recommendation of a satisfied patient or on referral by their doctor, so that in most cases, very few patients turn out to be unsuitable for osteopathy.
How many treatment sessions will I need?
This will depend on many factors. The interval between visits will be determined at the end of each treatment. We will always try to avoid over-treatment.
As a general rule, the better you are, the longer will be the interval between treatments. As soon as sufficient improvement has been made, and progress appears to be self-sustaining, you will be advised to contact us, or return, only if your symptoms come back.
As a general rule, the better you are, the longer will be the interval between treatments. As soon as sufficient improvement has been made, and progress appears to be self-sustaining, you will be advised to contact us, or return, only if your symptoms come back.
Do you recommend regular check-ups or "maintenance" treatments?
Not as a rule. We consider that, given the opportunity, your body is quite capable of maintaining normal function. Our function as osteopaths is to identify and deal with any obstacles to normal function. In addition to advice on appropriate exercise and exercises, we will advise you on how to maintain improvement after you have been discharged. This may, for example, include advice on how to improve your posture at work, in your car, or whilst exercising.
Do you make contact with my doctor?
Yes we do, but not automatically. If your GP has referred you to us, the osteopath you see will, with your permission, write back to him/her with details of the osteopathic findings, diagnosis, treatment and any progress.
We will write to your GP, again only with your consent, if we need any more clinical information on your case, or if we need to send you back for further medical tests, treatment, or for referral to a specialist.
We will write to your GP, again only with your consent, if we need any more clinical information on your case, or if we need to send you back for further medical tests, treatment, or for referral to a specialist.
Do you issue off-work certificates (sick notes)?
Yes we do. Where appropriate, we issue Off Work Certificates as provided by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). These are accepted by employers and the DSS for benefit purposes.
Do you write reports for insurance companies and solicitors?
Yes, but we do this ONLY in response to a written request from the solicitor or insurance company. An appropriate report fee will be charged for this work.
What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?
There have been heated discussions about this question since the late 19th century when both professions were founded in the USA. Ultimately, there are probably more similarities than differences.
The similarities?
A hands-on approach to the treatment of the musculo-skeletal system.
A formal training leading to a BSc(Hons) or Batchelor degree.
Both professions are now regulated in the UK in the same way as medicine and dentistry.
The differences?
The manipulative techniques do differ in application and emphasis. Patients will often describe their experience of treatment from an Osteopath and from a Chiropractor in quite different ways. Chiropractic treatment tends to involve a more "direct" approach with an emphasis on manipulation of the spinal joints.
The Osteopathic approach tends to involve slower, rhythmic stretching or "indirect" techniques on the muscles and joints.
Chiropractors more often emphasise the need for regular check-up and maintenance sessions, once the main complaint has been dealt with.
The similarities?
A hands-on approach to the treatment of the musculo-skeletal system.
A formal training leading to a BSc(Hons) or Batchelor degree.
Both professions are now regulated in the UK in the same way as medicine and dentistry.
The differences?
The manipulative techniques do differ in application and emphasis. Patients will often describe their experience of treatment from an Osteopath and from a Chiropractor in quite different ways. Chiropractic treatment tends to involve a more "direct" approach with an emphasis on manipulation of the spinal joints.
The Osteopathic approach tends to involve slower, rhythmic stretching or "indirect" techniques on the muscles and joints.
Chiropractors more often emphasise the need for regular check-up and maintenance sessions, once the main complaint has been dealt with.
What if I have a complaint?
In the first instance, PLEASE do talk to the osteopath concerned, or inform the receptionist on duty that you wish to be contacted, preferably directly, e.g. by mobile phone.
If you are still dissatisfied, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) may be contacted by Email
or by writing to:
The General Osteopathic Council,
Osteopathy House,
176 Tower Bridge Road,
London SE1 3LU
Tel: 020 7357 6655
Fax: 020 7357 0011
If you are still dissatisfied, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) may be contacted by Email
or by writing to:
The General Osteopathic Council,
Osteopathy House,
176 Tower Bridge Road,
London SE1 3LU
Tel: 020 7357 6655
Fax: 020 7357 0011
Privacy Policy
Privacy Policy
This document refers to personal data, which is defined as information concerning any living person (a natural person who hereafter will be called the Data Subject) that is not already in the public domain.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which is EU wide and far more extensive than its predecessor the Data Protection Act, along with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), seek to protect and enhance the rights of EU data subjects. These rights cover the safeguarding of personal data, protection against the unlawful processing of personal data and the unrestricted movement of personal data within the EU and its storage within the EEA.
1 – The Osteopathic Centre
2 – Who we are
3 – Personal Data
4 – Legal basis for processing any personal data
5 – Legitimate interests pursued by Osteopaths
6 – Consent
7 – Disclosure
8 – Retention Policy
9 – Data storage
10 – Your rights as a data subject
11 – You can request the following information:
12 – To access what personal data is held
13 – Complaints
1 – The Osteopathic Centre
Based at, The Linden Medical Centre, 9a Linden Ave, Maidenhead, Berkshire. SL6 6JJ. to provide the following information:
2 – Who we are
The Osteopathic Centre diagnose and treat health conditions. Osteopathic treatments are carried out in accordance with the Institute of Osteopathy’s patient charter http://www.iosteopathy.org/osteopathy/the-patient-charter/.
3 – Personal Data
a) For the purposes of providing treatment, Osteopaths may require detailed medical information. We will only collect what is relevant and necessary for your treatment. When you visit our practice, we will make notes which may include details concerning your medication, treatment and other issues affecting your health. This data is always held securely, is not shared with anyone not involved in your treatment, although for data storage purposes it may be handled by pre-vetted staff who have all signed an integrity and confidentiality agreement. To be able to process your personal data it is a condition of any treatment that you give your explicit consent to allow The Osteopathic Centre to document and process your personal medical data. Contact details provided by you such as telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses may be used to remind you of future appointments and provide reports or other information concerning your treatment.
b) For marketing purposes, The Osteopathic Centre may also use the contact details provided by you to respond to your enquiries, including making telephone contact and emailing information to you which the practice believes may be of interest to you.
c) In making initial contact with the practice you consent to The Osteopathic Centre maintaining a marketing dialogue with you until you either opt out (which you can do at any time) or we decide to desist in promoting our services. The Osteopathic Centre does not broker your data and you can ask to be removed from our marketing database by emailing or phoning the practice using the contact details provided at the end of this Privacy Notice.
d) Some basic personal data may be collected about you from the marketing forms and surveys you complete, from records of our correspondence and phone calls and details of your visits to our website, including but not limited to, personally identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
e) The Osteopathic Centre website uses cookies, which is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. Our website uses cookies to help The Osteopathic Centre to identify and track visitors and their website access preferences. The Osteopathic Centre’ website visitors who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using The Osteopathic Centre’s website.
f) Osteopaths will only collect the information needed so that we can provide you with the services you require, the business does not sell or broker your data.
4 – Legal basis for processing any personal data
To meet our contractual obligations obtained from explicit Patient Consent and legitimate interest to respond to enquiries concerning the services provided.
5 – Legitimate interests pursued by Osteopaths
To promote treatments for patients with all types of health problems indicated for osteopathic care.
6 – Consent
Through agreeing to this privacy notice you are consenting to The Osteopathic Centre processing your personal data for the purposes outlined. You can withdraw consent at any time by using the postal, email address or telephone number provided at the end of this Privacy Notice.
7 – Disclosure
The Osteopathic Centre will keep your personal information safe and secure, only staff engaged in providing your treatment will have access to your patient records, although our administration team will have access to your contact details so that they can make appointments and manage your account. The Osteopathic Centre will not disclose your Personal Information unless compelled to, in order to meet legal obligations, regulations or valid governmental requests. The practice may also enforce its Terms and Conditions, including investigating potential violations of its Terms and Conditions to detect, prevent or mitigate fraud or security or technical issues; or to protect against imminent harm to the rights, property or safety of its staff.
8 – Retention Policy
The Osteopathic Centre will process personal data during the duration of any treatment and will continue to store only the personal data needed for eight years after the contract has expired to meet any legal obligations. After eight years all personal data will be deleted, unless basic information needs to be retained by us to meet our future obligations to you, such as erasure details. Records concerning minors who have received treatment will be retained until the child has reached the age of 25.
9 – Data storage
All data is held in the United Kingdom. The Osteopathic Centre does not store personal data outside the EEA
10 – Your rights as a data subject
At any point whilst The Osteopathic Centre is in possession of, or processing your personal data, all data subjects have the following rights:
· Right of access – you have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you.
· Right of rectification – you have a right to correct data that we hold about you that is inaccurate or incomplete.
· Right to be forgotten – in certain circumstances you can ask for the data we hold about you to be erased from our records.
· Right to restriction of processing – where certain conditions apply you have a right to restrict the processing.
· Right of portability – you have the right to have the data we hold about you transferred to another organisation.
· Right to object – you have the right to object to certain types of processing such as direct marketing.
· Right to object to automated processing, including profiling – you also have the right not to be subject to the legal effects of automated processing or profiling.
In the event that The Osteopathic Centre refuses your request under rights of access, we will provide you with a reason as to why, which you have the right to legally challenge. At your request Osteopaths can confirm what information it holds about you and how it is processed.
11 – You can request the following information:
· Identity and the contact details of the person or organisation (The Osteopathic Centre) that has determined how and why to process your data.
· Contact details of the data protection officer, where applicable.
· The purpose of the processing as well as the legal basis for processing.
· If the processing is based on the legitimate interests of The Osteopathic Centre and information about these interests.
· The categories of personal data collected, stored and processed.
· Recipient(s) or categories of recipients that the data is/will be disclosed to.
· How long the data will be stored.
· Details of your rights to correct, erasure, restrict or object to such processing.
· Information about your right to withdraw consent at any time.
· How to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority (ICO).
· Whether the provision of personal data is a statutory or contractual requirement, or a requirement necessary to enter into a contract, as well as whether you are obliged to provide the personal data and the possible consequences of failing to provide such data.
· The source of personal data if it wasn’t collected directly from you.
· Any details and information of automated decision making, such as profiling, and any meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and expected consequences of such processing.
12 – To access what personal data is held, identification will be required
The Osteopathic Centre will accept the following forms of identification (ID) when information on your personal data is requested: a copy of your driving licence, passport, birth certificate and a utility bill not older than three months. A minimum of one piece of photographic ID listed above and a supporting document is required. If The Osteopathic Centre is dissatisfied with the quality, further information may be sought before personal data can be released. All requests should be made to ocox10@hotmail.com or by phoning +44 (0) 1628 620897 or writing to us at the address further below.
13 Complaints
In the event that you wish to make a complaint about how your personal data is being processed by The Osteopathic Centre you have the right to complain to us. If you do not get a response within 30 days, you can complain to the ICO.
The details for each of these contacts are:
Oliver Cox
Telephone 01628 620897 or email: ocox10@hotmail.com
This document refers to personal data, which is defined as information concerning any living person (a natural person who hereafter will be called the Data Subject) that is not already in the public domain.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which is EU wide and far more extensive than its predecessor the Data Protection Act, along with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), seek to protect and enhance the rights of EU data subjects. These rights cover the safeguarding of personal data, protection against the unlawful processing of personal data and the unrestricted movement of personal data within the EU and its storage within the EEA.
1 – The Osteopathic Centre
2 – Who we are
3 – Personal Data
4 – Legal basis for processing any personal data
5 – Legitimate interests pursued by Osteopaths
6 – Consent
7 – Disclosure
8 – Retention Policy
9 – Data storage
10 – Your rights as a data subject
11 – You can request the following information:
12 – To access what personal data is held
13 – Complaints
1 – The Osteopathic Centre
Based at, The Linden Medical Centre, 9a Linden Ave, Maidenhead, Berkshire. SL6 6JJ. to provide the following information:
2 – Who we are
The Osteopathic Centre diagnose and treat health conditions. Osteopathic treatments are carried out in accordance with the Institute of Osteopathy’s patient charter http://www.iosteopathy.org/osteopathy/the-patient-charter/.
3 – Personal Data
a) For the purposes of providing treatment, Osteopaths may require detailed medical information. We will only collect what is relevant and necessary for your treatment. When you visit our practice, we will make notes which may include details concerning your medication, treatment and other issues affecting your health. This data is always held securely, is not shared with anyone not involved in your treatment, although for data storage purposes it may be handled by pre-vetted staff who have all signed an integrity and confidentiality agreement. To be able to process your personal data it is a condition of any treatment that you give your explicit consent to allow The Osteopathic Centre to document and process your personal medical data. Contact details provided by you such as telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses may be used to remind you of future appointments and provide reports or other information concerning your treatment.
b) For marketing purposes, The Osteopathic Centre may also use the contact details provided by you to respond to your enquiries, including making telephone contact and emailing information to you which the practice believes may be of interest to you.
c) In making initial contact with the practice you consent to The Osteopathic Centre maintaining a marketing dialogue with you until you either opt out (which you can do at any time) or we decide to desist in promoting our services. The Osteopathic Centre does not broker your data and you can ask to be removed from our marketing database by emailing or phoning the practice using the contact details provided at the end of this Privacy Notice.
d) Some basic personal data may be collected about you from the marketing forms and surveys you complete, from records of our correspondence and phone calls and details of your visits to our website, including but not limited to, personally identifying information like Internet Protocol (IP) addresses.
e) The Osteopathic Centre website uses cookies, which is a string of information that a website stores on a visitor’s computer, and that the visitor’s browser provides to the website each time the visitor returns. Our website uses cookies to help The Osteopathic Centre to identify and track visitors and their website access preferences. The Osteopathic Centre’ website visitors who do not wish to have cookies placed on their computers should set their browsers to refuse cookies before using The Osteopathic Centre’s website.
f) Osteopaths will only collect the information needed so that we can provide you with the services you require, the business does not sell or broker your data.
4 – Legal basis for processing any personal data
To meet our contractual obligations obtained from explicit Patient Consent and legitimate interest to respond to enquiries concerning the services provided.
5 – Legitimate interests pursued by Osteopaths
To promote treatments for patients with all types of health problems indicated for osteopathic care.
6 – Consent
Through agreeing to this privacy notice you are consenting to The Osteopathic Centre processing your personal data for the purposes outlined. You can withdraw consent at any time by using the postal, email address or telephone number provided at the end of this Privacy Notice.
7 – Disclosure
The Osteopathic Centre will keep your personal information safe and secure, only staff engaged in providing your treatment will have access to your patient records, although our administration team will have access to your contact details so that they can make appointments and manage your account. The Osteopathic Centre will not disclose your Personal Information unless compelled to, in order to meet legal obligations, regulations or valid governmental requests. The practice may also enforce its Terms and Conditions, including investigating potential violations of its Terms and Conditions to detect, prevent or mitigate fraud or security or technical issues; or to protect against imminent harm to the rights, property or safety of its staff.
8 – Retention Policy
The Osteopathic Centre will process personal data during the duration of any treatment and will continue to store only the personal data needed for eight years after the contract has expired to meet any legal obligations. After eight years all personal data will be deleted, unless basic information needs to be retained by us to meet our future obligations to you, such as erasure details. Records concerning minors who have received treatment will be retained until the child has reached the age of 25.
9 – Data storage
All data is held in the United Kingdom. The Osteopathic Centre does not store personal data outside the EEA
10 – Your rights as a data subject
At any point whilst The Osteopathic Centre is in possession of, or processing your personal data, all data subjects have the following rights:
· Right of access – you have the right to request a copy of the information that we hold about you.
· Right of rectification – you have a right to correct data that we hold about you that is inaccurate or incomplete.
· Right to be forgotten – in certain circumstances you can ask for the data we hold about you to be erased from our records.
· Right to restriction of processing – where certain conditions apply you have a right to restrict the processing.
· Right of portability – you have the right to have the data we hold about you transferred to another organisation.
· Right to object – you have the right to object to certain types of processing such as direct marketing.
· Right to object to automated processing, including profiling – you also have the right not to be subject to the legal effects of automated processing or profiling.
In the event that The Osteopathic Centre refuses your request under rights of access, we will provide you with a reason as to why, which you have the right to legally challenge. At your request Osteopaths can confirm what information it holds about you and how it is processed.
11 – You can request the following information:
· Identity and the contact details of the person or organisation (The Osteopathic Centre) that has determined how and why to process your data.
· Contact details of the data protection officer, where applicable.
· The purpose of the processing as well as the legal basis for processing.
· If the processing is based on the legitimate interests of The Osteopathic Centre and information about these interests.
· The categories of personal data collected, stored and processed.
· Recipient(s) or categories of recipients that the data is/will be disclosed to.
· How long the data will be stored.
· Details of your rights to correct, erasure, restrict or object to such processing.
· Information about your right to withdraw consent at any time.
· How to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority (ICO).
· Whether the provision of personal data is a statutory or contractual requirement, or a requirement necessary to enter into a contract, as well as whether you are obliged to provide the personal data and the possible consequences of failing to provide such data.
· The source of personal data if it wasn’t collected directly from you.
· Any details and information of automated decision making, such as profiling, and any meaningful information about the logic involved, as well as the significance and expected consequences of such processing.
12 – To access what personal data is held, identification will be required
The Osteopathic Centre will accept the following forms of identification (ID) when information on your personal data is requested: a copy of your driving licence, passport, birth certificate and a utility bill not older than three months. A minimum of one piece of photographic ID listed above and a supporting document is required. If The Osteopathic Centre is dissatisfied with the quality, further information may be sought before personal data can be released. All requests should be made to ocox10@hotmail.com or by phoning +44 (0) 1628 620897 or writing to us at the address further below.
13 Complaints
In the event that you wish to make a complaint about how your personal data is being processed by The Osteopathic Centre you have the right to complain to us. If you do not get a response within 30 days, you can complain to the ICO.
The details for each of these contacts are:
Oliver Cox
Telephone 01628 620897 or email: ocox10@hotmail.com