Annabel first became interested in Osteopathy when she was treated by an osteopath for several sporting injuries as a teenager. Following this, she decided to pursue her interests and enrol in the Osteopathy programme at Swansea University, which is ranked 1st in the UK for complementary medicine (Complete University Guide). During Annabel’s university and post-graduate studies, she gained a wide range of clinical experience in both private practise and National Health Service (NHS) clinics. Through this, she treated a variety of musculoskeletal pathologies in conjunction with GP referral patients. Annabel enjoys treating a diverse range of people and utilizes a selection of structural techniques to get the best results for each individual. Through this, she aspires to make a positive difference to all patients, optimising health and wellbeing.

Following her degree completion, Annabel was delighted to win ‘Student of the Year’ at her graduation ceremony in addition to the ‘Rising Star’ award presented by the Institute of Osteopathy in London. She strives to seek continual learning through attending regular courses to further her knowledge.

Dr Annabel Curtis

Osteopath M.Ost

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopaths are government registered primary health care practitioners who have completed an intense 4-5 years undergraduate medical science qualification followed by a graduate clinical program. Osteopaths are trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
Osteopathic practice is a form of manual medicine that recognises the important link between the body’s structure and the way it functions. Through this, osteopaths focus on how a person’s joints, muscles, nerves, circulation and connective tissues function as a holistic unit. Consequently, osteopathic treatment is tailored to address physical dysfunction and movement impairment where the primary aim is to restore function and optimise wellbeing.
What an initial osteopathic consultation consists of is a medical case history where symptoms are discussed in addition to previous medical conditions. We then move on to the examination and testing process whereby we analyse your symptoms and evaluate your condition. Following this, your diagnosis is discussed which includes detailed explanation of your condition and treatment options tailored to reach your goals and get the best results. Treatment typically involves combinations of joint and nerve mobilisation, manipulation, muscular stretching and dry needling customised to your condition.

What to expect on your Initial Consultation?

What an initial osteopathic consultation consists of is a medical case history where symptoms are discussed in addition to previous medical conditions. If you have any recent X rays, MRIs or other forms of imaging please bring the report to your consultation. Following this, your osteopath will examine you. Depending on the area of compliant, you may need to dress down slightly. This will include detailed physical examination and orthopaedic testing. Your osteopath will then discuss with you a report of findings which includes a thorough explanation of your symptoms, diagnosis, the causative factors and what treatment is recommend to get the best results.
Our first aim is to relieve your pain. We then focus on correcting the underlying cause to avoid similar types of symptoms from re-arising, allowing optimal function. Treatment typically involves combinations of joint and nerve mobilisation, manipulation, muscular stretching and dry needling personalised to your condition.

Assessment
The aim of the assessment is to find out the cause of your symptoms. The osteopath will begin by undertaking a thorough medical history and examination to diagnose your problem.

Report of Findings
The osteopath will explain the diagnosis to you, and discuss the range of treatment options that are available.

Treatment Plan
Your osteopath will design a treatment plan that is specific to your needs. It will include an estimated recovery time, number of treatments and how to minimise the chances of the problem reoccurring. You may be given rehabilitation exercises.

Relieve, Recondition, Optimisation
Our unique three-stage chiropractic treatment methodology. Our first objective is to relieve your pain, before reconditioning and optimising your body. Our aim is to keep your body functioning in optimal condition so that you can get on with your life.

How can we Help?

Neck Pain
Elbow Pain
Back Pain
Trapped Nerve
Whiplash
Herniated Disk
Shoulder Injuries
Sports Injuries
Ankle Pain
Arthritis
Knee Pain
Stress

Frankly Answered Questions (FAQs)

Most frequent questions and answers about Osteopathy:

Yes! Osteopathic examination and treatment is delivered by a registered practitioner with risk factors identified prior to any treatment is given! Your osteopath will explain possible risks of treatment and discuss any concerns you may have prior to commencing with treatment.

Osteopaths undertake an intense 4 – 5 year full time degree course with specific emphases on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, X- rays, spinal adjusting and soft tissues techniques. In addition to this, student osteopaths undertake 1,500 clinical hours under experienced supervision prior to qualifying.

The number of treatments varies with each patient and their individual health goals. Problems that you have neglected may require ongoing care for optimal function. Other acute problems may only require a few visits. In majority of cases visits become less often as your spine and body stabilises. But it is important to remember that each visit builds on the one before. Chronic cases may require months or even years of treatment.

After years of training, osteopaths become highly skilled in a variety of techniques to adjust and manipulative your body. Spinal and joint manipulation or adjustment is the use of a specific force in a precise direction to adjust a joint that is not moving correctly. This helps restore function to a joint, improving mobility and reducing any pressure on adjacent nerves and muscles. Joint manipulation is often painless and very quick with minimal risk factors.

During a Joint adjustment it is very common to hear a “popping” sound. A common misconception is that the noise released is a result of bones or joint popping back into place. What this noise really is, is a quick release of pressure within a joint capsule resulting in a small release of gas (Nitrous Oxide).

Depending on the area of complaint, your osteopath may ask you to dress down slightly in order to conduct a proper examination. Patients are therefore generally advised to wear loose fitted shorts/sports leggings and a t-shirt/vest.

No. The osteopath evaluates each patient’s unique problem and develops an individual custom-tailored care programme.

Yes, most major private health insurers fund osteopathic treatment. Reimbursement will depend on the insurer and the plan you have chosen. Contact the helpline of your insurance company who will explain the best way to claim on your individual policy.

More and more people are consulting osteopaths in their later years. With concerns about over medications and side effects of drugs, safe natural osteopathic care is growing in popularity. Many people are told to put up with their pain due to their age. However, this is not always the case. Restoring better body and spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality and endurance.

Testimonials

I had big pain in my shoulder and in my hip for a while. I have booked with Annabel Curtis (Osteopath) and just in the first session I felt a huge relief. Few sessions after, I feel more much better, aligned body and ready to go back to my sport life. Really worth it!!
Patricia Ayuso
Bristol
Thank you for all your help and advice, most of all thank you for mending my lower back. Without your help and advice, I would still be in miserable and unable to carry day to day duties, training but most importantly look after my children and run the house.
Veena Garara, Specialist Dental Nurse
London
My neck injury and whiplash following a car accident has improved massively to the point where I barely notice any symptoms. Your treatment was brilliant and helped speed up my recovery so thanks for all your help.
Edward Ramsted
Bristol
I am writing a testimonial for you as I have been using alternative treatment for my lower back for about 15 years. This has included Massage, Physio, McTimony, Acupuncture and Chiropractors. Nothing has reduced my pain as rapidly and effectively as Annabel’s treatment. Initially when I came to see her, my back was very inflamed. You reduced my pain by about 70% within half an hour. I received two further treatments from you and the pain was completely gone and I was able to move again more easily than for years.You also gave me advice about managing moving, so as not to aggravate and inflame the nerves again.  This was very helpful and allowed me to start moving again safely and grade the amount I did. I am now moving more freely than I have done for years! Thank you.
Lyn Deas, Occupational Therapist
Bristol
Having weekly sessions with Annabel Curtis has helped heal my long-term shoulder injury. I tried everything to fix it before, but nothing worked. The muscle release work gives me instant relief and mobility. She is extremely good at what she does and always willing to answer any questions in detail so that I gain more understanding. Every time I leave its like a weight off my shoulders. Would highly recommend and have done so to friends and colleagues already.
Harry Baldwin, Personal Trainer
Bristol
After years of suffering with upper back and neck pain and discomfort and spending £100s on massages thinking they were the answer, a massage therapist at The Medical suggested I see an osteopath. This is when I met Annabel who was the answer to my prayers! Annabel was able to pinpoint my problem from the first consultation, following up with a treatment plan. After returning for a number of sessions with Annabel I have seen major improvement. I'm almost there! I am really pleased and can't recommend her professional yet personable service highly enough. There's no need to suffer anymore.
Alexandria Hope
Bristol