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?
What to expect on your Initial Consultation?
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.
The osteopath will explain the diagnosis to you, and discuss the range of treatment options that are available.
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.
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?
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.
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