What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a regulated healthcare profession focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal conditions. Osteopaths understand that health is shaped by multiple interconnected factors beyond physical symptoms. This biopsychosocial approach considers:

Psychological Factors: How stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional wellbeing influence physical health and recovery

Social Environment: The impact of work, relationships, social support, and daily activities on health

Lifestyle Factors: Sleep patterns, physical activity levels, and daily habits that affect overall wellbeing

Personal Circumstances: Individual life situations, beliefs, and values that shape health experiences

Through understanding these interconnections, osteopaths develop personalised treatment plans that address not just physical symptoms, but the whole person's health and wellbeing. This comprehensive approach helps identify barriers to recovery and supports lasting health outcomes.

As a regulated profession in the UK, osteopaths are highly trained Allied Health Professionals who collaborate with doctors and other healthcare providers to deliver specialized musculoskeletal care.

Hands giving a back massage on a person's lower back.
Person lying on a mat receiving assistance with leg stretch outdoors.
Two people using a green resistance band, one wearing a white shirt and the other in a black shirt with a watch.

Osteopathic Services

  • Close-up of hands giving a foot massage on a towel

    Osteopathy

    I offer comprehensive musculoskeletal treatment, management and support for a wide range of conditions, including:

    Acute and chronic neck and back pain or stiffness

    Cervicogenic headaches

    Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (jaw pain)

    Sciatica

    Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pain or stiffness

    Hip, knee, ankle, and foot pain or stiffness

    Pelvic and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction

    General joint and muscle pain or stiffness

    Chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome

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    Osteopathy & Sports-Related Injuries

    Osteopathic care and management for Sports & Movement-Related Injuries:

    Performance & Prevention

    Pre-competition preparation and injury prevention strategies

    Post-event recovery and rehabilitation

    Return to Sport Support

    Injury Management & Rehabilitation

    Acute sports injury assessment and treatment

    Personalized rehabilitation programs for recurring injuries

    Sport-specific knee injuries

    Sport-specific shoulder injuries

    Sport-specific ankle and foot injuries

    Tendinopathy management

    Pre and post-surgical rehabilitation support

    Repetitive strain injuries

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    Osteopathy & Women's Health

    Verity is passionate about providing osteopathic care for individuals seeking support in women's health related issues, including:

    Pain Management: Using gentle manual therapy techniques to address menstrual pain, pelvic discomfort, and menopausal joint stiffness

    Pelvic Health: Supporting those experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction through targeted exercises and manual treatment

    Support and care for gynaecological conditions: Offering compassionate care for conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, and PCOS. Through gentle osteopathic techniques and targeted health education to help ease discomfort by improving pelvic mobility and addressing inflammation.

    Holistic Care: Addressing broader aspects of women's health including stress management, lifestyle changes, and nutritional guidance

    Exercise rehabilitation: Tailored exercises to strengthen muscles, enhance posture, and improve mobility

    Inclusive Approach to creating a safe, supportive environment for all individuals seeking women's health-related care

  • Rainbow flag with six horizontal stripes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

    LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Healthcare

    Verity chose the name Oaks & Folks Osteopathy to reflect her commitment to providing equitable healthcare in a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and respected. She aims to provide the LGBTQIA+ community with competent, affirming care.

    Drawing from her experience at the specialist Trans osteopathic clinic at UCO London, She offers:

    Culturally competent musculoskeletal care for transgender and non-binary individuals

    Gender-affirming approach to treatment and assessment

    Inclusive language and documentation that respects your identity

    Understanding of specific health considerations and concerns

    Every patient receives individualised care that honours their unique journey, experiences, and needs. She maintains the highest standards of professionalism while creating a safe, supportive space where you can feel confident discussing your health concerns.

What does Osteopathic care include?

Chiropractor adjusting a patient's shoulder jointly

Osteopathic manual treatment incorporates several hands-on techniques:

Joint articulation and mobilization

Soft tissue massage and release techniques

Muscle energy techniques

Fascial release techniques

These target all soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and joints to reduce tension, relieve pain, and improve movement. While treatment is generally relaxing, you might feel mild discomfort when we work on sensitive areas—we'll always maintain clear communication to ensure your comfort. Not every osteopathic consultation will include hands-on treatment. This depends on the complexity of your condition and what current evidence suggests would be most effective.

One of osteopathy's fundamental strengths lies in its comprehensive scope—treatment encompasses:

Personalized exercise rehabilitation programs

Comprehensive lifestyle guidance covering diet, sleep, stress management, and ergonomics.

Education and support to help you understand your condition and take an active role in your recovery.

Preventive care strategies

A comprehensive, evidence-based osteopathic care plan combines all of these treatments to address your unique needs, values, and goals.

Person wearing black gloves holding a foot
Close-up of hands performing a foot massage on a person's foot, resting on a soft towel.

Important Notice

At present, I do not provide treatment for pregnant individuals or children under the age of 18.

These groups have specialized healthcare needs that require additional training and expertise. I am committed to furthering my professional development in these areas and hope to expand my services in the future to include pregnancy and pediatric care. If you are pregnant or seeking treatment for someone under 18, I would be happy to refer you to qualified practitioners who specialize in these areas.

What to expect during your visit?

  • During your first visit, I'll take a detailed case history covering your current concerns and overall health background. We'll discuss your work, sleep, stress, diet, values, and beliefs. This thorough approach helps me create a personalised treatment plan and determine if you need additional medical support. Keep in mind that I may not always provide hands-on treatment in the first consultation—this depends on your condition's complexity and what current evidence suggests would be most effective.

    The examination includes observing your movements, performing hands-on assessment with guided movements based on your history, and conducting clinical tests when needed (neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, or orthopedic). These tests may briefly reproduce your symptoms to help form a working diagnosis. I'll explain everything beforehand and ensure your comfort throughout.

    After the examination, I'll share my findings and explain your working diagnosis, including potential underlying causes. Together, we'll review treatment options, discussing benefits, risks, and alternatives. I'll provide clear information to help you make informed decisions about your care. Through collaborative planning, we'll create an evidence-informed treatment approach that addresses the key factors affecting your condition while aligning with your personal goals and values.

  • Follow-up appointments focus on reviewing progress and adjusting care as needed. These sessions blend hands-on treatment with rehab exercises, personalised advice and educational support. If your specific condition requires a course of treatment, you may need several appointments scheduled closer together initially to make progress before spacing them out. I will never ask you to pay upfront for multiple sessions.

  • Your comfort and dignity are my top priorities. While athletic wear or form-fitting shorts make examination and treatment easier, I respect all cultural, religious, and personal preferences regarding modesty and will adapt my examination and treatment techniques to work effectively while you remain fully clothed.

  • Before any examination or treatment, I'll explain what I recommend and why, including potential risks and benefits. I'll provide clear information to help you make informed decisions about your care. I only proceed with your explicit consent and check regularly that you're comfortable. You can pause or stop treatment at any time, and I'll adjust my approach to suit your needs.

  • If your condition requires different expertise, I'll refer you to a more suitable healthcare provider. I screen for red flags during sessions and will refer you to appropriate care when needed, such as your GP, A&E or other health professionals.

If you have any questions or concerns about your appointment, please get in touch. I'm always happy to explain how our sessions work and help ease any worries you might have about your visit.