This leaflet has been prepared by Neil Bruce
D.O. the osteopath at The Centre and in it he
has dealt with many of the questions that first
time clients frequently ask. The leaflet is
divided into four sections, About Neil Bruce,
About Angus Hellier, About Osteopathy and
About Treatment.
29 High Street,
Old Harlow
01279 438444
www.harlow-osteopaths.co.uk
OSTEOPATHIC
CARE
A GUIDE
FOR
CLIENTS
If you have read this leaflet and require any
further information, please ask. Neil or Angus
or the reception staff will be pleased to help
you with any queries that you may have.
About Neil Bruce D.O.
Neil is the osteopath at The Centre and has
been based here since the inception of The
Centre. He qualified in 1985 after 4 years of
full time study at The British School of
Osteopathy. He practised for 10 years in
Sawbridgeworth before moving to Old Harlow
in September 1994 to establish The Centre
with his wife Andrea Bruce, the chiropodist at
The Centre.
About Osteopathy
 Osteopathy evolved in the 1870’s in the
mid-west of America and was devised by
an American G.P., Andrew Taylor Still.
 The first centre for osteopathic education in
this country was the British School of
Osteopathy that opened in London in 1917.
 The current course requires 4 years of full
time study and graduates are awarded the
title D.O. (diploma of osteopathy) or more
recently BSc, Ost.

Registered osteopaths are governed by a
professional body and bound by a code of
ethics.

Osteopathy is renowned for giving relief to
low back pain but osteopathic treatment
can benefit many ailments. Problems such
as headache, whiplash, frozen shoulder,
tennis elbow, trapped nerves, slipped
discs, limb
discomfort and sports
injuries can all be helped.
About Treatment
Osteopathy is a manual therapy. All
techniques are carried out by using the hands
in a variety of ways. These may include
massage, traction, rhythmic joint movements
or manipulation. There is no set treatment for
any single problem because no two people are
the same. Osteopathy is a holistic therapy and
consideration must be given to every
individual as well as the ailment.
Before treatment begins Neil or Angus will
need to take a detailed case history to cover
aspects of both present and past problems.
This is followed by an examination during
which joint movements are analyzed. Further
checks may need to be made on your nervous
system or circulation. If the osteopath feels
that tests such as x-rays or blood samples need
to be carried out they are arranged. Once the
information about your problem has been
collected the osteopath can make the diagnosis
and form a treatment plan.
This may be the first time that you have
undergone osteopathic treatment and like most
new clients you are probably wondering what
to expect. Don’t worry. Many clients come to
The Centre for their initial session having
never experienced the benefits that osteopathy
can provide.
The treatment itself is very gentle and rarely
uncomfortable during the session. As your
injury begins the process of repair you may
feel some discomfort the day after the initial
treatment. This is quite common and is
experienced by some clients. The osteopath
will give you guidance at the first session to
help you deal with this and it is very important
that you carry out any advice that he may give
you as it will help to speed your recovery. If
your injury prevents you from working, Neil
or Angus will provide you with a certificate to
cover any time that you may be away from
work.
The cost of treatment for each session is £35
new patient and Saturdays, and £32 per
subsequent treatment. Neil is registered with
BUPA, PPP, WPA, CIGNA and HSA. Many
other insurance companies will reimburse
fees.
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