What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of healthcare focused on diagnosing and treating problems related to muscles, joints, and movement. It is a hands-on approach that considers how the body functions as a whole. Rather than focusing only on the area that is painful, osteopaths assess how different parts of the body are working together and identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Osteopaths treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, joint problems, muscle tension, and headaches. Treatment is tailored to the individual and may involve a combination of manual techniques, movement-based advice, and rehabilitation strategies.
Hands-on treatment can include:
The aim is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support the body’s ability to function effectively.
Osteopathy has been practised for over 140 years and is supported by a growing body of clinical research. In the UK, osteopaths are regulated healthcare professionals, registered with the General Osteopathic Council, and complete a minimum of four years of degree-level training.
Osteopaths treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including back and neck pain, joint problems, muscle tension, and headaches. Treatment is tailored to the individual and may involve a combination of manual techniques, movement-based advice, and rehabilitation strategies.
Hands-on treatment can include:
- Soft tissue techniques (similar to massage)
- Joint mobilisation and stretching
- Manipulation (where appropriate)
- More gentle approaches such as cranial techniques
The aim is to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support the body’s ability to function effectively.
Osteopathy has been practised for over 140 years and is supported by a growing body of clinical research. In the UK, osteopaths are regulated healthcare professionals, registered with the General Osteopathic Council, and complete a minimum of four years of degree-level training.
How is osteopathy different from physiotherapy or chiropractic care?
Osteopathy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic care can all be effective ways to treat pain and improve how your body moves. There is often some overlap between them, and the right approach can depend on the individual and the problem.
Physiotherapy often focuses more on rehabilitation, exercise, and strength, particularly after injury or surgery. Chiropractic care is commonly associated with spinal treatment and manipulation.
Osteopathy tends to sit somewhere in between. We use hands-on treatment alongside movement, advice, and a broader view of how your body is functioning as a whole. Rather than following a set formula, treatment is adapted to you, taking into account your lifestyle, your history, and what is most likely to help.
If you are unsure which approach is right for you, we are always happy to guide you.
Physiotherapy often focuses more on rehabilitation, exercise, and strength, particularly after injury or surgery. Chiropractic care is commonly associated with spinal treatment and manipulation.
Osteopathy tends to sit somewhere in between. We use hands-on treatment alongside movement, advice, and a broader view of how your body is functioning as a whole. Rather than following a set formula, treatment is adapted to you, taking into account your lifestyle, your history, and what is most likely to help.
If you are unsure which approach is right for you, we are always happy to guide you.
What can I expect at a first appointment
At your first appointment, we take the time to understand what is going on. This includes a full medical history, a discussion about your symptoms and lifestyle, and a physical examination. You may be asked to remove some clothing and perform a few simple movements so we can assess how your body is working.
We will explain our findings, talk through a diagnosis, and agree the next steps with you. If appropriate, treatment can begin at this appointment. This session lasts up to an hour.
Treatment is hands-on and tailored to you. Using a refined sense of touch, we assess areas of tension and restriction, then use a combination of gentle massage, joint movement, and muscle release techniques to help improve how your body moves. Where suitable, this may also include manipulation. Everything is adapted to what is right for you.
If you're still not sure, why not get in touch with us directly and one of our team can provide guidance based on your symptoms and help determine whether treatment would be suitable.
We will explain our findings, talk through a diagnosis, and agree the next steps with you. If appropriate, treatment can begin at this appointment. This session lasts up to an hour.
Treatment is hands-on and tailored to you. Using a refined sense of touch, we assess areas of tension and restriction, then use a combination of gentle massage, joint movement, and muscle release techniques to help improve how your body moves. Where suitable, this may also include manipulation. Everything is adapted to what is right for you.
If you're still not sure, why not get in touch with us directly and one of our team can provide guidance based on your symptoms and help determine whether treatment would be suitable.
What do you treat?
People come to see us for a wide range of aches, pains, and movement-related problems. If you are not sure whether we can help, you are always welcome to get in touch and we will point you in the right direction.
We commonly see people with:
We treat people of all ages, from those with physically demanding jobs to those spending long hours at a desk, as well as anyone simply wanting to move and feel better day to day.
Our focus is always on understanding what is driving your symptoms and helping you find a practical way forward.
We commonly see people with:
- General aches and pains
- Back pain, including lumbago and sciatica
- Neck pain and tension
- Joint pain, including hips, knees, and shoulders
- Muscle tension and spasms
- Headaches arising from the neck
- Minor sports injuries
- Shoulder, elbow, and wrist problems, including tennis elbow
- Arthritic pain, including osteoarthritis (alongside appropriate medical care and exercise)
- Neck and throat tension affecting voice use
We treat people of all ages, from those with physically demanding jobs to those spending long hours at a desk, as well as anyone simply wanting to move and feel better day to day.
Our focus is always on understanding what is driving your symptoms and helping you find a practical way forward.
How much will it cost and can I use my insurance?
Osteopathy:
Initial appointment: £75
Follow up appointments: £60
Dragon Osteopaths accept cash, cheque and card payments, BACS transfers and Apple Pay.
We do not routinely work with private health insurers, and most patients pay directly for their treatment. This helps us avoid unnecessary restrictions and focus on providing the care we feel is right for you. If you are planning to use insurance, you are welcome to check with your practitioner before booking to see whether this can be accommodated.
Please note we have a 24 hour cancellation policy and a full payment will be required if you do not attend without notifying your practitioner. For more details, please see our full cancellation policy.
Initial appointment: £75
Follow up appointments: £60
Dragon Osteopaths accept cash, cheque and card payments, BACS transfers and Apple Pay.
We do not routinely work with private health insurers, and most patients pay directly for their treatment. This helps us avoid unnecessary restrictions and focus on providing the care we feel is right for you. If you are planning to use insurance, you are welcome to check with your practitioner before booking to see whether this can be accommodated.
Please note we have a 24 hour cancellation policy and a full payment will be required if you do not attend without notifying your practitioner. For more details, please see our full cancellation policy.
Qualifications
To use the title “Osteopath,” all of our practitioners are registered with the General Osteopathic Council. This ensures we meet the required standards of training, safety, and professional practice.
Training is between 4 and 5 years at recognised Osteopathic Colleges, with a further requirement to complete ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) each year. Our osteopaths regularly build on this through additional courses and areas of specialist interest. This allows us to keep our knowledge up to date and continue refining how we work.
You can find more detail about each osteopath’s individual training and post graduate qualifications on our 'Meet the Team' page.
Training is between 4 and 5 years at recognised Osteopathic Colleges, with a further requirement to complete ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) each year. Our osteopaths regularly build on this through additional courses and areas of specialist interest. This allows us to keep our knowledge up to date and continue refining how we work.
You can find more detail about each osteopath’s individual training and post graduate qualifications on our 'Meet the Team' page.
Finding the clinic
Old Boundary House,
London Road,
Sunningdale,
Berkshire.
SL5 0DJ
For Google Maps please use 'Old Boundary House' or 'Dragon Osteopaths'.
Please park in the visitor bays parallel to the building, or in a marked Visitor bay. Some Sat-navs will direct you to the car park behind the building. This is a free car park (3hrs) but if you wish to park there you MUST get a ticket.
From Egham & The M25:
Head straight up the A30 towards Sunningdale. After passing the 30mph speed camera (on your left), you’ll see a car park sign on your right, turn in there. Immediately on your left is an open gateway.
From Sunningdale Station:
Coming from the station along the A30 towards Egham, just after the Wentworth Aesthetics clinic on your left, you’ll see a car park sign on your left, turn in there. Immediately on your left is an open gateway.
Please drive in, turn right and park in front of Old Boundary House.
If you are arriving on foot, please use this entrance (not the pedestrian gate on the A30).
London Road,
Sunningdale,
Berkshire.
SL5 0DJ
For Google Maps please use 'Old Boundary House' or 'Dragon Osteopaths'.
Please park in the visitor bays parallel to the building, or in a marked Visitor bay. Some Sat-navs will direct you to the car park behind the building. This is a free car park (3hrs) but if you wish to park there you MUST get a ticket.
From Egham & The M25:
Head straight up the A30 towards Sunningdale. After passing the 30mph speed camera (on your left), you’ll see a car park sign on your right, turn in there. Immediately on your left is an open gateway.
From Sunningdale Station:
Coming from the station along the A30 towards Egham, just after the Wentworth Aesthetics clinic on your left, you’ll see a car park sign on your left, turn in there. Immediately on your left is an open gateway.
Please drive in, turn right and park in front of Old Boundary House.
If you are arriving on foot, please use this entrance (not the pedestrian gate on the A30).
When you arrive
Once you have parked (or if arriving on foot), make your way upstairs and take a seat in the waiting area.
Use the left hand door marked 'Dragon Osteopaths'
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Take a seat in the waiting area
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