What types of treatment may I receive?
The treatment you receive will depend upon what the Practitioner finds in his/her evaluation. Our treatment approach focuses on helping you by listening to what you want to achieve. We are always happy to help you decide which treatment is best for you. However to help you decide which direction to take, we've split our treatments into clinical therapies and holistic therapies:
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Do I need a referral from my GP to visit Woodside Clinic?
No. Although we regularly receive referrals from GPs, Consultants and other health professionals, many of our patients are 'self-referrals' or referred by a friend or family member.
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Why should I decide to have treatment?
The goal of treatment should, we believe, be to resolve your problem not just temporarily relieve it. Although medication and other forms of treatment can be helpful in easing symptoms, our clinical therapies will, in the vast majority of cases, produce a long-term result. Depending on your diagnosis, your GP may opt to utilise medication in conjunction with your treatment.
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Is it ok to ask my doctor before coming for treatment?
Absolutely. If you have a problem that you think can be helped with treatment, feel free to give us a call. After discussing with you the specific problem you present with, we can give you a better idea if it is something we can help with. We work closely with our medical colleagues and regularly receive referrals from a variety of GP's, Consultants, Practice Nurses, Health visitors, Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and other health professionals. So, particularly if it's someone based in Bedfordshire, there's a good chance that when you visit them for advice, you'll find that we're already used to working with them.
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How do I arrange an appointment?
Simply call the clinic nearest to you for an appointment. You can contact us for an appointment with or without a referral. Our clinic hours and locations are explained on the locations page of this website. Our office staff will be happy to help you, provide with all the necessary information and assist you in making an appointment.
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Who chooses which Practitioner I go to?
Often your GP or Consultant will give you a recommendation. If you have private health care, the companyt may guide you with regard to who is recognised by your insurance plan. Ultimately, however, although the decision as to where you receive your care is up to you, we are always happy to guide you regarding which therapist and/or treatment would be best for you.
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When is the best time to start treatment?
In general, treatment should be accessed as early as possible. Initiating treatment early on will usually reduce the overall treatment time you will require by not allowing the problem to become chronic (ie.established 'long term'). Whether or not you're in pain and/or you are in an acute state, our approach will be adapted according to your signs and symptoms. What is done for you in treatment depends on the clinical stage you are presenting in, not just the diagnosis. So your care will be modified according to the signs and symptoms during the acute, subacute, and chronic phases of your problem.
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What should I expect on my first visit?
You will be greeted in reception by our receptionist and asked to sign our ‘Introduction to Woodside Clinic’ letter.
When you meet your Practitioner, he/she will take a detailed case history to determine what problems you have that can be addressed by us. This case history involves a thorough history of your specific and general medical complaints. Your therapist will then examine you (which may include a variety of clinical tests and checks), following which your Practitioner will form an opinion as to the specific problems you present with. A treatment programme will be developed, aimed at resolving the problem(s) that have been identified and helping you to look forward to a good recovery - all in conjunction with what you decide that you want! If you're ever unsure of anything, do ask!
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How long will my visit last?
In general, our clinical therapies take about ½ hour. On the first treatment, the visit will consist of an evaluation before any treatment takes place. Holistic therapies, Pilates and initial podiatry visits often last longer.
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What should I wear?
In general, wear comfortable clothing for treatment. If you are presenting with a problem in your neck, upper back or shoulders, your therapist will need to look at your upper back. If you are coming for a hip, low back or leg complaint, you'll need to wear something that will overlay the area covered by shorts (or similar). You can of course always bring whatever you like to wear with you if you need to change here.
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What should I bring with me?
For your first visit, you will need details of any medication you are currently taking and any paperwork that was sent to you that needs to be filled out. If you have any operative reports, MRI or X-ray results and/or pictures, its helpful if you bring those as well. Additionally, if you are utilising any type of brace, splint, or crutches, those should come with you.
You'll also need to bring private insurance details if you're claiming costs back in this way.
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Should I take pain killers prior to my visit with you?
Many patients feel that analgesics 'deaden their symptoms' and make our job more difficult. However our osteopaths, physiotherapists and acupuncturists are all experienced in the process of patient assessment, so if you've been prescribed pain relieving drugs, it should not preclude an effective diagnosis and treatment. It is however, always useful to bring along details of the drugs you've been prescribed, as it will help us assess how much pain may have been 'deadened'!
Nb. The same is not true of alcohol - it might help deaden pain but it also dulls the ability to describe a condition properly!
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How is my progress measured?
During your first few visits your therapist is likely to perform a detailed clinical evaluation.This not only helps in assessing your complaint but also enables us to keep a check on how things progress. However the 'key 'barometer' is you! We generally expect most patients to feel a significant improvement within the first treatment or two, certainly within three or four visits. If this is not the case we will discuss how we consider it would be best to proceed.
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How many treatments will I require?
This varies from patient to patient and according to the condition(s) with which you visit us.
Generally speaking however, we expect most patients to be feeling significant benefits after just one or two visits, and if we can help we would certainly normally expect an improvement within the first three or four visits.
A course of treatment can therefore be anything from one or two visits to, in most cases, a maximum of five or six visits. Naturally, really severe complaints take longer but we'll keep you informed regarding the needs of your specific case.
There are times when we find that we're unable to help, in which case you may only require one visit and we'll endeavour to find the best alternative solution for you.
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How will you communicate with my GP / Consultant?
Your therapist will, with your permission, communicate with your GP and/or Consultant most commonly by written report. If you've been referred by your GP or Consultant, we'll send a written report outlining the findings of the initial evaluation as well as the assessment of the problem and an outline of the general treatment and frequency with which you've been seen. It is important that you let your therapist know if you have an appointment with your GP/Consultant because he/she can ensure that we've sent up-to-date information in advance of your visit.
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Will I need follow-up or maintenance care?
The goal at our practices is to resolve your problem completely so you do not require continual follow-up or maintenance care. There are some patients and conditions (eg. spondylosis, 'wear and tear' and unstable disc problems) which may respond especially well to follow-up care or re-assessment on a periodic basis. If this is the case for you, it be discussed with you once you are in treatment or at discharge.
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What if I need to return for treatment?
If a problem recurs after your discharge from treatment, we're always happy to help. Although this isn't common, it does occur, especially if, for example, you've suffered several episodes of back pain in the past and have an underlying weakness (especially if you don't do the exercises we've given you!). If we have any concerns regarding the need for further investigations and/or onward referral, we will of course let you know.
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Will my private healthcare cover the cost of treatment?
Although all insurance companies do cover the majority of our treatments, what they specifically cover varies greatly. Our Osteopaths, Physiotherapists and Acupuncturists are, between them, recognised by all health insurance providers including AXA-PPP, Norwich Union, Simply Health and BUPA. You're always advised to check with your private health care provider first to see if they will cover the treatment you are having and the extent of your cover. If you have additional questions regarding your specific insurance, give us a call.
Nb. You may have an 'exess' which means that you'll be due to pay the first, for example, £100 of your claim. This is often not the case though.
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What is my responsibility in treatment?
You are our partner in your recovery. Your Practitioner needs you to be involved too! We ask that all patients cooperate by following through with their home exercise programs and instructions as this is extremely important in helping your recovery.
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What clinic policies should I be aware of?
We ask that our patients:
Please give 24 hours notice, when possible, for cancellations. Even when there's no receptionist available, all of our practices utilise an answering machine.
Call if you have a question or a concern or if you will be late. We will do our best to fit you in but we need to know in advance for consideration of other patients.
Please arrive on time.
Notify your Practitioner at least one week prior to returning to your GP. The Practitioner will need this date should he/she need to re-asess you and update your GP on your progress.
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What if I have an increase in symptoms?
In the unusual event that you suffer an increase in symptoms, please call us. When you do, please be sure you explain to the staff that you are having an increase in symptoms. The staff will get out your medical notes and ensure that your therapist (or another senior clinician) contact you the same day. After we discuss the case with you, we will be able to give you guidelines as to what would be appropriate to reduce your symptoms, whether you need to come into us, or if you should contact or follow-up with your physician.
The most common causes of an increase in symptoms relate to our patients being over-enthusiastic after they've been seen! So if you decided to mow the lawn or paint your bedroom the evening after your treatment, do let us know, it's probably rather relevant!
Either way, its generally best to call us prior to calling your GP because if a change in symptoms has occurred, we have access to your treatment records and the way your case is progressing, so we usually have the best information to help you and/or to provide up-to-date info. to the GP.
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Are all the practitioners registered?
Yes, they are all fully qualified and each practitioner has full membership with his/her profession's main governing body.
We also have a considerable commitment to continued in-house professional development, with case reviews and 'best practice' discussions. We also include lectures from various leading medical experts as a regular part of our annual practice diary.
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How does hypnotherapy work?
Hypnotherapy at our Dunstable and Shefford clinics should really be described as Medical Hypnotherapy because our hypnotherapist, Dr Heli Ots, is also a qualified Doctor.
Hypnosis is thought to work by altering our state of consciousness in such a way that the analytical left-hand side of the brain is turned off, while the non-analytical right-hand side is made more receptive. Since the subconscious mind is a deeper seated, more instinctive force than the conscious part of the mind, this is the part which has to change and be re-programmed so that deep-seated instincts and beliefs are abolished or altered. This allows irrational fears, negative thoughts and suppressed emotions to be overcome.
As the body is released from conscious control during the relaxed trans-like state, breathing becomes slower and deeper, the pulse rate drops and the sensation of pain becomes less acute, also the awareness of other unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea or indigestion, become alleviated.
As mentioned above, patients remain fully aware of their surroundings and situation and are not vulnerable to every given command of the therapist! The important thing is that the patient wants to change his or her behavioural habits and is highly motivated to do so. The results then can be really astonishing!
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