Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt?

If you are in pain the injured area may feel a little uncomfortable when it is physically examined and treated but this should not a painful experience. Some discomfort may be felt following treatment but should be short term and can be viewed as a normal reaction therapy in most cases. You will be advised on what to expect after your visit but if you are at all concerned please call the clinic and have a chat with your practitioner.

What should I wear?

You will need to at least expose the painful area for examination and treatment, so please wear something comfortable and loose fitting.

How many treatments will I need?

This is quite difficult to predict because each case is individual. In general, we would normally expect to see you for around 2-4 treatment sessions unless we are treating a reoccuring or chronic condition where a management or maintenance approach has been agreed.

Is treatment covered by my health insurance?

If you intend to use your health insurance we strongly advise you to contact your provider to obtain authorisation. Some policies have excesses that you will need to pay before the policy starts to cover your fees while others may only cover you for a certain number of visits or for treatment to a certain fee level. To avoid any confusion it's always best to talk to your provider first because many policies will not cover you for retrospective visits.

While Marcus Webb has de-listed as a provider for health insurance Josh Lam continues to work with some providers. Please contact the Barnet clinic to clarify that Josh is listed as an osteopath for your provider and is covered by your plan.

Will I need x-rays or other investigations?

This is another question that is very case dependant. In general, we try to avoid requesting new x-rays unless we feel they are really necessary because of the high level of radiation exposure especially when the lower back (lumbar spine) is x-rayed.

In most cases of mechanical back pain x-rays are of limited use.

If we suspect there is a condition underlying your back pain that may require an x-ray we tend to refer you back to your GP.

However, if you have had x-rays performed within the last 6-18 months it is always helpful if you can obtain a copy of the report from your doctor.

In some cases we can arrange private investigations such as x-rays or MRI scans if needed.