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FAQS
HOW DO I FIND YOU?
We are located in the Tower Business Park in Tiptree.From Tiptree follow the B1023 towards Kelvedon. The Crate Tiptree Village will be the first on your left just after the big red tower (Tower Feeds). You will pass a car wash on the left and the next entrance that side will be Crate Tiptree where Advanced Balance Wellness Clinic is situated.
DO YOU HAVE DISABLED ACCESS?
The clinic has disability access and a ramp running up to the clinic entrance, however, please advise when booking if you will need disabled access so priority parking can be reserved.
HOW IS PAYMENT MADE?
Payment is made on booking through the online booking system or if you have booked manually, there will be a card reader at the clinic after your treatment and cash is also accepted.
IS THERE A CANCELLATION POLICY?
Due to the nature of this business, if a patient does not turn up for their appointment or/and has given less than 24hrs notice, it’s unlikely that the clinic will be able to fill that appointment time, therefore causing financial loss to the business. Unfortunately, in this circumstance any no shows or late cancellations within 24 hours will be charged the full appointment cost.
DO YOU DO HOME VISITS?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service. If you are concerned about accessing the building, we do have disabled access. If you are in too much pain to travel, we suggest you contact us so that we can advise you on the best course of action to help with your symptoms until such time you are able to travel to the clinic and we can help you further.
CAN I BRING A CHAPERONE?
Yes, of course. Please feel free to bring a friend or family member if you would like someone to accompany you during your appointment. Anyone who accompanies you will also be able to use the reception facilities while waiting for your appointment to finish. Unfortunately, we have no childcare facilities, but your children are welcome to accompany you and we will do our best to keep them occupied.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING AND WEAR?
It will normally be necessary to examine the area of pain and possibly other associated parts of the body. For this reason, you may wish to bring shorts and a vest top to change into or wear loose fitting clothing. It will also be helpful to bring details of any medication you are taking or test results you have that relate to your complaint.
WHAT SORT OF THINGS CAN YOU TREAT?
The main purpose of our treatment is to reduce pain and improve physical function, it is therefore appropriate for many different types of conditions. Some of the more common complaints which we see include; Arthritic Pain, Back Pain, Neck Pain and Headaches, Peripheral Joint Pain (Hips, Knees, Ankles, Shoulders, Elbows and Wrists conditions), Postural Problems Causing Pain, Sports Injuries, Sprained Ligaments and Strained Muscle, Tendinopathy, Radiculopathy – herniated discs, compressed nerves, sciatica.
WHEN SHOULD I NOT BOOK AN APPOINTMENT?
Contraindications are conditions when you should not have osteopathic or massage treatments. The most common contraindication is that of an acute injury or inflammation. Usually, the first 72 hours after an injury is the acute stage and treatment should be avoided. Please feel free to call the clinic where we can advise what can be done in the first 72 hours.
WHAT ARE MUSCLE KNOTS AND WHAT DO THEY FEEL LIKE?
Knots are usually a type of spasm that causes a small portion of a muscle to tense up. This tension can often be painful. Muscle knots usually happen because a muscle has been irritated by a repetitive motion, weakness or fatigue. Athletes will notice muscle knots after training one group of muscles for a long period of time.
Since everyone experiences pain differently, your symptoms may vary from those of someone else. However, most people agree that muscle knots feel swollen, tense, or bumpy, and cause an aching sensation. Depending on where in the body the muscle knot is located, it may cause seemingly unrelated pain in other areas.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
This varies between individuals, however, according to independent research*, more than 7 out of 10 people feel improved after their first treatment. After 3 to 4 treatments, more than 8 out of 10 people feel improvement. There are a few factors that may help you to decide the best treatment schedule for you.
Training intensity / frequency / duration
The harder you work your body, the more you will benefit from regular treatment. Think about how often you train, how hard you push yourself, and for how long. Don’t forget to mention to your therapist if you have trained before your treatment or plan to train after.
Schedule
Whilst it is not recommended to have your first ever treatment before an event or competition, if you know how your body responds to treatment you may wish to incorporate therapy as a regular component of your training and recovery. It is best to schedule your treatment around less intense training days in order to optimise muscle recovery. Muscles can occasionally feel fatigued after treatment.
What are your goals?
If you are receiving maintenance treatment you may require less frequent visits than a person with an acute injury. If you are receiving treatment for an injury you may benefit from more frequent appointments at the beginning of your rehabilitation. Those who are seeking treatment for chronic issues or posture improvement may require regular appointments over a longer period of time.
ARE THERE ANY RISKS TO HAVING TREATMENT?
As with all kinds of medical treatment, osteopathy and massage does carry some risk of side effects, albeit very small. According to independent research**, the majority of patients do not experience any side effects. However, 1 out of every 100 people may experience moderate side effects, such as a temporary increase in symptoms.
Most patients will experience gradual improvement in their symptoms following treatment. However, some patients may feel a slight increase in discomfort for up to 48 hours. You will be warned if this is likely to occur and advised on ways to reduce any additional discomfort that may occur.
The discomfort you feel during and after a treatment is completely normal and, overall, it means it is working. But treatment should never cause you so much pain that you feel the need to tense up. If your muscles are tense, then they won't be getting much of a benefit from the treatment.
Physical therapy can be compared to a workout for the body as your muscles are being manipulated in ways that they might not be used to. This post treatment soreness is called Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and, depending on your experience of having treatment, can often start to develop 6-8 hours post treatment/workout and peak at 48-72 hours.
WILL I NEED TO AVOID CERTAIN ACTIVITIES?
After your appointment, you will be able to continue with any activities that you were already undertaking beforehand, such as returning to work, or driving home. It will be discussed in your appointment if there are any activities that are best avoided or limited to improve your response to treatment.
WHAT HAPPENS IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG?
If you have any cause for concern during or after your appointment, you should raise these concerns with your osteopath at the earliest opportunity. If we are not able to resolve your concerns, you can contact our governing body, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) on 020 7357 6655.
*Carnes D, Mars T, Mullinger B, Underwood M (2010) Adverse events in manual therapy: a systematic review. Manual Therapy 15(4): 355-363
**Vogel S, Mars T, Keeping S, Barton T, Marlin N, Froud R, Eldrifge S, Underwood M, Pincus T (2013) Clinical risk in osteopathy and management scientific report: The CROaM Study.