Osteopathy treatments in Flow Tunbridge Wells, Kent

PRICING INFORMATION

Initial consultation (45 – 60 minutes) £50

Follow up appointment (30 minutes) £50

Payment is made to Ben on the day of the treatment.

Should you prefer not to book via the online form above you can telephone 01892 671764 and speak to our receptionists who will be happy to help.

Payment is required in full unless cancelled with at least 24 hours notice.

Covid – 19 surcharges

All appointments will carry a £5 PPE surcharge

Should your appointment require a pre-consultation telephone call, this will carry a £5 surcharge

WHO YOU WILL SEE

Ben Parker – Registered Osteopath
Ben has been a local osteopath since 1999 and has extensive experience in working with individuals with a wide range of physical complaints using both structural and cranial osteopathic techniques. Ben opened Groombridge Osteopathy in 2005 and expanded his business into Flow Tunbridge Wells in 2015.

He is particularly interested in helping people to understand the causes of their injuries and how to prevent their recurrence. Ben emphasises the importance of exercise in the process of recovery.

Registered Osteopath – GOsC Reg. 4134
BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine
Naturopathy Diploma
22 years of experience, qualified in 1999
Accredited by all major health insurers

TYPES OF TREATMENT

Structural Osteopathy
The structural approach is what most people imagine when they think of osteopathy. Hands-on techniques are used to move joints and massage and stretch muscles to improve the function of the body. Techniques are also used that release joints with a click (HVTs) but not as often as people might think. Certainly if there are techniques which you would rather avoid this is not a problem; osteopaths are trained in a variety of techniques which can achieve the same results.

Cranial Osteopathy
Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle form of treatment that encourages the release of stresses and tensions in the body. The name implies that cranial osteopaths only examine and treat the head and, although particular attention is paid to the head, the approach can be used on any area of the body. It is a gentle yet extremely effective approach and may be used in a wide range of conditions for people of all ages, from birth to old age.

Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm. Tension in the body disrupts the cranial rhythm. This tension can result from stresses and strains your body is under at present or has been in the past. Practitioners compare what your rhythm currently feel like to what they feel could be achieved and use gentle treatment techniques to bring your body towards a more balanced and harmonious state.

WHAT TO EXPECT

During the covid-19 pandemic Ben will be wearing full PPE during your appointment. This PPE has been stipulated by the osteopathic professional standards and includes the following:

Fluid resistant surgical mask (FRSM Type IIR)
Nitrile disposable glove
Plastic apron

These will be disposed of after each appointment

You will also be required to wear a surgical mask that will be provided.

We suggest you attend wearing sports wear that is comfortable, will not restrict movement and is not too loose fitting. It may be helpful if you are able to undress to aid assessment and treatment, however this is not necessary if you prefer not to. This will be discussed with you during your appointment to ensure you’re comfortable and informed at all times.

COVID INFO

Osteopathy appointments are available to book and are permitted under the new guidance during Lockdown 3. Clients may attend osteopathy as a medical appointment and to attend as a ‘reasonable excuse’ for leaving home.

Please note that appointments must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.

Once you have booked your appointment you will receive an automated email which will include a link to this webpage. Here you will find our 5-minute video outlining our new appointment procedures and protocols. You will need to read the section related to our covid-19 procedures and view the video before your appointment can take place.

In this section you will also find a link to download our GDPR Consent Form. If you have not filled in one of these before, please do so and email a copy to Ben before your appointment.

BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

If you are a new client to Flow or if it is not clear that your appointment is a follow-up from a previous recent consultation, it will be necessary for Ben to have a telephone call with you prior to your visit before your appointment can be confirmed. This can either be in the day before your appointment or on the day of your appointment.

DURING YOUR TELEPHONE CONSULTATION BEN WILL CONFIRM:

You have read this document and watched the video in full outlining our new appointment procedures, you understand theses procedures and the need for you to wear the surgical grade face mask which we will provided.
You have not developed symptoms in the last 7 days that might indicate an active covid-19 infection.
You are not designated to be in a group with heightened vulnerability to covid-19.
No members of your household has or has had symptoms of covid-19 or are in a high-risk category.
You have not been been in contact with someone with suspected or confirmed covid-19 in last 14 days.
You accept that, whilst we have put in place all required safeguards to mitigate the risks of infection, we cannot eliminate all risks.

YOUR TELEPHONE CONSULTATION IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS:

The issue that has necessitated your appointment
Alternative options to a face-to-face appointment such as advice over the telephone or via email or a virtual consultation using Zoom
Whether you require a chaperone. NB> It will be necessary to telephone the person acting as your chaperone for them to confirm points 1- 6 above. To allow time for this, 48 hours notice will be needed before your appointment.
Any questions you may have about the forthcoming appointment.

PROCEDURES & PROTOCOLS FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

To help us minimise the chances of contamination, please bring as little as you can with you.
Please note that we cannot provide drinks.
Whilst we do have toilet facilities onsite, it is better for your safety that this is not used. We appreciate that it may be necessary for you to use our facilities but please be aware that we will be required to fully sterilise the w/c afterwards.
Please be sure to arrive on time but not earlier for your appointment.
On street parking is available on Woodbury Park Road and the surrounding streets. Please do not park on our drive as this will block our household access.
Once you have parked, please wait for Ben to send you a text message to let you know that he is ready for you to come through to the treatment room.
On entering the Flow premises, you will be asked to use 70% alcohol hand sanitiser before putting on a surgical grade face mask which we will provide. We will then move into the treatment room.
You need to keep your face mask on throughout your appointment.
After your appointment you will be asked to dispose of your face mask using the pedal bin provided and apply hand sanitiser before leaving.
Single-use disposable paper tissues are available in the treatment room. If you need to cough, sneeze or blow your nose, please use one of these and then dispose of it in the bin provided. If you are unable to take a tissue in time, please cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
Should it be necessary for you to remove items of clothing for your treatment, we ask that you place your clothing on the plastic chair provided so that it can be wiped down afterwards.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Our full COVID-19 Risk Assessment & Mitigation document is available here.

GDPR FORM

Please download and fill in our GDPR Consent Form here.

REVIEWS

See what our clients are saying about Groombridge Osteopathy

I felt utter relief when Ben confirmed he was able to remain open and treating patients throughout Covid and the numerous lockdowns. Having suffered with long-term chronic back pain, from a herniated disc, the pain and discomfort has only worsened during this period due to home-working, stress and poor desk set up. Ben has continued to alleviate the pain and helped me manage it throughout. I’ve felt very safe visiting Flow, the safeguards they have in place are excellent and I am thankful for all they are doing, under difficult circumstances.

Emma
When I first came to Ben Parker I had acute discomfort and stiffness in my neck and shoulders; I could not move my head in any direction without suffering severe pain. Within two or three treatments I began to feel relief and the pain soon faded away. Now I see Ben every few weeks for a ‘maintenance’ session. I had never been to an osteopath before, and was doubtful as to how effective the treatment might be, but I was in so much pain, I gave it a try. Now, my pain has been remedied and the flexibility in my neck and shoulders has been restored. I am an enthusiastic convert and have no hesitation in recommending Ben Parker.

John Lloyd

OSTEOPATHY