Frequently asked questions

• What are your clinic opening times?

  We are open six days week (Mon to Sat) with both early appointments and late appointments available. On Saturday we are open from 8.30 am until 1 pm. Reception is available from 9am-6pm Monday-Thursday and 9am- 3 pm Friday with lunch 1-2 pm. Please be aware early and late appointments book up very fast. Therefore, at times , there may be a short wait for these slots. We are still carrying out on-line screening and assessments for those considered at higher risk or simply cannot get to the clinic. This has worked well as we able to diagnose the issue, start off the rehabilitation and plan the treatment ahead. All our therapy team still wear the appropriate PPE until informed otherwise. Patients who are coming for in-house treatments we ask you to read the following:

• Which therapist should i see ?

  We have a variety of highly qualified therapists specialising in different treatment methods and who often combine therapies to achieve the best results. Please contact the reception team who if you are unsure who would be most suitable therapist to treat your individual needs.

  We expect most conditions will find treatment effective after only a few sessions , however, this may depend on several variables, such as how long you have had the problem for , and which tissue is affected (e.g an injured disc causing sciatica would be expected to take longer to heal than a muscle).

• What happens on your first appointment?

  We ask you to complete a simple but thorough questionnaire on your medical history and details of your injury. We then assess your posture and movement patterns and carry out appropriate special tests which may include nerve tests, orthopaedic tests, mobility, flexibility and strength tests. We ask you to wear appropriate clothing to allow full assessment of your injury, but are sensitive to your needs and if necessary, can treat through light clothing. We will explain our findings to you and treat according to what we find.

  Our treatment consists of the most up to date techniques and can include: soft tissue massage, joint/nerve mobilization, joint/spinal manipulation/adjustments and electrotherapy e.g. ultrasound and laser. The method of treatment depends on the clinical diagnosis. We also prescribe appropriate rehabilitation exercises which are an important tool for recovery. If we believe further tests are needed we will refer you to the appropriate person.

• How long is each appointment?

  The first appointment with an osteopath or physiotherapist will take approximately 30-45 minutes which you will also need to fill out a confidential medical form. Any follow-up treatments will be allocated 20-30 minutes which is important and valuable to our clients, as this allows enough time for treatment (if necessary), client questions and further planning.

  Massage treatments are 30 minutes and 60 minutes please allow yourself time to get ready and dressed within this time. Aim to be ready and more massage you get.

• Do you provide X-rays / MRI scans?

  In most cases of musculoskeletal conditions X-rays and MRI scans are not usually necessary. However if we do feel you will benefit from these services we will always liaise with your doctor or consultant where appropriate or refer you privately. We do offer a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging service which allows us to diagnose many soft conditions such as muscle and tendon injury.

• Do we prescribe drugs?

  We are not trained to prescribe drugs and often find that pain can be eased and managed using hot and cold treatment gels and sprays. If we find that pain cannot be eased we will liaise with your doctor or consultant as appropriate.

• Do I need a G.P. referral?

  We receive regular referrals from local doctors although this is not necessary in order to have an appointment. With your permission we can keep your doctor informed of your progress and if needed give details of your treatment. Privately insured patients may need to see their GP for a referral. Please contact us for further information.

• Do you have to do sport to have a sports massage?

  Sports massage is not just for sports participants but for anyone who is experiencing muscle aches and discomfort brought on from activities such as building work, DIY, gardening and bringing up young children. It is also ideal for people whose jobs require little physical activity such as long distance drivers or sitting at a desk for the majority of the working day.

• Is the clinic registered with insurance companies?

  We are registered with most of major insurance companies (BUPA , AXA PPP , AVIVA , WPA , CIGNA WESTFIELD etc) . Please call us to discuss as different treatments are covered by different insurers. We will then advise you to contact your insurance company for authorisation and to discuss whether you have an excess amount on your policy otherwise you may get an unexpected bill. We require your membership number and authorisation code if you would like us to send your invoice directly to your insurance company.

  BUPA Physiotherapy provider number which covers all our physiotherapists 80010734
  AXA PPP Physiotherapy provider number which covers all our physiotherapists ZZo1667/1050376

• Is there parking at the clinic?

  We provide free parking on - site. However, at our busiest times, parking is at a premium. Therefore, we recommend arriving in good time to ascertain the parking availability. If spaces are limited , there are several local places to park (some with a small charge and others with a time restriction). we would be grateful if all clients using the car park drive in and out of the clinic slowly.

• What is your cancellation policy?

  Any missed or late cancellations outside of 24 hours will be subject to the full treatment cost. late cancellations and missed appointments are frustrating for our team as this limits the treatment we want to provide and prevents us from accommodating other patients who want to be seen. We appreciate that some will occasionally miss/forget/cancel appointments for genuine/unforeseen reasons , however , we ask clients to understand and respect that late cancellations and no shows often means our therapists will not be paid for that session and that our have fixed costs stay the same and are also affected. We have a 24-hour answering machine service, so all messages will be picked up even if you call out of hours. We also have an email address (info@teambuckley.co.uk) which you can send us a message.

• Do we offer work experience ?

  Currently we have a waiting list for students wanting to observe at the clinic. Unfortunately at this time we are unable to offer any further opportunities and will update this page when more places become available.