OSTEOPATHY
OSTEOPATHY IN CHELTENHAM
LOOKING BEYOND THE SYMPTOMS TO FIND AND TREAT THE PROBLEM, WITH THE AIM OF GETTING YOU PAIN FREE & BACK TO DOING THE THINGS you USED TO DO WITHOUT THINKING TWICE.
Back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, migraines or stiffness can affect far more than just how you move. Our osteopaths use hands-on treatment to reduce pain, restore movement and help you feel like yourself again. (Yes, it is possible!).
Every treatment is tailored to you, combining hands-on osteopathy with practical advice and rehabilitation where appropriate.
Central Cheltenham · On-site parking · Day, evening and weekend appointments
“Rod is amazing! I have been to a few osteo’s in my time and he is the one!”
★★★★★ Google Review
NOT SURE IF OSTEOPATHY
IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Tell us what’s troubling you and we’ll advise whether osteopathy may be suitable for your needs and let you know the likely cost.
DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
Back or neck pain that keeps returning?
Tight shoulders or tension from stress?
Pain caused by posture or desk work?
Sciatica or nerve-related discomfort?
Sports injuries or muscle tightness?
Joint stiffness affecting daily life?
Headaches linked to tension?
Old injuries that never fully settled?
Feeling restricted, tight or out of balance?
What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a hands-on approach to treating pain, stiffness and problems with movement. But it’s not simply about treating the area that hurts.
Osteopaths assess joints, muscles, posture and movement to understand how different parts of the body may be influencing the problem. Treatment can include joint mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, stretching and other hands-on techniques, alongside exercise and rehabilitation advice.
Your osteopath looks at how your body moves and works as a whole, helping to identify what may be contributing to the problem, and, importantly, what we can do about it.
The goal? To get you from where you are to pain-free and help you stay that way long term.
WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR OSTEOPATHY APPOINTMENT?
Your osteopath will start by listening to what’s been happening, your medical history and what you’d like to get back to doing be it sport less stiff or simply moving like you used to.
They’ll then assess your movement in depth, joints and muscles to help understand what may be causing or contributing to the problem.
They’ll explain what they find, answer your questions and discuss the best way forward. Where appropriate, treatment will usually begin at your first appointment.
No rushed appointments. No one-size-fits-all treatment. Just care tailored to you.
Meet Our Osteopaths
We focus on creating a supportive environment where patients feel listened to, understood and confident in their recovery plan. Our osteopaths have different areas of experience and approaches to treatment, so you can find the person who feels right for you.
Ru Halwani
Ru is hugely popular with her patients and particularly skilled at helping with complex or long-standing problems. Her warm, holistic approach and determination to understand the bigger picture have made her a much-loved osteopath at Hands On.
Andy Hoskins
Andy is a highly experienced osteopath who has worked at an unusually high level within the NHS. You’ll be in very capable hands with his considerable clinical experience, combining skilled hands-on treatment with a practical, thoughtful approach to recovery.
Oscar Marcus
Oscar is a very capable and versatile osteopath with a calm, reassuring manner. Particularly good with nervous or apprehensive patients, he takes things at your pace and has a wide range of treatment skills to draw upon. Weekend appointments with Oscar are available.
Rod Gillingham
Rod is an exceptionally accomplished osteopath who has owned and run his own successful clinics in the North of England. A true master of his craft, he combines a wealth of clinical experience with outstanding hands-on skills and a warm, reassuring manner.
What Our patients Say
“I went to Hands On Wellbeing, after having a friend share her wonderful experience. I booked an appointment with Ru, thinking that this appointment would be able to help with some muscle tension that had been bothering me. Not only did my appointment with Ru help significantly with my tension we talked about how I had on onset of Bell's Palsy 6 years ago and still struggled with the after effects. After three sessions six years later my face looks more symmetrical than it has in years!
Ru truly has a gift, she is so knowledgeable and she is such an incredible person. She truly has a healing touch! I feel better than I have in a long time!”
“Rod is amazing! I have been to a few osteo’s in my time and he is the one! Rod uses a variety of skilled techniques that suit your body which creates smoother adjustments. My posture and body movement has improved significantly and his duty of care is second to none. He is the best !!!”
“Professional, knowledgeable and incredibly caring throughout the whole process.”
“I am currently in treatment for Achilles tendinitis and I would highly recommend. I had 2 sessions of acupuncture and laser therapy, tailored advice for exercises. Very professional and caring practitioner, lovely facilities and welcoming reception. Excellent!”
Frequently Asked Questions
DO I NEED A REFERRAL?
No. You can book directly with one of our osteopaths without seeing your GP first.
WHAT WILL MY OSTEOPATH ASSESS?
They may assess your posture, movement, joints and muscles, not just the area that hurts. Where appropriate, this can include orthopaedic or neurological tests to help build a clearer picture of what’s causing the problem.
WHAT DOES TREATMENT INVOLVE?
Depending on what they find, treatment may include soft-tissue techniques, joint mobilisation, stretching or manipulation, alongside exercise and rehabilitation advice. Where appropriate, treatment may also include Shockwave Therapy or MLS Laser Therapy. Treatment will always be adapted to you.
WILL I BE TREATED AT MY FIRST APPOINTMENT?
Yes, unless they find medical reason not to. After your assessment, your osteopath will explain what they’ve found and, where appropriate, begin treatment straight away.
IS OSTEOPATHY PAINFUL?
Treatment is adapted to your comfort level. If you’re nervous or apprehensive, tell us and we’ll take things at your pace.
HOW MANY SESSIONS WILL I NEED — AND WHAT IF I’VE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR YEARS?
Everyone is different. Your osteopath will discuss this after assessing you and give you a clear plan. And don’t be put off if you’ve had the problem for a long time, it doesn’t necessarily mean nothing can be done.
Wherever possible, the aim is to get you pain free, and keep you that way.
Ready to see what’s possible?
Hands On Wellbeing
32 Portland Street
Cheltenham
GL52 2PB
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The osteopathic process:
FIRST VISIT
Your first visit is similar to an initial visit to a GP. A complete medical history is taken and questions asked about lifestyle, diet and emotional status. The osteopath will want to hear about all symptoms, as well as details of any past accidents or traumas, even if they may seem unrelated to your current problem. After this initial observation, you'll be diagnosed and given a treatment program.
OBSERVATION
Your osteopath will observe how you use your body, identify any obvious mobility impairment and evaluate posture. Neurological and orthopaedic tests help conditions to be eliminated and to locate points of restriction or excessive strain in various parts of the body. Using a finely tuned sense of touch or palpation, your spine, joints, muscles and tendons will also be assessed.
HOW MANY VISITS
Our osteopaths can often help resolve issues in one session, but more serious cases can take 4-6 visits, prescribing essential exercises to better guide the body to full health.
OSTEOPATHS HELP MORE THAN YOU WOULD THINK
It’s not just aches in the head, back, neck, heel and foot pain, but also sciatica, shin splints, tennis elbow, repetitive strain injury, asthma, arthritis, digestive problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash and postural problems.
SOONER THAN LATER
Early diagnosis and treatment means less cost physically, emotionally and financially. Making changes to your lifestyle now could avoid potentially serious future issues.