I am a fully qualified Osteopath located in Bedford town centre. I also see my clients from the surrounding areas of Wilden, Kempston and Clapham. I specialise in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, using the Perrin Technique.
As a registered osteopath, I am entered on the register of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). The GOsC protects you by ensuring that osteopaths meet the required professional standards. I am also a member of the British Osteopathic Association. I participate in an on-going programme of continued learning, to ensure that my skills and knowledge are kept up-to-date.
What to Expect The first consultation lasts approximately one hour, except in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome/ME where the first consultation is for 1 hour and 20 minutes. The first consultation includes a thorough case history, which also allows you to tell me about any medical problems. It allows plenty of time for you to tell your story and to give an account of the events leading up to the problem.
After the case history, I will carry out an examination. For this you will normally be asked to undress to your underwear. The examination includes a visual inspection, an assessment of your mobility and may include a neurological or medical examination if necessary.
A hands-on assessment of the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc), combined with testing of joints is used to reach a diagnosis. This identifies which tissue has been injured and the nature of the injury. It also allows me to discover whether the painful area has become liable to injury due to problems elsewhere.
Once the examination is complete, I arrive at a diagnosis, which I explain in such a way that you can understand.
The final stage of the initial consultation is the first stage of your treatment. The time available for treatment varies according to how much time was needed for the case history and examination, but usually there will be 10-15 minutes of treatment. However in very complicated cases, treatment will start in the second consultation. Whatever the case may be, osteopathic treatment is a hands-on form of therapy and you will need to undress down to your underwear. Towels are available for those who are shy!
Follow-up sessions last about 40 minutes. At the beginning you will have the opportunity to tell me about your progress since the previous treatment. I will then re-assess you, and treat you accordingly.
There is a reduced fee for children of £36 for the initial consultation and £29 for the follow-up. I offer discounts for those who are on a limited income, and if you want to pay in advance for a course of treatment.
Testimonials Angeline Fourmy, age 33, Conference organiser “I organise large conferences oversees within a small team in a charity. As the stress of deadlines get to me sometimes, I forget to take care of myself, including my back. I went to see Sorrel after developing severe lower back pain. After a few sessions with Sorrel, my pain stopped and I felt much better.
“As well as relaxing my muscles, Sorrel gave me exercises to do and explained how to improve my posture, as well as how to sit at my desk and swim properly in order to reduce strain on my back. This was of immense help in the long-term as I got rid of bad habits which could have made more damage to my back.
“Sorrel is also a very reassuring and calming person, which helped a lot to reduce my stress levels as well as help with the back pain itself. It is really nice to be healed by someone who cares about your long-term well being as much as the immediate relief of pain.”
Valerie Swan, 67, officially retired but I work for my son “After a long distressing marriage, a very stressful job and finally a divorce, I became very tired and could sleep all day as well as night. I was very tired all the time so went to the doctor who just said it was due to long term stress and it would gradually go, but it didn't. I then saw an advertisement from Sorrel with all the symptoms I was suffering from and saying that it was probably early signs of M.E.
“Her treatment, the Perrin Technique™ involved massaging and exercises and eating the right foods, but after 3 months I felt so much better.
“I have now returned to work as I like to be busy and I go jiving with my partner two or three times a month.
“I am so glad I saw that advertisement.”
Divindra Bains, 42, Self employed “I first came to see Sorrel due to ongoing back problems following the birth of my children & lifting heavy boxes during a house move. I had seen other Osteopaths before but Sorrel was different. Sorrel used very gentle manipulative techniques to stabilise and improve my back condition. In addition she has provided me with back exercises which have helped to strengthen my back.
“Actually her knowledge extends far beyond just my back. More recently when running I damaged my achilles tendon; Sorrel gave me practical advice and treatment which helped to cure this injury.
“As a result of overworking my shoulders I suffered calcification and Sorrel's practical advice and treatment helped in alleviating that too.
“I see Sorrel a few times a year to ensure I'm looking after my back as I should.
“Quite frankly she is the best Osteopath I've worked with and would highly recommend her.”
Jason S, age 34, Teacher “I am a classroom and games teacher at a school in Bedfordshire and had suffered from back pain and poor posture for a number of years. The problems first began in the early nineties when I pinched a disc whilst carrying a heavy suitcase. Bending down to mark books and to speak to pupils added to the pain.
“I contacted Sorrel after a period of ignoring the problem due to the pressures of work. She examined my back and posture and set about relieving the pressure on certain muscles and loosening my stiff vertebrae. I welcomed the immediate relief from the tension and Sorrel made me aware of the importance of a proper posture. After a series of sessions, it became easier and less painful to exercise and since then I have been able to keep my body flexible by regular exercise.”
Viv U “When I finally plucked up the courage to seek Sorrel's help, I had been suffering from increasingly bad back pain for approximately two years. As a teacher of primary aged children, all the bending down, communicating with young children at their level, had taken its toll. My mobility was very poor and the constant pain was beginning to limit my actions.
“Despite being very apprehensive, sessions with Sorrel began to bring about noticeable improvements in my mobility and after a short while I realised that I wasn't constantly aware of pain.
“Now my situation has improved to such an extent that I can concentrate on becoming fit and have joined a gym. In my previous condition, this would have been impossible and I would have continued to head down an unhealthy spiral due to the debilitating back pain. Now with Sorrel's help, I look forward to a healthier, fitter and pain-free future.”
Stephen Marley, 40 “I work at a tree nursery, which is a physically demanding job. Four years prior to seeing Sorrel I sustained an injurty to my lower back whilst lifting a heavy tree. Initially the pain was excruciating and left me unable to move. The pain subsided but left my back aching and feeling stiff. The pain came and went over the next four years.
“Soon after the accident I went to see my G.P. and he diagnosed it as a muscle injury, prescribing anti-inflammatories. This reduced the pain partially but not completely. I went back to work but the injury re-occurred intermittently. Each time I went to see the GP, I was given a variety of diagnoses iincluding a viral cause and given more anti-inflammatories. My back got progressively worse, and had spread throughout my lower body. I went to see a physiotherapist recommended by my boss. I was given a variety of exercises and the correct diagnosis, a partially slipped disc. However these exercises did not entirely solve the problem. At this time I saw Sorrel's advert in the local paper and decided to give osteopathy a try.
“Sorrel gave me a complete check up and correctly diagnosed the problem. She suggested I should refrain from work for two weeks, to enable my spine to recover, together with the spinal manipulation, which helped to re-align my spine. The pain gradually reduced and became more localised. Sorrel suggested some precise exercises, which worked on this region very effectively. I would now say that my back has improved entirely. Considering the long term nature of my injury, I have been very impressed and surprised by the results, which have improved my quality of life considerably.”
Claire Rhys-Jones, 49, Cruse Counsellor and Reiki Practitioner “I have always been fit and active and have a great interest in health and diet. Three years ago, I was out walking in Wales and suffered severe pain in my back. By the time I got home I was in agony and my left leg had lost all sensation. At hospital I was examined, and was given anti-inflammatories and pain-killers. For two weeks I couldn't stand.
“I slowly regained a little of my fitness over the next year, but was still in pain daily and my leg was still numb. My GP told me that I would never recover. I couldn't accept this so I visited a chiropracter who tried, but could not help.
“Finally I found Sorrel's advert and booked a treatment. I saw her maybe six or seven times and she worked on the tight muscles in my back and neck. She also gently manipulated the tendons at the back of my knee where I also had pain. Each visit helped to restore my back and leg to the extent that when I stopped seeing Sorrel my back was pain-free and my leg regained about 70% of feeling. Sorrel's gentle treatments and caring attitude put me well on the way to full recovery.
“After my last visit to Sorrel I returned to Wales and victoriously climbed Snowdon! I now visit the gym every day and can swim, cycle and run with the vigour I had three years ago. Thank you Sorrel!”
Iris Haynes, 83 “I first went to see Sorrel in August 2008 as I was stooping badly when I walked, and I was also having pain in my back. It is now December 2008 and Sorrel has worked wonders. I am no longer in pain and my posture has improved greatly.”
Please feel free to contact me with any questions regarding Osteopathy Bedford. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
We always advise with any conditions, ailment or health problem you take independent medical advice from your GP before considering a complementrary therapy, alternative medicine or alternative treatment.
