Your first appointment is all about understanding you - your symptoms, your health background, and your goals. We’ll begin with a detailed chat about your medical history and current concerns, followed by a physical assessment to help identify what’s contributing to your issue.

Once we’ve established a diagnosis or working hypothesis, your practitioner will explain their findings and discuss the best treatment approach for you. Treatment is usually included in your first session and may involve hands-on techniques such as soft tissue work, joint mobilisation, or exercise-based rehabilitation.

We’ll always make sure you understand what we’re doing and why, and you’ll leave with practical advice on how to support your recovery at home.

Absolutely not. At Bodysmiths, our priority is helping you get back to your best - not selling unnecessary sessions. Your practitioner will always be honest about what they believe you need, whether that’s one appointment or a short course of treatment.

We’ll discuss your goals together and create a plan that suits you, your lifestyle, and your budget. You’ll never be pressured to rebook - just supported with clear guidance so you can make an informed choice about your care.

We understand how frustrating it can be when pain keeps coming back. At Bodysmiths, we look beyond the surface to find and treat the root cause of your symptoms - not just where it hurts. Our practitioners combine hands-on treatment with movement education, rehabilitation exercises, and lifestyle advice to create lasting change.

We also take time to explain what’s happening in your body, so you leave with the tools and confidence to manage your health between sessions. It’s a collaborative approach - we work with you, not just on you.

If you’re unsure which treatment to book, it depends on what you’d like to achieve.

Osteopathy is best if you’re experiencing joint, back, or musculoskeletal pain - it focuses on identifying and treating the root cause using hands-on techniques and movement-based rehabilitation.

Remedial massage is ideal for relieving muscle tension, tightness, or postural strain, helping to ease discomfort and improve recovery.

Acupuncture can be used to reduce pain, calm inflammation, and promote healing by stimulating the body’s natural repair processes - it’s often combined with other treatments for lasting results.

Our women’s health service supports issues related to pregnancy, postnatal recovery, pelvic floor health, and hormonal changes, including specialist assessments such as the Mummy MOT.

If your pain or performance issues stem from how you move, a biomechanical assessment can analyse your posture, gait, and movement patterns to identify and correct imbalances.

Not sure where to start? Many new patients begin with osteopathy or remedial massage, and your practitioner will guide you if another treatment would be more suitable.

Recovery time varies from person to person and depends on the nature of your injury, how long you’ve had it, and your overall health and lifestyle.

At Bodysmiths, we’ll give you a realistic idea of what to expect after your initial assessment and review your progress at each session. Our goal is always to help you recover as quickly and safely as possible - not just to relieve symptoms, but to address the underlying cause so the problem doesn’t return.

You’ll also receive advice and exercises to support your recovery between appointments and speed up your long-term results.

Not at all. You don’t need to be in pain to book an appointment. Many people come to Bodysmiths for preventative care, to improve posture, enhance performance, or simply keep their body moving well. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing ongoing tension, or just want to stay proactive about your health, our practitioners can tailor treatment to your goals. Think of it as maintenance for your body - not just a fix when something goes wrong.

Yes - we work with several major private health insurers, including AXA, Aviva, Cigna, WPA, and Vitality. If you’re covered by one of these providers, you can usually claim for your treatment at Bodysmiths. We recommend checking your policy details before booking, as requirements can vary - for example, you may need a GP referral or a pre-authorisation code.

Please note that AXA appointments are billed directly, while all other insurance providers require patients to pay upfront and claim back the cost from their insurer. Once you have your authorisation, simply provide us with your policy details, and we’ll guide you through the process.

We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows your practitioner to move and assess your body easily. For treatments like osteopathy, remedial massage, or acupuncture, you may be asked to partially undress so the area being treated is accessible - you’ll always be draped appropriately for your comfort and privacy.

Sportswear, shorts, or leggings and a t-shirt usually work best, and if you’re having any gym-based assessments or movement testing, please bring suitable gym wear and trainers so you can move freely.

No, you don’t need a GP referral to book an appointment at Bodysmiths. You can self-refer for any of our services, whether it’s osteopathy, remedial massage, women’s health, acupuncture, or a biomechanical assessment.

However, if you plan to claim through some private medical insurance providers, they may require a GP referral - so it’s worth checking your policy before booking.

Appointment length depends on the treatment and your individual needs:

• Osteopathy: Initial consultations are usually 45 or 60 minutes (except for AXA patients, which are 30 minutes). Follow-ups can be 30, 45, or 60 minutes.

• Biomechanical Assessments & Women’s Health: 75 minutes.

• Remedial Massage: 30, 60, or 90 minutes.

• Acupuncture: Initial appointments are 45 minutes, with follow-ups around 30 minutes.

Your practitioner will always ensure there’s enough time to assess your concerns and provide effective treatment.

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible.

You can call us on 0203 576 5146 or email info@bodysmithsclinic.com.

Giving us advance notice helps us offer the appointment slot to another patient and allows us to manage our schedule efficiently.

Please note: we have a 24 hour cancellation policy in place.