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Do I need a referral?
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.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book your appointment quickly and easily through our online booking system, available 24/7 via this link. If you’d prefer to speak to someone, you’re very welcome to call us on 0203 576 5146 during clinic hours. You can also message us on WhatsApp at 07418 640401, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible to help with your booking or any questions you may have.
Do you offer same-day or urgent appointments?
Yes, we do our best to accommodate same-day and urgent appointments, subject to availability. If you need to be seen as quickly as possible, we recommend calling us directly on 0203 576 5146 so we can check our live diary and prioritise your appointment where possible.
What should I expect from my first appointment?
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.
Do you accept insurance?
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.
What treatment should I book?
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.
Do I need to be in pain to book?
What shall I wear to my appointment?
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.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
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.
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