Specialist and community clinics

Clinics for people with HIV/AIDS

The BSO provides two clinics dedicated to providing osteopathic treatment which is free for people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. The Chapman Clinic runs from our clinical centre, three days each week. Osteopathic treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS can bring improvements to quality of life by addressing the particular musculo-skeletal dysfunction they often experience. It also complements the drug therapies used to manage HIV/AIDS and may also help in coping with the side effects they can bring.

The Chapman Clinic runs three times a week (currently Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) in the BSO's clinical centre. We also run a weekly osteopathy clinic on Fridays at The Royal Free Hospital's Ian Charleson Day Centre at the Royal Free Hospital in north-west London. Treatment in both clinics is provided by osteopathic students supervised and supported by tutors who are qualified osteopaths, and who have a specialist interest in HIV/AIDS, drug therapies, associated pathologies and the musculo-skeletal presentation of HIV/AIDS.

"Lots of people think that, because there is now medication for HIV that can keep people alive you should just be grateful and get on with it, but there can still be lots of problems in dealing with HIV. The osteopathy I get is helping to keep things under control. I don't know what I would have done if this clinic had not been started: it is fantastic that my doctor steered me here."
Sally, a patient at the BSO's weekly osteopathy clinic at The Royal Free Hospital's Ian Charleson Day Centre.

For all Chapman clinic appointments please click .

The BSO's clinic for people with HIV/AIDS at the Royal Free Hospital and the BSO's Chapman Clinic are generously supported by the Peter Moores Foundation. To find out more about supporting the work of our community clinics please click here.

Clinics for babies and children

The BSO runs two clinics for babies and children, with experience of having offered specialist clinics for children for over fifty years.

In our clinical centre, Children's Clinic runs on Mondays, Wednedays and Thursdays. Many children first come to us when their mothers have a post-natal musculo-skeletal health check. Osteopathy can help children with a range of physical problems. The BSO's Children's Clinic has treated children from a few weeks old up to the age of 16 years.

This clinic is run by experienced osteopaths with a specialist interest in treating children, assisted by senior BSO students. At the first consultation a thorough case history is compiled, followed by detailed examination of your child's muscles, ligaments and joints as well as evaluating other relevant structures when necessary. Once a diagnosis is reached a detailed explanation is given and options for treatment are discussed.

For more information, please click here to download our information leaflet. To make an appointment in the Children's Clinic please click .

In addition, we run an off-site clinic at 1st Place Parents' and Children's Centre near Southwark's Aylesbury Estate, which provides services on Thursdays for children from birth to five years of age. This clinic aims to help the children of local families with a range of physical problems.

Bookings for appointments at 1st Place are made via the centre.

Clinics for pregnant women

The BSO has run an Expectant Mothers' Clinic since 1980, and currently runs sessions in our clinical centre on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Many women experience back pain during pregnancy. Osteopathy can help with this and many other problems associated with pregnancy such as leg pains, pelvic pain and pain and tension in the neck and shoulders. Treatment is safe for you and your baby.

Many expectant mothers come to us for treatment of problems caused by changes of posture or weight as well as previous musculoskeletal problems. Postnatal appointments can, for example, evaluate how your musculoskeletal system is functioning. Treatment and advice can be given to support you in returning to normal function.

For more information, please click here to download our information leaflet. To make an appointment in the Expectant Mothers' Clinic please click .

Clinics for people with sports injuries

The Sports Clinic runs on Thursdays, treating professional athletes, committed amateurs and gym, fitness and keep-fit enthusiasts.

Osteopathy helps people who enjoy sport at all levels of involvement with joint pain; muscular aches, pains, strains, pulls; back pain; preparation for big events; stiffness and tension; managing problem areas and enhancing stretching regimes. This clinic is also suitable for dancers, actors and other professional performers.

Osteopathy is effective for the treatment and management of sport- and fitness-related injuries. It can help to alleviate the immediate symptoms of the injury and help the patient manage their recovery and return back to active participation in sport.

Osteopaths can work with the athlete in relation to their performance and long-term training goals. Osteopaths look at the relationship between muscle, limb and spine function, the potential underlying cause of symptoms and your lifestyle. By appreciating how these factors may interact they can make adjustments and recommendations to help prevent injury and help you achieve your goals safely.

The BSO's Sports Clinic has provided osteopaths to support participants in major sporting events such as the London Marathon.

For more information, please click here to download our information leaflet. To make an appointment in the Sports Clinic please click .

Clinics for homeless people

The BSO has a long tradition of providing osteopathy for homeless people, and has run a weekly clinic on Wednesdays at the Manna Centre, London Bridge since 1998. Erratic and rough sleeping lifestyles have huge impacts on the body. Psychological and social interaction benefits may also be obtained.

Garry, 58, has been living rough on and off for the last 15 years. He suffered head, leg and shoulder injuries when run over by a car some years ago while sleeping rough. "After the accident I couldn't move my shoulder at all. I had a limp too – it was like one leg was shorter than the other" says Garry. In the four years that he has been regularly attending the BSO's weekly osteopathy outreach clinic at the Manna Centre, he has achieved complete movement in his shoulder and completed the 2007 London Marathon for the homeless charity Crisis, raising £2,500.

Appointments at the Manna Clinic are on a drop in basis, via the Manna Centre.

Clinics for older people

The BSO runs weekly osteopathy clinics on Wednesdays for older people at Lucy Brown House and Darwin Court in Southwark. At Lucy Brown House, residents receive osteopathic care in their own homes. Osteopathic treatment is also offered to older people, both resident and non-resident, at the Peabody Trust's Darwin Court. Teams of BSO tutors and students working in these clinics aim to help relieve the symptoms of a range of musculo-skeletal conditions associated with the ageing process, predominantly wear and tear, rheumatic pains and osteoarthritis.

"I've been coming for treatment for back pain for several weeks now. I picked up a leaflet about it from the reception desk and I'm pleased I did. I feel the benefit when I've had a treatment: I'm always more mobile when I come out. I've also introduced another lady who has been suffering with her neck. It's a good service: it's free, and they are a very nice, friendly team."
Annie, 82, a patient at the BSO's outreach osteopathy clinic at Darwin Court.

Appointments at Darwin Court and Lucy Brown House are on a drop in basis, arranged via the clinic team.

Clinic for NHS patients

Since 1999 the BSO has an osteopathic clinic at the East Street GP surgery which provides primary health care services for an area off the Old Kent Road in Southwark with very high rates of poverty and social exclusion. Patients are referred to this clinic by their GP or the practice nurse.

The clinic has expanded to two days a week (Thursdays and Fridays) due to demand, and provides treatment which is free to patients for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Many of the patients are chronic pain patients with complex and challenging sets of health problems and issues. The BSO teams working at this clinic aim to help with the management of long-term conditions.

Appointments at East Street are booked by the practice.