Osteopathy
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment, focusing on the relationship between the body’s structure and its function. By identifying and addressing any imbalances, osteopaths help improve overall health and wellbeing.
Osteopaths use a range of safe and effective manual techniques to treat each patient, tailored to their individual needs. These techniques can vary from gentle cranial methods to high-velocity joint manipulations. Treatment often includes work on muscles and soft tissues, such as stretching and massage.
Who Can Benefit from Osteopathy?
Osteopathic treatment can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including:
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Babies and children
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Expectant mothers
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Athletes (sports men and women)
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Labourers and manual workers
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Office workers
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The elderly
Our treatments are personalized to suit your unique needs, and we strive to meet both your physical and emotional health goals.
Regulation and Professional Standards
Osteopathy is a regulated profession in the UK. All osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). To maintain their registration, osteopaths are required to engage in continuous professional development, which includes attending courses, self-study, and peer reviews. This ensures that their skills and knowledge are in line with the latest research and best practices in the field.
What to Expect?
Your First Consultation:
During your first visit, your osteopath will take the time to conduct a comprehensive consultation. We’ll discuss the main reason for your appointment, as well as your general health, lifestyle, and medical history.
What to Expect:
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Duration: The consultation will typically last between 30-45 minutes.
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Case History: We’ll ask questions about your symptoms and any relevant health issues. This helps us understand your situation and tailor our approach.
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Examination: If needed, an examination may follow the discussion. Depending on the area of concern, you may be asked to undress to your underwear. If you prefer, you can wear soft shorts and a vest for your comfort.
After the examination, we’ll share our findings and discuss the most appropriate treatment. In most cases, treatment can be provided during the first session.
Follow-up Sessions:
Based on your condition, we will recommend a plan for follow-up treatments. Your osteopath will discuss how many sessions may be needed and will schedule your next appointment accordingly.
Massage Therapy
Massage is a therapeutic technique that involves the manipulation of soft tissues and stretching to promote muscle relaxation, improve flexibility, and aid in tissue healing. It’s an effective treatment for injury recovery, pain relief, and stress reduction, benefiting both the body and the mind.
Benefits of Massage:
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Injury Recovery: Helps speed up healing and reduce pain after injury.
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Stress Relief: A great way to relax and reduce tension.
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Improved Flexibility: Promotes muscle lengthening and joint mobility.
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Wellbeing Maintenance: Many people find regular massage beneficial for maintaining overall health and performance, especially for athletes and active individuals.
Whether you’re seeking regular massage for stress relief, injury recovery, or to optimize your physical performance, it’s a wonderful therapy for both the body and the mind.
Referral Network:
At our clinic, we work closely with a network of skilled massage therapists. If appropriate, we can refer you to one of our trusted massage specialists to complement your osteopathic treatment.
Children and Babies
During birth, babies are exposed to significant forces as they pass through the birth canal. While nature has designed them to cope remarkably well, some babies may experience strain in their bones, muscles, and joints. This can be more pronounced in cases where there are complications during labour, such as the use of forceps or ventouse, long or rapid deliveries, or when an emergency caesarean section is required.
How Osteopathy Can Help:
Osteopathy offers a safe, gentle, and effective way to relieve tension in the skull, spine, and joints that may arise from the birth process. Cranial osteopathic techniques, along with very gentle structural methods, can be used to address a range of symptoms and help babies recover from any strains caused during birth.
What to Expect After Treatment:
After treatment, babies often feel relaxed and may be a little tired. It’s common for some babies to take a few days to fully settle into the changes brought on by the treatment. Overall, osteopathic care can help babies feel more comfortable and improve their well-being as they grow.
Infant Feeding Support
Whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to get everything just right. Gemma, one of our experienced osteopaths, is a trained Infant Feeding Coach and is here to support you on your feeding journey.
This service is available as part of an Osteopathic Assessment or as a standalone consultation. Gemma can assist you with:
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Overcoming Pain: Guidance on alleviating discomfort during breastfeeding.
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Optimal Feeding Position: Helping you find a comfortable and effective feeding position for both you and your baby.
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Tongue Function Assessment: If appropriate, Gemma can assess your baby’s tongue function to ensure effective feeding.
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Bottle Feeding & Expressing: Offering expert advice on bottle-feeding techniques and expressing breast milk.
Whether you’re experiencing challenges or simply want to optimize your feeding routine, Gemma is here to help make the experience smoother and more comfortable for both you and your baby.
Meet the Team
Gemma Horne BSc (Hons) Ost, D.O. IFC
Osteopath, Infant Feeding Coach and Tongue-Tie Assessor
Gemma graduated from the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) in 2010 and has since built a wealth of experience working in busy clinics across Kent, Surrey, and Essex. She is fully registered with the General Osteopathic Counciland a proud member of the Institute of Osteopathy.
Gemma treats a diverse range of patients, from newborn babies and children to pre- and post-natal women, as well as men and women dealing with postural and work-related complaints. She has also completed postgraduate training with Stuart McGregor at the OCA, which has allowed her to expand her practice to include treating horses and dogs with osteopathy.
Before pursuing her osteopathic career, Gemma worked as a veterinary nurse in a busy small animal clinic in Kent. As Head Nurse, she led various health clinics for pets, sparking a broader interest in overall health and wellbeing for both animals and people.
Special Interests & Expertise:
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Gemma has a particular passion for treating babies and children, as well as supporting mothers throughout pregnancy. She believes that the health and wellbeing of a mother during pregnancy can significantly impact the labour and early days of motherhood. Her goal is to ensure new mothers experience a comfortable pregnancy and feel empowered with self-care knowledge.
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Infant Feeding Support: As a trained Infant Feeding Coach, Gemma provides support for both bottle and breastfeeding parents. She offers guidance on positioning, pain relief, and baby’s tongue function.
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Tongue-Tie Assessment: Gemma is an Accredited Tongue-Tie Assessor, able to assess babies for tongue-tie and refer them for private treatment if necessary.
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Prenatal Advice: Gemma offers expert prenatal advice to help expectant parents prepare for the arrival of their baby.
Outside of work, Gemma has always been an avid horse rider, owning horses since the age of 10 and competing in county-level showing circuits as a teenager. Now, much of her time is spent with her two young children. Gemma is also a partner at Hever Health Ltd.
Email: gemma@oxted-osteopathy.co.uk
Connor Reid M.Ost
Osteopath
Connor is a recent graduate of the European School of Osteopathy (ESO), bringing a fresh and up-to-date approach to patient care. With over five years of experience as a massage therapist and two years of hands-on osteopathic practice in the university clinic, he has treated a wide variety of complaints, ranging from mild to severe.
Connor’s background in massage therapy has provided him with a deep understanding of soft tissue work, body mechanics, and the importance of a patient-centred approach. These skills have seamlessly integrated into his osteopathic practice, enriching his ability to deliver effective, tailored treatments.
Connor’s Path to Osteopathy:
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After leaving school in 2016, Connor worked as a Lifeguard in Sevenoaks before pursuing a Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification.
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He expanded his expertise in 2019 by earning a Level 3 Personal Training and Sports Massage qualification, transitioning from leisure centre work to a full-time role as a Massage Therapist in 2020.
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In 2021, Connor began his degree in Osteopathy, continuing to work part-time as a therapist.
Approach to Treatment:
Connor combines his extensive knowledge from both fitness and massage therapy to create personalized treatment and management plans for each patient. His goal is to reduce symptoms, improve mobility, and restore function to the affected areas.
With a keen interest in sports—especially rugby—Connor understands firsthand the strains and demands that various physical activities place on the body. Having been treated by different physical therapy disciplines throughout his teenage years and into adulthood, he is now honoured to return the favour by offering his skills and knowledge to help others recover and thrive.
Paul Moody
Osteopath
Paul is a registered Osteopath with over 30 years of experience in the field. He is particularly passionate about health and wellbeing, focusing on the interconnectedness of the body’s physical, mental, and internal functions.
Paul’s career journey is unique. After completing his A-Levels, he joined the Devon and Cornwall Police as a beat officer, later spending time as a Coroner’s Officer and a Traffic Officer. After eight and a half years in law enforcement, Paul decided to pursue a new path and studied Osteopathy at the British School of Osteopathy in London, qualifying in 1991. He has since built a distinguished career in osteopathic practice, and he is registered with the General Osteopathic Council.
Paul is a proud member of Hever Castle Golf Club and is a partner at Hever Health Ltd, where he continues to offer his expertise in osteopathy.
Important Update:
As of September 2025, Paul will no longer be practicing at Ingledale. However, he will continue to treat his patients at Hever Health, and appointments can be booked directly there. If you’re unable to visit Hever, treatments are still available at Ingledale through Connor or Gemma.
Email: paul.ingledale@gmail.com
Prices
Osteopathy
New Patient- 30-45 minutes session time dependent on practitioner.
Osteopathy
Routine Treatment- 30 minutes average session time depending on practitioner.