What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a regulated healthcare profession focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal issues. It uses a biopsychosocial approach that looks beyond symptoms, considering how mental health, social environment, lifestyle, and personal circumstances affect your wellbeing.

Osteopaths create personalized treatment plans addressing the whole person—not just pain—helping remove barriers to recovery and promote lasting health. As fully trained Allied Health Professionals in the UK, osteopaths work closely with doctors and healthcare teams to provide expert musculoskeletal care.

Common Conditions Treated with Osteopathy

  • Acute and chronic neck and back pain or stiffness

  • Sports Injuries (e.g. sprains/strains)

  • Headaches

  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (jaw pain)

  • Sciatica

  • Shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand pain or stiffness

  • Hip, knee, ankle, and foot pain or stiffness

  • Pelvic and sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction

  • General joint and muscle pain or stiffness

  • Chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome

Two people using a green resistance band, one wearing a white shirt and the other in a black shirt with a watch.

What does Osteopathic care include?

Chiropractor adjusting a patient's shoulder jointly

Osteopathic treatment uses hands-on techniques to relieve pain, reduce tension, and restore movement, such as:

  • Joint articulation & mobilization

  • Soft tissue massage & release

  • Muscle energy & fascial release techniques

Treatment is usually gentle and relaxing, though mild discomfort may occur on sensitive areas. Each consultation is tailored based on your condition and the latest evidence, which means sometimes not every consultation will include hands-on treatment.

One of osteopathy's fundamental strengths lies in its comprehensive scope—treatment encompasses:

Personalized exercise rehabilitation programs

Comprehensive lifestyle guidance covering diet, sleep, stress management, and ergonomics.

Education and support to help you understand your condition and take an active role in your recovery.

Preventive care strategies

A comprehensive, evidence-based osteopathic care plan combines all of these treatments to address your unique needs, values, and goals.

Person wearing black gloves holding a foot

Verity’s Special Osteopathic Interests

  • Silhouette of a person running at sunset on a rocky landscape.

    Osteopathic care for sports and movement-related injuries

    Verity helps active individuals across Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, and Sevenoaks recover faster and return to the activities they love.

    Injury Prevention & Performance
    - Pre-competition preparation
    - Post-event recovery
    - Injury prevention strategies

    Injury Treatment & Rehab
    - Acute sports injury assessment
    - Rehab plans for recurring or long-term issues
    - Return-to-sport support
    - Scar tissue therapy to improve mobility and reduce discomfort from previous sports injuries or post-surgical scars, supporting a smoother return to activity.

    Conditions Treated
    Sport-specific shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hip, knee, ankle & foot injuries
    Tendinopathies (e.g., Achilles, patellar)
    Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
    Pre- and post-surgical rehab

  • Three silhouetted figures standing on a hilltop at sunset, with an expansive view of a valley and distant mountains.

    Osteopathy & Women's Health

    Verity Kelsey is passionate about providing compassionate osteopathic care for women’s health, supporting individuals across Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Tunbridge Wells through all stages of life. She offers a safe, inclusive space for those seeking support with a range of women’s health-related concerns, including:

    Pain Management: Using gentle manual therapy techniques to address menstrual pain, pelvic discomfort, and menopausal joint stiffness

    Pelvic Health: Supporting those experiencing pelvic floor dysfunction through targeted exercises and manual treatment

    Scar tissue therapy to support recovery from C-section scars, laparoscopic or abdominal surgery, and breast surgery—helping reduce pain, improve mobility, and restore comfort.

    Holistic Care: Addressing broader aspects of women's health including stress management, lifestyle changes, and nutritional guidance

    Exercise rehabilitation: Tailored exercises to strengthen muscles, enhance posture, and improve mobility

    Inclusive Approach to creating a safe, supportive environment for all individuals seeking women's health-related care

  • Rainbow flag with six horizontal stripes in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.

    LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Healthcare

    Verity chose the name Oaks & Folks Osteopathy to reflect her commitment to providing equitable healthcare in a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and respected. She is dedicated to offering the LGBTQIA+ community competent, affirming care.

    Drawing from her experience at the specialist Trans osteopathic clinic at UCO London, she offers:

    Culturally competent musculoskeletal care for transgender and non-binary individuals

    Gender-affirming approach to healthcare

    Inclusive language and documentation that respects your identity

    Understanding of specific health considerations and concerns

    Compassionate care in scar tissue therapy

    Every patient receives individualized care that honours their unique journey, experiences, and needs. Verity maintains the highest standards of professionalism while creating a supportive environment where you can feel confident discussing your health concerns.

Important Notice

At present, I do not provide treatment for pregnant individuals or children under the age of 18.

These groups have specialized healthcare needs that require additional training and expertise. I am committed to furthering my professional development in these areas and hope to expand my services in the future to include pregnancy and pediatric care. If you are pregnant or seeking treatment for someone under 18, I would be happy to refer you to qualified practitioners who specialize in these areas.

What to expect during your visit?

  • During your first visit, I'll take a detailed case history covering your current concerns and overall health background. We'll discuss your work, sleep, stress, diet, values, and beliefs. This thorough approach helps me create a personalised treatment plan and determine if you need additional medical support. Keep in mind that I may not always provide hands-on treatment in the first consultation—this depends on your condition's complexity and what current evidence suggests would be most effective.

    The examination includes observing your movements, performing hands-on assessment with guided movements based on your history, and conducting clinical tests when needed (neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, or orthopedic). These tests may briefly reproduce your symptoms to help form a working diagnosis. I'll explain everything beforehand and ensure your comfort throughout.

    After the examination, I'll share my findings and explain your working diagnosis, including potential underlying causes. Together, we'll review treatment options, discussing benefits, risks, and alternatives. I'll provide clear information to help you make informed decisions about your care. Through collaborative planning, we'll create an evidence-informed treatment approach that addresses the key factors affecting your condition while aligning with your personal goals and values.

  • Follow-up appointments focus on reviewing progress and adjusting care as needed. These sessions blend hands-on treatment with rehab exercises, personalised advice and educational support. If your specific condition requires a course of treatment, you may need several appointments scheduled closer together initially to make progress before spacing them out. I will never ask you to pay upfront for multiple sessions.

  • Your comfort and dignity are my top priorities. While athletic wear or form-fitting shorts make examination and treatment easier, I respect all cultural, religious, and personal preferences regarding modesty and will adapt my examination and treatment techniques to work effectively while you remain fully clothed.

  • Before any examination or treatment, I'll explain what I recommend and why, including potential risks and benefits. I'll provide clear information to help you make informed decisions about your care. I only proceed with your explicit consent and check regularly that you're comfortable. You can pause or stop treatment at any time, and I'll adjust my approach to suit your needs.

  • If your condition requires different expertise, I'll refer you to a more suitable healthcare provider. I screen for red flags during sessions and will refer you to appropriate care when needed, such as your GP, A&E or other health professionals.

If you have any questions or concerns about your appointment, please get in touch. I'm always happy to explain how our sessions work and help ease any worries you might have about your visit.