If you are a Lloyd’s employee and you are covered by the AXA Health Insurance Policy then you can use this for some of your treatments. To arrange this, call AXA on 01892 512345 to obtain your claim reference number for treatment. There is a £75 deductible payment that is required to be paid directly to the Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre when you have your first treatment. Normally AXA will cover 10 treatments during the course of a year unless there is an existing claim.

If you have other Health Insurance policies such as…

• BUPA
• Simply Health
• Aviva
• Treatment Network

…then you can use your policy to cover some of your treatment but you are normally required to contact your GP first, and then obtain a claim number from your insurer. Once you have the claim number you can arrange your first appointment at the Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre.

If you do not have any Health Insurance, you can pay by cash, credit/debit card or cheque directly to the Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre.

• If you are a Lloyd’s employee and have AXA Health Insurance you will not need a GP referral, just contact AXA directly on 01892 512345 to obtain your claim reference number for treatment and book appointment.
• If you have other Health Insurance you will probably need a GP referral before claiming.
• If you are paying by cash, credit/debit card or cheque you do not need to see a GP beforehand.

Listening and examining. Your first appointment will last no longer than 45 minutes to an hour to allow your practitioner time to:

• Listen and ask questions about your problem, your general health, other medical care you are receiving or medication you are taking, and record this in your case notes. The information you provide will be confidential.
• Examine you properly. It is likely that your practitioner will ask you to remove some clothing so they can properly see your problem. It is advisable to have underwear that is supportive. At the Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre you will be given privacy to undress and be provided with a robe and towel if you require. You can
  also ask someone to accompany you throughout your appointment.
• Ask you to make simple movements and stretches to observe your posture and mobility. Because of the body’s structure, pain or stiffness you are experiencing in one part may be linked to a problem elsewhere;
• Examine the health of the joints, muscles and ligaments using their hands and a highly developed sense of touch called palpation.

Your practitioner will also check for signs of serious conditions they cannot treat and may advise you to see your GP or go to hospital instead. They should provide you with a letter explaining what they believe to be the problem.

Diagnosis and treatment. Your practitioner will give you a clear explanation of what they find (their diagnosis) and discuss a treatment plan that is suitable for you. They will explain the benefits and any risks of the treatment they are recommending. It is important that you understand and agree what the treatment can achieve, and the likely number of sessions needed for a noticeable improvement in how you feel.

Treatment is hands-on and involves skilled manipulation of the spine and joints, and massage of muscles, sometimes acupuncture or use of machines such as ultrasound therapy – this will all be agreed with you; your Practitioner will explain what they are doing and will always ask your permission to treat you (known as consent). Do ask questions at any time if you are unsure what you have been told or if you have any concerns.

Self-help measures and advice on exercise may be offered to assist your recovery, prevent recurrence or worsening of your condition.

It will vary, depending on many factors such as:

• The severity of your injury
• Your age
• Your lifestyle (e.g. sedentary or active)
• Your nutrition
• Previous injuries or current illnesses
• How well you follow the advice from your practitioner

Your practitioner will be able to advise you on the number of treatments they feel are appropriate when you are at your initial appointment.

We’ve created a page dedicated to this question here, but in a nutshell, both Osteopaths and Physiotherapists will help you to resolve your condition, but sometimes use different approaches to get there.

Manipulation treatment (or ‘clicking’) is generally a pain free way of releasing tension in joints, in the spine or in other areas. You may feel a little discomfort during treatment but you should then feel a ‘release’ as the joint tension decreases.

At Lloyd’s Wellbeing Centre, we use a variety of techniques – manipulation is just one of the treatments that you can chose, and there are always other options.

Let us know! The Lloyd’s Wellbeing Practitioners will always inform you of your treatment choices and you can opt for the treatment that you feel comfortable with.