Reviews

Having had a low back problem for 10 years I had been developing chronic low back pain during the last six months. Without realising I had also been developing a stooped posture. On some days the pain was very bad and I had problems getting out of a chair and even standing up straight. After only one session with Tom I felt considerably better. After my second session a relative commented that I looked taller. She said I had lost my stoop and I was standing my full height again. Wonderful. My pain has gone and I feel much better in myself. I have some more exercises to perform and am looking forward to a better future.

I first received treatment from Tom Bedford 4 years ago with wonderful results, and so I knew that Osteopathy worked for me. After moving to London I visited other osteopaths for the same symptoms of back pain and headaches and though the worst symptoms were dealt with I still had constant low-level pain and was resigned to the fact that my condition was worsening with age. That is, until I came back to Oxford and had two treatments from Tom and felt 100% pain-free again. I think the main reason for Tom's effectiveness as a practitioner is that on describing your symptoms he listens to the smallest detail and therefore gets right to the root of the problem. He also tries to relieve your symptoms in as few sessions as possible whereas the practitioners I visited in London insisted I needed weekly treatments for quite a few months which was not only expensive but made me feel that my condition was chronic rather than 'curable'. Thanks Tom!

I had sudden onset of severe pain in my upper back and could barely move my arm. Four weeks and two doctors later I was no nearer to finding the cause of the problem. I was taking heavy duty painkilers and unable to work or to walk my dog. Then a friend recommended Tom Bedford. Tom examined me and diagnosed acute muscle spasms in my upper back and set to work to unlock the joints. Immediately I could move my arm! After the third session I arranged to return to work. My only regret is that I didn't try osteopathy sooner. Tom is easy going yet very professional. I've already recommended him to my friends. My dog and I are extremely grateful to him.

In 1997 I badly injured my right shoulder playing tennis, a sport I had always been particularly good at and loved to play. Six months of physio and gym exercise saw me back on court and swinging a raquet, but never to the same level as before the accident owing to the pain involved with a particular movement of my arm. After nine years of discomfort in doing many everyday things, from gardening to the washing up, in 2006 I visited a consultant surgeon and, after undergoing an MRI scan, was due to go under his knife. Then I met Tom Bedford. After one treatment, the discomfort in my shoulder was considerably reduced and the range of movement much greater. On Tom’s advice I decided not to go through with the operation but to continue with osteopathy as long as it produced good results. Those results have been very worthwhile. Sadly I live at some distance from Oxford, so treatments with Tom are only taken on those occasions that our paths cross (usually involving binoculars and birds!). I have benefited enorm

Whether it’s my seized shoulder, a cronky hip or a stiff neck, it’s such a relief knowing that Tom can mend me – as if by magic and often in a single visit!

Having damaged the tendons in my right shoulder more than 6 months ago, over-compensating with my left arm led to severe back problems, The pain became progressively worse, reaching a point where I was waking up in agony throughout the night and morning. It had become unbearable. Four sessions with a chiropractor, did nothing to solve to problem and I felt the pain was more muscular rather than a problem with my spine. After the first session with Tom, the pain had reduced in my upper back by around 60%!! Having endured weeks of agony, I found this remarkable. Currently, having just completed my third session, I have NO pain in this part of my back. The biggest difference to me is the quality of sleep, and of course, the absence of pain! I was very impressed with Tom's speedy diagnosis and how he targeted and worked on the pain from the onset. I was also impressed with his attention to detail and gaining an understanding of the exact status of the pain, and any developments since the last session. I have no h

After a bad fall the muscles round my lower back area went into spasm and locked the lower vertebrae on my back, as a consequence I could not move freely but after the third treatment with Tom Bedford, as recommended by my best friend, I was able to reassume my normal life and feel human again, now I am pain free and enjoying physical activities

After a work related injury, I suffered from intermittent numbness and severe pain in both my arms and hands, and tendonitis in my elbows. After more than 2 years of unsuccessful investigations and treatment from my GP and hospital consultants, my wife recommended Tom (who had previously successfully treated her long-standing neck and shoulder problems). After three sessions of Tom’s treatment and recommended aftercare, the tendonitis cleared up. Shortly afterwards, I was diagnosed with a new impingement in my neck, which Tom manipulated over two sessions. This decreased the numbness in my arms dramatically and I was able to get a decent night’s sleep and return to work for the first time in over two years. Tom’s treatment and advice has been a relief and a revelation, I have no hesitation in recommending him.

The St Clements Centre is an impressive place of healing where people receive expert treatment from skilled and qualified professionals. I myself have benefited from their professional care. I warmly recommend it to others.

I have suffered with back problems ever since I was a teenager when I had a spinal op to correct a curvature of the spine by inserting a metal rod to straighten the upper third. I also have a slightly rotated ribcage which means that my back is never in the position it should be in. I spent years trying to find a practitioner who could help me maintain my spinal health as from time to time I suffer bouts of pain, sprains and extreme stiffness which can be debilitating, as my spine is under a lot of pressure and my back in general has to work very hard to function. I have only ever found two people whose treatment was effective; one is now in Australia, the other is Tom Bedford. I see him whenever I feel that my back is "about to go" although sometimes I leave it a bit too long and I am in severe pain by the time I see him. He is always extremely sensitive about the way he treats my back, I never feel unsafe in his hands, and his treatment seems to be more effective, more quickly than any other osteopath or ch

I've been coming to Chris for several months for remedial massage to improve muscle tension and headaches. He's been so helpful -- I sleep better now, my tension headaches have significantly decreased in intensity and in number, acute and general anxiety has softened, and athletic performance in rowing improved. He's always relaxed and pleasant; I never feel nervous about the session. Iffley Turn Practice is bright and clean. The only drawback? Chris is very good, and I won't go to anyone else -- this is a problem when his appointments book quickly! 10/10!

I was reassured from the very first meeting with Ben for osteopathy (which have helped me a lot, by the way)and during our conversations I learned about the Mindfulness course. It was reassuring and enlightening ..... and not at al weird :) Highly recommended.

The best £50 I’ve spent for some time! Major improvement, somewhere between completely better and mostly better, physically and physiologically a huge improvement. I recommend the practice.

Tom was really calming and explained the treatment plan clearly. He informed me my back problem was common, that it could be treated and it was. My pain went on my first treatment. I went from being in spasming pain to having no pain after treatment. I was worried my back pain may return due to lifting a 6 month baby that was getting bigger(!) but he his now 8 months and I haven't had any further problems.

I have nothing but good things to say about Heather and my very positive experience of acupuncture with her. She has helped me so much on so many levels with a variety of issues including insomnia. I always enjoy my sessions with her and come away feeling calmer and reassured. Heather is a fantastic person - always kind and perceptive, and highly skilled and knowledgeable. I will continue to recommend her, and am now an advocate for the profound benefits of acupuncture.

I am so grateful that I found Heather during a period of my life when I was feeling extremely weak, anxious, stressed, with my hormones all over the place. I'd just finished breastfeeding and my GP couldn't find any reason for me to be feeling the way I was. When I first sat down with Heather, I felt completely in safe hands. She listened and immediately knew what to do, telling me that in traditional Chinese medicine there is a simple explanation for the hormonal flux when breastfeeding ends. I felt an immediate difference after the first acupuncture session, and the hormonal issue was sorted within a month of weekly acupuncture visits. As well as further acupuncture for a variety of issues (stress, anxiety, sleep issues), she was also able to advise me of some adaptations to my diet which would support and nourish my blood, meaning that I no longer feel dizzy and weak each month. I will continue to follow this advice and believe it has been invaluable to my health and well-being. Heather is very astute, caring and really listens to whatever is going on. I can't recommend her highly enough.

I visited Heather for regular acupuncture to help with a range of health problems stemming from cancer treatment. When I first began seeing Heather I was suffering from anxiety and fatigue, as well as digestive problems and hormonal disturbances. I immediately felt comfortable with Heather and she really listened to all of my concerns. I saw an improvement in all of my symptoms very quickly and, when I needed further cancer treatment, regular acupuncture helped me to cope with the stress and also reduced the side-effects. Heather is a caring and empathetic practitioner, and takes a ‘whole person’ approach to her practice which I found very helpful. I would highly recommend acupuncture to anyone who feels that their general health (physical or mental) requires some additional support to get back on track.

Before I starting seeing Heather for regular acupuncture, I suffered from migraines 2-3 times a month. Thanks to this treatment, I haven't had a migraine for over 6 months now, which is such a relief. I have a monthly treatment now, more for my general wellbeing.

I had a course of acupuncture with Heather. She always listened carefully and along with being highly skilled had a kind, sympathetic and wholesome approach to healing. IF you want to do acupuncture but are scared of needles she is the right person to go to.

Tom got straight to the root of the problem - I had been suffering from neck pain for two months and it was getting worse. I could not look over either shoulder and I was experiencing headaches and pain in my right arm. I could feel the tension in my neck and knew that a trip to the GP would be a waste of time - I would be given painkillers, not a cure. After two sessions with Tom I am completely back to normal and feel as though I am walking on air.