Shrewsbury Osteopaths

About

Shrewsbury Osteopaths is a family practice at Sweetlake Business Village in Shrewsbury. It was set up in 1979 by Richard and Susan Allen, who qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1977, and today four registered osteopaths from the next generation of the family work there: Henry and Amie Allen and Rowan and Richard Metliss. The practice says its team has a combined experience of over 120 years.

Shrewsbury Osteopaths specialises in cranial osteopathy, a gentle approach used for everyone from newborns to the elderly, and for a wide range of complaints from recent injuries to long-standing problems. Teaching runs through the practice: Richard and Susan Allen have taught on postgraduate cranial courses since 1985, Richard for the British School of Osteopathy and the Sutherland Cranial College and as a guest lecturer in the USA and Australia, and Susan on paediatric courses, after four years as a consultant at the Osteopathic Centre for Children in Manchester. They have mentored the younger osteopaths, and Richard Metliss also teaches on postgraduate osteopathic courses. After 45 years in practice, Richard and Susan have not renewed their osteopathic registration and now see patients as manual therapists.

Each of the osteopaths brings particular interests. Henry Allen, who graduated in 2011, focuses on babies and children, problems before and after birth, sports injuries and work- or posture-related discomfort. Amie Allen, also qualifying in 2011, sees patients of all ages. Rowan Metliss, who has over 20 years of experience, ran a children’s and mothers’ practice in Canada for ten years and trained extensively in lactation and feeding issues, so parents with a new baby may find her especially helpful. Richard Metliss treats everyone from babies to older people, and is a teacher of Wu style Tai Chi and Qi Gong.

A first visit starts with a detailed case history, including your own view of how your body feels and what may have caused the problem, followed by an examination of posture and movement. The osteopath then discusses the findings with you, and each treatment plan is individual. Patients can ask to see a female osteopath.

An initial consultation and treatment costs £85, with subsequent treatments at £70 for adults and £68 for children up to 18. Shrewsbury Osteopaths can provide a receipt for claiming back the cost through private health insurance. Appointments are booked by phone, Monday to Friday, and the practice has disabled access.