FAQ’s

Simple
Usually if you have developed an acute problem (it’s only recently happened) and you have had no similar symptoms previously then it may be straightforward to Diagnose and then treat.

New Patients to The Health Equation can book a New Patient consultation (45 mins)

Complex
Chronic (long term) or recurrent problems, especially if you have been investigated or treated for the problem before or have multiple symptoms/health problems, may well be more complex. These problems generally require more time, thought and investigations to come up with an accurate diagnosis before a treatment plan can be established. So often we discover that “Everything is about something else”. A detailed case history and clinical examination can help you understand how, so often, there may well be a connection to the different symptoms you are experiencing and, importantly, why. Patients tend to get better if they really understand their health and what type of treatment may be beneficial and why.

Time spent at this stage generally makes treatment much more targeted and often helps to achieve a quicker resolution to your health care problems.

New Patients to The Health Equation can book a Diagnostic consultation (60 mins)

Mr Gerry Gajadharsingh
Osteopath/Diagnostic Consultant-Complementary Medicine
Metabolic Balance Nutritional Coach/Advanced Breath Practitioner

Acts as the “gatekeeper”. All new patients are requested to book a 60-minute Diagnostic Consultation, especially off they have a complex clinical problem.  A very detailed case history, clinical examination and, if appropriate, additional investigations such as imaging, blood tests etc will help develop the diagnosis and determine the treatment plan. The majority of his patients have complex problems. Sometimes, if the problem is simple, there may be enough time during the consultation to commence treatment, he will do his best to accommodate your clinical needs.

However be aware that sometimes things are not as simple as you might wish.

Results from our patients’ survey in 2012 suggest that:

58% of patients say they had received an unclear/incorrect diagnosis from their previous clinician.

75% of our patients had previously seen at least 1 other healthcare clinician for their problem, many having seen several other clinicians including their GP, Medical Consultant, Physio or other clinician.

60% of patients had multiple symptoms.

As each person and their circumstances are unique, the number of treatment sessions required differs – whatever the discipline.

At the Diagnostic Consultation with Gerry, he will discuss with you what is the best type of treatment for you. If he decides to treat you his follow-ups are usually 45 minutes.

Prognosis is sometimes difficult especially for complex clinical problems where patients may already have seen various clinicians.

The average number of treatments for simple clinical problems is about 4 treatment sessions, complex problems vary, but change is usually observed from 4 to 6 treatment sessions  sometimes results are felt more quickly, while for others it may take longer.

We offer Clinical Care Packages which include 4* Standard Consultations (45mins), which are discounted by 20% compared to the individual cost of standard consultations. Clinical problems are always re-assessed at the start of each follow up consultation and definitely by the end of each clinical care package to determine the need for ongoing care.

As each person and their circumstances are unique, the number of treatment sessions required differs – whatever the discipline. Often change is felt within 4 to 6 treatments; sometimes results are felt more quickly, while for others it may take longer.

Just that: it’s integrated.

Patients are made up of a collection of functional systems, which interact with each other, with the whole being more than the sum of the individual parts. When these systems are functioning well, good health is the result, conversely if they are dysfunctional; symptoms develop, and if ignored or poorly understood progressive illness can be the result. These systems can be categorised into

1 Psycho/social/emotional/behavioural

2 Biomechanical/neuromusculoskeletal

3 Nutritional//hormonal/biochemical.

An Integrated Osteopathic Approach takes into account not only obvious, demonstrable pathology, but also disturbance in function within these systems.

This holistic evaluation of the patient informs the options for treatment intervention, taking into account the patient’s belief systems and preferences. Patient-centered care allows the patient a better understanding of why they have become ill and to help provide the tools necessary to allow healing to take place, providing that the systems/tissues causing the problem have not undergone irreversible pathological change. It’s the best possible combination of conventional and complementary medicine.

Results from our patients survey in 2012 suggest that:

65% of our patients come to us specifically for our integrated approach to medicine.

Overall 96.6% of our patients rated the care they receive at The Health Equation as either excellent (74.6%) or very good (22%).

Say, for example, you have a recurring headache or migraine. Usually a consultation with Mr Gerry Gajadharsingh our Diagnostic Consultant – Complementary Medicine will establish details of the current problem, medical history, general health, social history and certain lifestyle factors. Then there’s a clinical examination; in this case, to check your cardiovascular, neurological, ENT, musculo-skeletal, and digestive systems.
Other tests like blood and urine analysis may also be performed.

This all helps form a differential diagnosis – the possible causes, of your headache, with possible additional investigations, such as blood tests, capnography and Heart Rate Variability monitoring, x-rays or CAT-scan. You may be referred for other specialist tests or opinions but normally, treatment and management advice are given once test results are known. This may vary from Gerry performing Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT), nutritional supplementation, dietary advice, lifestyle and exercise advice to  liaising with your GP for medication,  or referral to referral back to your GP or other medical specialist.

We will communicate, with your permission, with whoever referred you. If test results flag up any areas of concern that suggest medical referral is necessary, this will be discussed with you, prior to communication with your GP or specialist and with your consent

There is no single difference but some similarities. Our professional philosophies do differ, as do the technical approaches and length of education, but the approach used by each clinician is often personalised by the individual practitioner and also depends on their clinical experience.

Private Health Insurance (PHI) in the UK covers patients seen by individual clinicians for inpatient hospital stays, or outpatient investigations and treatment, normally for acute (short-term) problems.  Each PHI Company has their own rules for conventional and complementary medical coverage.

Mr Gerry Gajadharsingh Diagnostic Consultant -Complementary Medicine is an Osteopath, approved by some of the major insurance companies, such as BUPA Global and WPA (BUT NOT AXA/PPP, Vitality or BUPA UK), but levels of cover vary. Some companies will also authorise him to order investigations such as imaging and blood tests.

Please note that whatever your level of cover, all patients are required to settle their bills with The Health Equation at the end of each consultation.

The Health Equation will issue receipts and Gerry will sign the relevant documentation if you are eligible to reclaim our clinicians’ fees from your private health insurance.

Some insurance companies will need your GP’s referral to authorise coverage or even sometimes a medical consultant.

In short, private health insurance in the UK is not straightforward! All patients are urged to contact their individual company to determine their level of cover before embarking on investigations and treatment.

Results from our patients survey in 2012 suggest that:

81% of our patients self pay for their consultation and treatment, ie value our care enough to pay for it themselves.

Clinical nutrition was part of Gerry Gajadharsingh’s undergraduate training at The British School of Osteopathy, which has been complemented by taking Nutrition and Advanced Pathophysiology Masters Modules as part of an MSc programme at The European School of Osteopathy. He has also attended numerous nutritional educational seminars provided by Solgar and Genova Diagnostics and is a Certified Metabolic Balance coach. He is also one of two official Metabolic Balance Lecturers to UK based clinicians.

The Metabolic Balance programme is geared towards motivated people who really want to improve their health. A side effect of the plan is that it often helps people lose weight, by improving their metabolism; it is a structured 6-month programme developed by analysing specific blood parameters to generate an individualised nutritional programme.

Please note that if you are NOT already a patient of The Health Equation, you will first need to book a Diagnostic Consultation, to ensure this specialised program is suitable for your needs.

Normally as part of the Diagnostic Consultation, if clinically indicated, Gerry Gajadharsingh will assess your breathing behavior using sophisticated technology called capnometry and Heart Rate Variability (HRV) monitoring.

This very clever bit of kit measures non-invasively, CO2 levels, breathing rate, heart rate and HRV. It often gives very valuable information on “real time physiology”. For the first time patients have a sense of the effect of their “normal” breathing behaviour on their physiology especially on the autonomic nervous system (which controls practically everything that goes on in the body on a subconscious level)