You’re with Bob Allen (osteopath) and Clare Elsby (therapy coach), your hosts on the Pain Free Living podcast.

In this episode, you’ll find out how to choose the right therapist for you — whether that’s an osteopath, physio, psychotherapist, or therapy coach. We unpack what good practice really looks like, the value of a free discovery session, and how to spot red flags so you can invest your time and energy wisely.

You’ll hear Clare explain the importance of person-centred coaching, which is the agreement that keeps therapy focused on what you need most on the day. She also covers why consistency, whether weekly or fortnightly, helps build momentum and trust. There’s often a little “homework” between sessions, just like Bob’s exercise plans, but don’t worry, it’s all about helping you to make progress when you leave your session.

Bob shares the physical therapy perspective, including why results should be reviewed every session, and what to do if things aren’t improving. If a therapist keeps repeating the same approach without change, it’s perfectly okay to ask questions or seek another opinion.

We also explore how to check credentials and understand regulation: osteopaths, physios, and chiropractors are all professionally regulated, but coaching is not, so look for experience, whether or not they are supervised, and evidence of continued professional development (CPD).

You’ll also learn why clear communication beats jargon, and how rapport and trust will make your therapy more effective.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to research smartly, read reviews sensibly, and choose a practitioner who listens, explains clearly, and helps you make real, lasting progress.

What Next

If this episode helped you see physical therapy or mental health support in a new light, follow the show, share it with a friend, and subscribe to the newsletter for extra tools between episodes.

5 Key Takeaways

- Start with a discovery call: a no-pressure way to check rapport and clarity.

- Expect change: after 1 - 2 sessions, your therapist should review and adapt if needed.

- Check professional membership: regulation or accreditation matters.

- Avoid jargon and hard sells: clarity and collaboration are key.

- Keep momentum: regular sessions build confidence and results.

Helpful resources

You can find an osteopath and check their qualifications here https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/register-search/

You can see what is required for EMCC accreditation here https://emccuk.org/accreditation/emcc-global-accreditation/

Find out more about us and stay connected

😎 Learn more about Bob’s story https://bit.ly/BobsOsteoStory

🤩 Find out more about Clare’s work https://www.clareelsby.com/

📰 Sign up for our Pain Free Living newsletter https://bit.ly/PFL_newsletter_signup

🎙️ Connect with us on socials & podcast platforms https://linktr.ee/Painfreeliving

Welcome to the latest Pain Free Living podcast with your hosts Bob Allen (osteopath) and Clare Elsby (therapy coach).

In this episode, you’ll find out exactly what to expect in your first osteopathy session or therapy coaching consultation, from taking your case history to active listening, and everything in between.

Bob takes you behind the scenes of what really happens when someone walks through his clinic door. A thorough case history is at the heart of osteopathic diagnosis, and Bob explains why he gives each patient time to share their story in full.

This isn’t a quick “where does it hurt?” appointment. Instead, it’s about uncovering key details, like forgotten operations or old injuries. These are important things that are often forgotten but can completely change your treatment picture.

He explains why those one-size-fits-all YouTube exercise plans to fix your low back pain often miss the mark, and why understanding the individual always comes first.

Clare then brings the conversation online — literally. As a therapy coach, most of her sessions happen virtually, giving clients the comfort of their own curated space. She explains how a structured discovery session helps identify what’s really going on beneath the surface, when to signpost clients safely to GPs or mental health professionals, and how a professionally managed conversation differs from chatting with friends.

A major theme in this episode is active listening where space is created for you to feel genuinely heard, without interruption or judgment.

Both Clare and Bob emphasise that listening well isn’t passive; it’s the foundation for trust, accurate assessment, and meaningful change.

Whether you’re curious about seeing an osteopath for pain relief or considering therapy coaching to untangle life’s challenges, this episode demystifies the process and shows how both approaches share a common thread: understanding you.

🦴 A thorough case history is the foundation of accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

👂 Active listening helps clients feel heard and supported — and leads to better outcomes

🧠 Online therapy coaching is flexible, confidential, and surprisingly powerful.

🧾 One-size-fits-all exercise plans often fall short — personalised care matters.

🤝 Different professions, one goal: helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Find out more about us and stay connected

😎 Learn more about Bob’s story https://bit.ly/BobsOsteoStory

🤩 Find out more about Clare’s work https://www.clareelsby.com/

📰 Sign up for our Pain Free Living newsletter https://bit.ly/PFL_newsletter_signup

🎙️ Connect with us on socials & podcast platforms https://linktr.ee/Painfreeliving

You’re with Pain Free Living podcast hosts Bob Allen (osteopath) and Clare Elsby (therapy coach).

In this episode, you’ll find out how hands-on osteopathy and therapy coaching complement each other. We take you from your first contact with a therapist, whether it's for your physical or mental health, to safe signposting when something sits outside our scope.

We look at why osteopaths aren’t “just for low back pain,” what clinical training and diagnosis mean in practice, and how red-flag awareness (like potential medical emergencies such as cauda equina syndrome) protects you.

Clare shares how a free discovery session helps triage issues like anxiety, panic, or health worries — and when her network of psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and counsellors is the right next step.

You’ll also hear real-world stories like long-standing knee pain solved by treating a restriction in the opposite hip and parents who, while supporting their neurodiverse children through assessment, recognise similar patterns in themselves. The conversation also looks at what psychoeducation plus practical workarounds can unlock.

Don’t worry if any of this feels overwhelming, awareness is always the first step. Our job is to keep you safe, seen, heard, and making progress with the right person at the right time.

If today’s chat helped, subscribe, share this with a friend who’s stuck, and join the newsletter for more practical, jargon-free health guidance.

5 Key Takeaways

• Osteopathy goes beyond back pain: whole-body assessment, clinical reasoning, and the ability to diagnose and refer when needed.
• Scope of practice matters — knowing when to treat and when to signpost keeps care safe and effective.
• Red-flag awareness (e.g., suspected medical emergencies such as Cauda Equina Syndrome) = prompt referral; safety first, always.
• Therapy coaching triages issues like anxiety or low mood and, when appropriate, connects you to clinical therapy.
• Your mind and body aren’t separate: combining physical care with psychoeducation often accelerates progress.

Resources

More on Cauda Equina Syndrome: https://www.ihavecaudaequina.com/cauda-equina-syndrome/

Find out more about us and stay connected

😎 Learn more about Bob’s story https://bit.ly/BobsOsteoStory

🤩 Find out more about Clare’s work https://www.clareelsby.com/

📰 Sign up for our Pain Free Living newsletter https://bit.ly/PFL_newsletter_signup

🎙️ Connect with us on socials & podcast platforms https://linktr.ee/Painfreeliving