Confessions of an Osteopath: Things I Wish Patients Knew Before They Apologised for Their Feet

If I had a pound for every time someone apologised for their feet, I could probably retire early and buy a heated treatment bench. Almost every new patient does it — they sit down, take off their shoes, and say:

“Sorry about my feet.”
Or sometimes:
“I should’ve worn better socks.”

As an osteopath in Nottingham, I’ve seen every kind of foot there is — from runners’ calluses to the occasional glittery toenail polish. None of it matters. What matters is the person attached to them.

---

1️⃣ You Don’t Need Perfect Feet (or Perfect Posture)

I promise, I’m not judging your toes — or your posture. Your body doesn’t have to look like a textbook diagram to work beautifully. Most of the people who walk through my door are a bit stiff, a bit lopsided, and perfectly normal. If you stand a little crooked, it usually just means your body has adapted over time — and that’s clever, not wrong.

---

2️⃣ It’s Okay to Laugh During Treatment

Sometimes people try so hard to “relax” that they freeze. Then they apologise for not relaxing enough! It’s fine — treatment isn’t an exam. If we chat, laugh, or joke about your weekend plans, that’s good. It means you’re comfortable. Bodies respond better when we’re not trying too hard to “do it right.”

---

3️⃣ You’re Allowed to Ask Questions (and Even Doubt Things)

I like explaining what I’m doing and why. If something doesn’t make sense, ask. If you’ve read something online that sounds different, tell me — half my job is helping people make sense of all the conflicting advice out there. (And yes, sometimes Dr. Google and I disagree.)

---

4️⃣ The Treatment Room Is a Judgement-Free Zone

No one cares if your socks don’t match. You don’t need to “prepare” your back before your appointment, or apologise for not stretching enough. You’ve already done the most important thing — you showed up. That’s where change starts.

---

5️⃣ Healing Isn’t About Perfection — It’s About Progress

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in over 20 years of practice, it’s this: your body is usually doing its best.
Sometimes it needs help, but often it just needs a nudge, time, and a bit of faith that improvement is possible.
That’s the magic of what I do — helping people realise they’re not broken, just a little out of sync.

So next time you visit an osteopath — in Nottingham or anywhere else — keep your socks on if you like, and don’t apologise for your feet. We’re just happy you’re here.