St Davids Osteopathic Clinic

Business Details

41 Years

experience

Expert Osteopathic Care in Exeter

Established in 1985, our clinic has built a reputation for delivering high-quality osteopathic care rooted in over four decades of combined clinical expertise. Our team of highly qualified osteopaths employs a diverse range of techniquesincluding structural, cranio-sacral, and functional methodsto create personalized treatment plans addressing musculoskeletal issues, chronic pain, and postnatal care. We prioritise patient education alongside hands-on therapy, empowering individuals to manage symptoms effectively while addressing root causes.

Our commitment to excellence is evidenced by our registration with the General Osteopathic Council and consistently positive patient feedback highlighting our warm, professional environment. We serve Exeter and surrounding areas, treating patients of all ages, from infants recovering from birth trauma to adults seeking relief from arthritis, sports injuries, and complex chronic conditions.

Services

Osteopathy for Pregnancy Back Pain Treatment Cranial Osteopathy Sports Injury Rehabilitation Arthritis Management Sciatica Relief Postnatal Osteopathy Disc Injury Treatment Chronic Pain Management Paediatric Osteopathy

Details

Year established: 1985

Highlights and features

40 years of combined clinical expertise treating musculoskeletal conditions
Personalised treatment plans integrating structural, cranial and functional osteopathy
Specialist postnatal and infant osteopathy for birth trauma recovery
Positive patient testimonials highlighting compassionate, effective care
Registered practitioners maintaining rigorous professional standards

Associations and certifications

General Osteopathic Council

What people say

Expert, empathetic care Effective pain relief Warm, welcoming atmosphere Thorough treatment plans Gentle infant techniques

Website

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Services

Cranial Osteopathy

Specialised gentle treatment for infants and adults using subtle manipulations to relieve birth trauma, headaches, and nervous system tension. Our practitioners combine cranio-sacral techniques with postural analysis to address developmental imbalances in children and chronic pain patterns in adults. This non-invasive approach encourages natural healing through cerebrospinal fluid rhythm regulation.

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Comprehensive management of sports-related injuries focusing on joint mobility restoration and soft tissue repair. We employ structural techniques to treat knee/shoulder injuries while integrating functional assessments to prevent recurrence. Treatment plans combine manual therapy with corrective exercise prescriptions tailored to individual recovery timelines and athletic demands.

Pregnancy Osteopathy

Safe, targeted treatment for pregnancy-related discomforts addressing postural changes and ligament strain. Our experts use modified techniques to alleviate sciatica, lower back pain, and symphysis pubis dysfunction while preparing the pelvis for optimal fetal positioning. Sessions incorporate ergonomic advice for managing physical transformations throughout all trimesters.

Chronic Pain Management

Multimodal approach to persistent musculoskeletal pain combining structural realignment with lifestyle modification strategies. We specialise in treating arthritic conditions, disc-related pain, and fibromyalgia through periodic osteopathic interventions alongside patient education on self-management techniques and activity modification for sustained symptom improvement.

Paediatric Osteopathy

Gentle postnatal examinations and treatment for infants experiencing birth-related strain. Practitioners address colic symptoms, feeding difficulties, and developmental asymmetries through extremely mild manipulations. Follow-up care supports motor skill development while educating parents about recognising subtle signs of musculoskeletal tension in growing children.

People

David Stainer-Smith

Osteopath

Graduated in 2006 from European School of Osteopathy. Specialises in disc injuries and chronic spinal pain using structural and cranial techniques. Registered with General Osteopathic Council. Combines clinical expertise with practical understanding of sports injury rehabilitation from rugby background.

Laura Turner

Osteopath

Qualified in 2022 with Masters from Plymouth Marjon University. Trained in Perrin Technique for ME/CFS management. Focuses on chronic conditions and postnatal care using integrated structural and cranial methods. Emphasises individualised treatment plans tailored to patients' lifestyle requirements.

Paul Thompson

Osteopath

Practicing since 1998 after graduating from British School of Osteopathy. Specialises in prenatal and infant care. Combines cranial and structural techniques to address pregnancy-related discomforts and newborn adaptation challenges. Brings financial sector analytical skills to patient case management.

Questions

What conditions do you commonly treat?

We treat musculoskeletal pain including back/neck pain, arthritis, sciatica, sports injuries, headaches, and pregnancy-related discomfort. Our experts also address infant birth trauma and chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.

Can osteopathy help during pregnancy?

Yes, we provide tailored treatments for expectant mothers to address posture changes, prepare the pelvis for childbirth, and relieve sciatica. Our gentle techniques ensure safe and comfortable care throughout pregnancy.

Is treatment available for children?

We offer postnatal examinations and gentle cranial osteopathy for infants recovering from birth strain. Our practitioners are experienced in addressing feeding difficulties and developmental asymmetries through non-invasive techniques.

What techniques do your osteopaths use?

Our team employs structural manipulations, cranio-sacral therapy, functional techniques, and the Perrin Technique for chronic fatigue conditions. Treatments are customised to each patient's specific needs and comfort level.

Are your practitioners registered professionals?

All our osteopaths hold current registration with the General Osteopathic Council, ensuring they meet strict professional standards and participate in ongoing continuing professional development.

How many sessions will I need?

Treatment plans vary based on individual conditions. Many patients experience improvement within 3-4 sessions, with chronic cases requiring periodic maintenance visits. Your practitioner will discuss expected timelines during initial consultations.

Reviews (6)

Write a Review

Dave Richards

Mar 26, 2021 Report

Couldn’t recommend highly enough! Could see a change in my daughter straight away after the first session, brilliant service.

Elsie Qin

Mar 05, 2021 Report

I’ve used Exeter St David’s Osteopath’s before and they have always been great. I went today as I have been suffering with a severely painful shoulder which is interfering with my sleep. Paul has really worked wonders and the large area of discomfort I have been putting up with daily has reduced to a much smaller area. I’m hoping for a good nights sleep and one last treatment to rectify the problem. Recommend this practice highly

Jason Dix

Mar 01, 2021 Report

Suffering from lower back pain. I received good customer service whereby I was seen quickly and with ease. During my assessment/treatments, David was interested explaining and detailing to me the issues going on within in my lower back, helping me to gain a better understanding of my problem. Definitely worth the visits.

Emma

Feb 19, 2021 Report

I was recommended St David's Osteopath Clinic after injuring my hip flexor. I made an appointment and went to see David.
David is a truly lovely guy, exceptionally knowledgeable, friendly, chatty and lovely to talk to about many different topics (you could say it's my new social life) he is the kind of man you feel you've known for years. .
David has sorted out my hip issue tremendously, he keeps me in work as he keeps things moving without pain. I go to see him every 2-3 weeks and really look forward to it. I especially love the neck pulling and back cracking, I do look forward to that bit!

Isobel McCausland

Feb 18, 2021 Report

Have seen David at St Davids Osteopathic Clinic over several years - at some points for regular treatment for prevention/maintenance and at other times have sought his help for acute discomfort. I cant recommend him and the practice enough, and found the sessions, even through pregnancy, really helpful and significantly improved my physical well-being.

Rosalind Burrows

Feb 13, 2021 Report

I highly recommend this clinic as I always feel better after David has treated my back/shoulder which he has several times over the years. The clinic team are aways friendly and professional making sure it's safe since covid. Plus there's easy, free parking!