What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a manual therapy and an established recognized system of healthcare which relies on manual contact for diagnosis and treatment. It respects the relationship of body, mind and spirit in health and disease; it lays emphasis on the structural and functional integrity of the body and the body's intrinsic tendency for self-healing.

Osteopaths in Australia are University qualified and have studied a minimum of a 5 year Masters Qualifications. Osteopaths are trained in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners and are trained to recognise conditions which require medical referral. They are also trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

Osteopaths have highly trained palpation skills and a very detailed knowledge of the human body. As an Osteopath our goal is to not only provide short term relief, but get to the cause of the symptoms to achieve long term relief. Osteopathic treatment is suitable for every stage of life from newborn babies to the elderly and everything in between.

First Visit

Initial Consultations require 45 – 60 minutes.

An Initial Consultation begins with a thorough case history; this includes your presenting symptoms, your medical history, family medical history, previous trauma, medication etc. We then perform a physical assessment, checking your posture, a range of movements, and, depending on your presenting case history, we may perform orthopaedic tests and/or neurological testing. We then palpate (feel) individual joints and muscles, feeling for restrictions and strain patterns. This allows us to form a diagnosis, on which we base our treatment. Treatment follows, aiming to restore structure and therefore function to the dysfunctional areas. During the consultation you may be given advice and exercises to help and to prevent exacerbation of the problem.

Osteopaths use a variety of hands on techniques including but not limited to Soft tissue massage, muscle energy techniques, balanced ligamentous tension, HVLA (manipulation), and joint articulation. These techniques are individualised and focus on the relationship between the nerves, muscles, joints, ligaments, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs.

Return Consultations require 20-30minutes.