What is Osteopathy?
What is an Osteopath?
Osteopaths are government-registered practitioners of manual medicine. Training involves a five year full time double degree program at university. Osteopathy is a whole body system of healthcare, with a "hands on" approach to treatment. It is best known for its safe, gentle and effective treatment of musculoskeletal complaints.
Is Osteopathy new?
Osteopathy was developed in America by in 1874. Dr Andrew Taylor Still was a physician and surgeon who wanted to develop a system of medicine that used medication and surgery as a last resort. This contrasted with popular medical opinion of the time. He believed that the body was created as a perfect, harmonious whole and contained the basics necessaryfor its own healing. He developed a system for stimulating the immune system naturally. Due to his success with patients, he established the first training college, for Osteopaths, in 1892. Currently, his original concepts are practiced, by over 40,000 Osteopaths worldwide.
Osteopaths may help with:
- muscle pain and spasm
- joint pain
- ankle and knee injuries
- improve joint function
- headaches
- sports injuries
- back pain
- neck and head pain
- jaw pain
- wrist and hand injuries
- elbow pain
Who can be treated
- Pregnant women
- Adults (Both Men & Women)
- Children
- Elderly
- Babies
Treatment techniques
Osteopathy is a manual therapy, so hands-on treatment may include massage, stretching, repetitive movements, mobilisation and/or manipulation. Techniques:
- Soft tissue
- Deep tissue massage
- Myofascial stretching
- Joint articulation and manipulation
- Strain counterstrain
- Balance ligamentous tension
- Osteopathy in the cranial field
Services offered
- Osteopathy
- Rehabilitation
- Swiss Ball Training (one on one and group sessions available)
- DVA, TAC and Workcover accredited.
- Sports & Postural Taping
What to expect on your first visit
On arrival we need to collect some personal details like your date of birth and contact details for our records. Next a detailed case history is taken. This includes details of the presenting complaint as well as general medicalhistory. An examination will be performed on relevant areas to allow diagnosis of the problem. Hands on treatment will follow. Advice on posture, exercise, diet and ergonomic issues is offered if relevant. Questions from you (the patient) are encouraged. Your Osteopath will explain all procedures at the time of treatment. This process will take 45 minutes to one hour. Subsequent visits will take 20-30 minutes.
Is treatment painful?
No. Most treatment is quite gentle. Let the Osteopath know if the treatment is painful and the techniques will be varied. Some people will feel a little soreness for one to two days after treatment. This will settle, and is a normal part of the treatment process. The body reacts to stimuli introduced by your Osteopath to aid the body to heal itself.