Not sure what osteopathy is or what an osteopath does? We've got all your questions answered. But first, a little intro...
Osteopaths are university trained allied health practitioners who follow the biopsychosocial healthcare model. In other words all factors that affect a person's health are considered and addressed. Osteopaths utilise a wide range of manual therapy techniques, physical rehabilitation exercises and health education strategies to promote health.
Osteopaths see the body as a whole unit and aim to assist the body to be dynamically balanced and to function as efficiently as possible. As a manual medicine, osteopathy recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. Treatment aims to work with the body's own self healing mechanisms to improve health and mobility.
Osteopaths don’t just treat bones. They treat the whole body by considering how all of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, fascia, viscera (internal organs) and the circulatory, neurological and endocrine systems function together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What conditions do osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths can address an array of musculoskeletal conditions including but not limited to:
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Joint pain and arthritis -
Back pain and neck pain -
Headaches and migraines -
Pelvic pain -
Sciatica -
Muscle strains and tears -
Ligament sprains -
Tendon injuries and bursitis -
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) -
Postural aches and pains -
Jaw pain -
Pregnancy pain and post natal care
What training is required to be an osteopath?
What should I expect from a consultation?
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Take a detailed record of your presenting complaint and your current health to date. -
Perform medical and osteopathic examinations as required to establish a diagnosis. Depending on the area of injury, this may require (with your permission) undressing to your underwear. -
Explanation of the diagnosis and proposed treatment and management strategies. In some instances this may include referral to other health practitioners. -
Manual therapy to address your complaint. -
Prescription of self management strategies to empower you to take control of your health
Do I need a referral to see an osteopath?
Can I claim the cost of treatment?
What types of techniques do osteopaths use?
Osteopaths can utilise a very broad range of techniques to address client complaints. The selection of techniques used by any one osteopath is based first on which techniques are appropriate for a given client, followed by the osteopaths personal preference of which techniques they find most effective.
What is the difference between an osteo, a physio and a chiro?
Let's be clear. There is lots of overlap between them. Each profession addresses a similar range of conditions and even utilises some of the same manual techniques. The key difference is perhaps in the philosophy behind each profession and the differences in approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Why are some osteopaths referred to as Doctors?
The profession as a whole has elected to use the title Doctor when referring to an osteopath. However, whether or not an individual osteopath wishes to use the title Doctor, is up to their own discretion. Choosing not to use the title Doctor in no way implies that they have less training or experience than an osteopath who does choose to use the title.
How will I feel after a treatment?
The general aim of each treatment is to relieve pain, increase mobility and improve over all function. Some people will feel better immediately after a treatment. In other cases, people experience soreness or a worsening of symptoms for 24-48 hours, as the body adapts to the changes made during the treatment. This is commonly referred to as 'post treatment soreness'. Depending on the type of techniques used during your consultation, you may also feel fatigued.
Is osteopathy an evidenced based medicine?
Yes.