Osteopathy

Osteopaths are trained to provide musculoskeletal and nervous system assessments along with other physical examinations to evaluate and diagnose dysfunction in your body.

Osteopathic treatment uses techniques which are dependent not only on the condition presented, but also on the patient being treated.

 

These techniques can include:

• Stretching via muscle energy techniques, passive and functional stretching,

• Manipulation via mobilisation, HVLA and functional range of motion

• Dry Needling

• Rehabilitation via strengthening and conditioning

• Myofascial release

• Cranial osteopathy; craniosacral/biodynamic therapy

• Breathing training or retraining 

Our approach is not limited simply to the treatment of injury or pain, we are focused on helping the whole person improve their health. We also use; movement, postural, positioning advice and ergonomic assessments. Advice about your lifestyle, stress management, sleep, diet or other factors that may influence your pain, injury or movement.

In Australia, Osteopaths are Government registered health practitioners who complete a minimum of five years university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners and are trained to recognise conditions that require medical referral. They are also trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems, and do not require a referral to obtain an appointment. Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and by Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plans. Osteopaths are registered providers for DVA patients.

Who do we treat?

 

Over our combined years, we have seen newborn babies all the way up to treating a couple of centenarians. Ultimately we treat humans, anyone can benefit. As Osteopaths we primarily focus on musculoskeletal conditions and injuries, however we may also help with the recovery and prevention of:

• Headaches & migraines

• Pregnancy

• Gastrointestinal conditions

• Post-surgical rehabilitation

• Strength & conditioning

• Joints & flexibility

• Chronic pain, such as arthritis

• Repetitive strain injury

• Bursitis and tendonitis

• Postural problems

• General health & maintenance

 

Pregnancy 

 

Making sure that the body is functioning well is very important for conception, pregnancy and labour to progress with as few symptoms as possible.  Most important is the sacrum, coccyx and lumbar vertebrae. All of the pelvic organs such as the uterus get their nerve and blood supply from these areas of the spine. The presence of any strain here can have effects and it is important that your Osteopath gets a chance to improve their function prior to labour.

The job of caring for a new baby can also place enormous strain on the back. Breast-feeding, lifting car capsules and prams, carrying your baby and reaching over the cot can put extra strain on your back.

After birth, osteopathic treatment can attend to back and neck pain, restore balance in the pelvic region and provide advice on strengthening exercises for the abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.

 

Paediatrics

 

We also encourage Mums to bring in Bub for a check in their first few weeks to help balance any trauma caused during the labour. Paediatric osteopathy uses non adjustive, non-mechanised technique to relax babies post birth. The most common concerns we see are reflux, feeding, latching, sleeping and winding issues.

As a practice we do not advocate adjusting the spine in infants (HVT, Clicking, thumper devices etc), in any way. We always practice within the safe parameters and guidelines of paediatric osteopathy and will refer to a medical paediatrician with any developmental or health concerns for that infant.

We advocate breast feeding and advise Mums on improving diet, winding strategies, settling techniques, sleeping strategies and also use gentle Osteopathic non-manipulative technique to relax babies.

For specific presentations we may refer within our practice to the naturopath for additional support.

Dry Needling

 

Dry Needling therapy began around the early 1900's but quickly developed as a useful and very safe treatment option for patients suffering from soft tissue pain and sports injuries.

Dry Needling is useful in relieving pain originating from many sources especially local muscle trigger points also known as Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrP's).

Placing an acupuncture needle into MTrP’s relieves pain. It causes release of endorphins, increases the blood supply to the region & causes relaxation of muscle fibres