FAQs

No, osteopaths are primary contact practitioners so no doctor’s referral is necessary. However, Osteopaths are always willing to work in with other practitioners to achieve what is best for the patient.

This will depend on the nature of your problem and how complex it is. Obviously long standing conditions will take more time. As a rule of thumb uncomplicated problems can usually be resolved within four to six treatment sessions. Your goals and a treatment plan will be discussed with you. To achieve the best results it is advisable to follow any exercise, ergonomic or dietary advice which is given in addition to the treatment sessions.

Members of Osteopathy Australia take up a voluntary code of ethics which ensures the highest standards of practice. They are also required to undertake continuing education programmes each year to keep them up to date with advances in Osteopathy as well as medical and other sciences.

Yes, we have onsite parking available. This is located at the side of our building. Just press the “12″ then “bell” and we will raise the boom gate for you.

At your first consultation you will be required to fill out some paper work. This will include information about your contact details, lifestyle, medication and information about past accidents or illnesses. All this is necessary background information which the osteopath will use in establishing why you have the problem you are presenting with.  After this the Osteopath will take your case history and conduct a physical examination including osteopathic and standard medical procedures. Some disrobing may be required for examination and treatment gowns are supplied for female clients. Your Osteopath will arrange for further medical tests, such as X-rays, only if indicated.

This is always a difficult question to answer definitively because so many practitioners vary in their treatment approach. However to generalise, Osteopaths tend to spend longer in their treatment sessions and treat less often that Chiropractors. They also tend to spend more time in the treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments and tendons) of the body as well as treating the joints. There are also a number of treatment techniques utilised which are unique to Osteopathy.

Again, this is a difficult question as treatment approaches vary among physiotherapists. Many physiotherapist use machines in treatment such as ultrasound, interferential etc. whereas osteopaths emphasise manual techniques and spend the whole session working on the patient. i.e they won’t leave the room with you attached to a machine. Some Physiotherapists undergo further training in manipulation however the patient management approach is generally different with osteopaths using different techniques and usually looking beyond the symptomatic area. The undergraduate training of Osteopaths is also longer than that of a physiotherapist.

Any comparison between Osteopathy and other professions is not meant to necessarily imply that osteopathic treatment is superior, only that a different approach to treatment is utilised.

Yes, rebates depend on which health fund you belong to and what level of cover you have. Claims can be processed electronically at the time of treatment.

No. The title Osteopath is protected by law. Only those registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency are entitled to practice as Osteopaths.