Osteopaths primarily manage and treat musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders. They may provide musculoskeletal and nervous system assessments, manual therapy, individualised exercise prescription and movement and postural advice. They may also offer other therapeutic treatments such as dry needling and myofascial cupping. They will often provide you with advice and ongoing support with lifestyle, stress management, diet and other factors which influence your pain.

A consultation with an osteopath will typically include:

• A thorough case history including questions about the nature of your pain and how it is affecting you
• Musculoskeletal and nervous system assessments
• Hands-on treatment techniques may include:
  • Soft Tissue Massage Techniques
  • Articulation Techniques – gentle rhythmic joint movements
  • Muscle Energy Techniques – encouraging muscles to work against resistance
  • Spinal Manipulation Techniques
  • Dry Needling
  • Myofascial Cupping
• Exercise prescription and advice to help rehabilitate and prevent injuries
• Management strategies you can use at home to help ease your pain

Generally, osteopaths will have a stronger focus on hands-on techniques and physiotherapists will have a stronger focus on exercise rehabilitation. However, this will depend on the practitioner you see as there is some overlap between professions and the way they practice. Osteopaths will look at your body as a whole. For example when treating back pain an osteopath may assess your hips, knees and ankles to help find the source of the pain. They will also ask about lifestyle and environmental factors that may be influencing the way you experience pain.

No, in Australia you do not need a referral to see an allied health professional such as an osteopath, although it is often helpful for you to bring as much information about your health history as well as any specific medical or surgical details that relate to your reason for seeing an osteopath. There are a few exceptions to this, where you will need to obtain a referral from your GP prior to attending our clinic. This includes:

• Workers compensation claims
• CTP (Third Party) Road Accident Claims
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claims
• Medicare Claims (e.g. Chronic Disease Management referral)