FAQ

Osteopathy is a form of manual treatment that looks and treats the body as one  functioning unit. Treatment focus is based on restoring balance and function, which will encourage the body to heal and work optimally. Osteopaths treat all parts of the body and needs to take into account all systems including musculoskeletal, neurological, circulatory, immune and organ systems.

The body is one complex machine. Therefore, learning how the body works structurally and functionally and treating it accordingly, will give the body a chance to rectify problem quickly with less hassle.

Osteopathy doesn’t only look at your body but is open to everything and anything around you.  Looking at the bigger picture is the key to good treatment.

Osteopathy bases itself on a few principles. These are:

1. The body is a unit. – The body is made out of several mechanisms and structures, but all work together as one.

2. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated –The Structure of your body (muscles, bones, joints) are related to the bodies functions (organs, cell function, movement etc.). Problems with structure or function can affect one another.

3. The body is capable of self-regulatory, self-healing and is capable of repairing and defending itself. – The body is an amazing machine. It has everything it needs to take on the world. It has its own soldiers to combat anything foreign that it may take as a threat. It has its own “pharmacy”  which is capable of treating and repairing itself.

Osteopathy originated from a doctor in America by the name of Dr. Taylor Still. His father was also a Doctor, minister and Farmer. Dr. Taylor Still’s fascination in Osteopathy was slowly developed since his childhood. As a Child, he used to suffer from severe headaches. He found that by lying on his back with his neck leaning against a rope eased the headaches. This, alongside other discoveries was the catalyst of his new train of thinking.

Dr Still wanted to find another way of treatment other than that which western medicine was offering (medications). It was only after the death of his three children from meningitis, in which his traditional medicine could not save, that his ambition to establish Osteopathy took off.

In 1874, Osteopathy  was introduced to the public. Other doctors who took interest assisted in teaching students. Today Osteopathy goes hand in hand with medicine in America and is seen as a speciality which can be elected after a students medical degree.

Yes, Osteopathy was developed by Doctors and in the U.S is regarded as a specialty. Osteopaths are highly educated, with 5 years of study, completing all major medical subjects, some of which include Pathology, anatomy, biochemistry and physiology, histology, neuroscience, histology, biology, embryology, pediatrics, obstetrics, geriatrics, spinal Anatomy, herbology, rehabilitation, cranial etc. In Australia Osteopaths complete studies which include 3 year undergraduate study and 2 years masters postgraduate study, which may include research and thesis.

It is important to tell in practitioner what you are taking and advice you are receiving. Treatment can interact with other treatments, so informing us will help tailor treatments in accordance to what else other treatments or medication you may be taking.

At your first consultation which may last up to one hour, your osteopath will ask questions about your problem and symptoms. They may also ask questions about your medical history, any medications you are taking, as well as factors that may not appear to be directly related to your problem. If your medical condition changes between appointments you should tell your osteopath at your next consultation. Your osteopath may also conduct a full osteopathic examination and if necessary, clinical tests to help determine how best to manage your condition. Your osteopath may also provide education and advice to help you manage your condition between appointments. This may include giving you exercise to do at home or work. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter, and depending on your condition, they can take up to 25-40 minutes. Your osteopath will deliver a treatment. Osteopathic treatment uses techniques such as stretching and massage for general treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) along with mobilisation of specific joints and soft tissues.

This answer cannot be generalized. The diagnosis and treatment for each patient is individual and is determined on your current health, the extent of and severity of the condition you are presenting with. After taking a case History and examination, we will be able to tell you what it will take to treat your condition.

No. The body has everything it needs to look after itself and maintain itself. If you follow simple stretches and exercises and maintain your health, your body will do the rest. Maintenance treatments may be helpful in certain circumstances. If this is the case, I usually tell my patient to read their body clock. No one understands your body like yourself. So reading your own body will tell you when you may need a treatment or not. Maintenance treatments don’t have to be at regular intervals either. You may not need treatment for months at a time. And sometimes you may need more frequent treatments. As an practitioner, my goal is to get you back to good health and see you off. I’m not in the business of getting you to come for nothing.

If you read the previous question on what is Osteopathy, you will understand how amazing our body is. It has everything it needs to fix, heal and repair itself. Simply amazing!! This is why when we get injured and get pain, out body immediately goes into repair mode, trying to fix and compensate for what just happened. However, sometimes trying to fix and compensate for something can leave joints, bones and muscles still out of place. The body just works around it. In this circumstance, this parts of your body stays underlying, which can trigger later or make other parts of your body to follow suit and change its position, which may give you pains in different places.

Osteopathy is regulated and safe. In Australia, Osteopaths are government registered 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.