Osteopathy: What It Is and How It Can Help You
Osteopathy is a type of healthcare that focuses on how your body moves and functions. Whether you're dealing with pain, recovering from an injury, or just want to improve your overall well-being, osteopathy can offer valuable treatments and advice to help you feel better. In this blog post, we'll explore what osteopathy is, the services osteopaths provide and when you might want to see one.
What Is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a hands-on healthcare approach that aims to treat a variety of health problems, particularly those related to the muscles, bones, and joints. Osteopaths focus on how the body moves and works, not just on one area of pain. They use a range of treatments, including manual therapy, exercise prescriptions, needling, and lifestyle advice to improve movement, reduce pain, and manage physical impairments.
When Should You See an Osteopath?
Osteopaths are trained to treat a variety of conditions, so you might want to see one if you're dealing with any of the following:
Muscle and Joint Pain: If you're struggling with neck pain, back pain, joint pain, or sports injuries, osteopaths can help assess and treat these issues.
Posture and Alignment: If you’ve noticed your posture is off or your body alignment needs improvement, osteopaths can offer guidance and tips on how to stand, sit, and move better.
Injuries from Work or Sports: Osteopaths can help you recover from injuries related to your job or sports activities and develop a plan to get you back on track.
What Services Do Osteopaths Provide?
Osteopaths offer a variety of treatments and services to help manage pain and improve your health. Here are some common services they provide:
Manual Therapy: This involves using hands-on techniques like massage, stretching, and joint mobilization to reduce pain, improve movement, and relax muscles.
Exercise and Rehabilitation: Osteopaths may suggest exercises to strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, and prevent future injuries.
Needling: Dry needling is a technique used by some osteopaths to relax tight muscles and relieve pain.
Chronic Disease Management: Osteopaths are part of Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management Program, which helps people manage long-term health conditions. For more information click here or speak to your GP.
How Are Osteopaths Qualified?
To become an osteopath in Australia, a person must complete a university degree—usually a double Bachelor’s or a combined Bachelor/Master’s program with a minimal duration of 4 and a half years. After completing their education, osteopaths must be registered with the Osteopathy Board of Australia and continue their professional development to stay updated with the latest practices under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency.
Where Do Osteopaths Work?
Osteopaths work in a range of healthcare settings, including:
Private Practices: Many osteopaths run their own clinics or work in small practice settings.
Multidisciplinary Clinics: Osteopaths often work alongside other health professionals in clinics that offer a variety of treatments.
Rehabilitation Clinics: Some osteopaths specialize in working with patients recovering from injuries or surgeries.
Sports Clubs and Aged Care Facilities: Osteopaths help athletes with sports injuries and provide support to older individuals for age-related movement issues.
Do You Need a Referral to See an Osteopath?
The good news is that you don’t need a referral to see an osteopath! You can simply book an appointment on your own. Bookings can be made online or by calling the clinic on 0426 586 255.
What to Expect During Your First Visit
When you visit an osteopath for the first time, expect the following:
Initial Consultation: Your osteopath will ask about your health, lifestyle, and any specific concerns you have. They may also perform a physical examination to assess your movement, posture, and any areas of pain.
Movement assessment and diagnosios: Your osteopath will get your perform some movements and test to come up with a working diagnosis. This helps to identify what is the main cause of your pain.
Discussion of management plan: Once we have assessed you and identified a diagnosis, we will then discuss with you about your condition. We will inform you on what is going wrong? How we can get you better? What you can do to get better? How long we expect this injury to take to heal?
Onboarding onto our app: At Osteo performance, all patients have access to our complementary app and you will mostly likely be onboard in your first session. The app will allow us to track your movement and progress, allow for the storage of exercises on your phone and allow a platform for seamless communication between patient and practitioner.
Treatment : Based on the assessment, your osteopath will then provide some treatment if indicated. This may include some: manual therapy, needling, manipulation or exercises.
Ongoing Sessions: Depending on your condition, you may need follow-up sessions. Osteopaths will monitor your progress and adjust treatments as needed.
Treatment may involve gentle techniques that may leave you feeling sore for a day or two, but this usually fades quickly. Your osteopath will guide you on what to do at home to support your recovery.
FAQ About Osteopathy
1. What conditions can osteopaths treat?
Osteopaths can treat a variety of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, sports injuries, joint pain, and pregnancy-related discomfort. They also provide support for posture, child development, and recovery from workplace injuries.
2. Is osteopathy safe?
Yes, osteopathy is generally considered safe. Osteopaths are highly trained professionals, and their treatments are tailored to each individual. However, always discuss any concerns with your osteopath before starting treatment, especially if you have any specific health conditions.
3. How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions you need will depend on your specific condition and how your body responds to treatment. Your osteopath will create a personalized treatment plan and let you know how often you should come in for follow-ups.
4. Does osteopathy hurt?
Osteopathy treatments should not be painful, but some techniques may cause temporary soreness or discomfort, especially after the first few sessions. Your osteopath will communicate with you to ensure you're comfortable during treatment.
5. Do osteopaths only treat physical injuries?
While osteopaths primarily treat musculoskeletal issues, they also offer advice on lifestyle factors such as posture, exercise, and stress management to improve your overall health and prevent future injuries.
Final Thoughts
Osteopathy is a holistic healthcare approach that can help you improve movement, reduce pain, and support your body’s natural healing processes. Whether you're dealing with back pain, recovering from a sports injury, or just want to improve your posture, an osteopath can offer practical advice and treatments to help you feel your best.
If you're ready to get started, make an booking online or by calling us on 0426 586 255.