Berwick Family Osteopathy & Spinal Clinic

Welcome to Berwick Family Osteopathy & Spinal Clinic!!

We are located within Casey Allied Health, and pride ourselves with excellent Osteopathic treatment and management. At Berwick Family Osteopathy we can accommodate all your needs in Osteopathy and Clinical Pilates.

Our friendly Osteopaths take a holistic approach to your treatment and excel in combining their Osteopathic and Clinical Pilates training to help with your general health and well being.

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OSTEOPATHY

What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of “hand-on” manual therapy that helps to maintain the bodies optimum function. As Osteopaths we believe that the structure and the function of the body are very closely linked. The treatment techniques used by Osteopaths are very safe and gentle. Such techniques used are: soft tissue massage and stretching, joint articulation and manipulation, muscle energy techniques, cranial and the more gentle treatment approaches such as balanced ligamentous tension. All of these techniques help to allow the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons of the body to function better. By having Osteopathic treatment, not only does your musculoskeletal system benefit but so do other systems of the body such as your circulatory and digestive systems.

What training do Osteopaths undertake?
As an Osteopath is Australia, we complete a five year full time university degree. This includes a three year Bachelor degree and then a two year Masters degree. During the course we study a range of subjects, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical diagnosis & management and a range of different osteopathic techniques. This allows us to diagnose, treat and manage a range of different conditions using a holistic approach.

Do I need a referral to see an Osteopath?
Generally No. The only time you will require a referral is from your GP if you want to claim thru the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Plan. This is for Chronic pain or illness and is set up by your GP. You are entitled to 5 Medicare rebated treatments.

Is Osteopathy covered through my private health insurance?
Yes, osteopathic treatment is covered under the ‘extras’ scheme by most major health funds. Please call your fund if you have any queries as to how much your rebate is, as all health funds give a slightly different rebate depending on the type of cover you have.
Berwick Family Osteopathy & Spinal Clinic is able to offer ‘on the spot’ rebates through our HICAPS electronic machine system.

Common complaints treated by Osteopaths:
Neck & Back Pain
Headaches & Migraines
Hip, Knee & Ankle Pain
Shoulder, Elbow & Wrist Pain
Sports Injuries
Jaw Pain
Work-related injuries
Muscle strains & Tendinitis
Pregnancy related Pain
Arthritic Conditions
Stress related tension
Postural related Pain
Digestive Problems
Asthma & Breathing Difficulties
Gynecological problems

Who will benefit from Osteopathic Treatment?
Adults
Women & Men
Pregnant Women
Children
Babies
Elderly

What can you expect during you initial consultation?
Your initial consultation will last for 45-60 minutes. During this time a thorough history and examination will be undertaken to establish a good understanding of how your whole body is functioning and come up with a precise diagnosis. This is then followed by your treatment. The final stage of your consultation is spent advising you on how you can best manage your body. This may be a set stretching or strengthening exercises, or maybe even some advice into nutrition and diet, posture or exercise.

BERWICK FAMILY OSTEOPATHY & SPINAL CLINIC OFFERS OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT WITH THE FOLLOWING PRACTITIONERS:

Dr Lauren Collins
Dr Alicia Mynott
Dr Claire Richardson



Casey Allied Health Opening Hours:
Monday: 8.30am – 5pm
Tuesday: 8.30am – 8pm
Wednesday: 8.30am – 6pm
Thursday: 8.30am – 8pm
Friday: 8.30am – 5pm
Saturday: 9 - 1pm

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CLINICAL PILATES

What is Clinical Pilates?
Clinical Pilates is a mixture between recent spinal stability research and the original work of Joseph Pilates. Clinical pilates helps to improve and correct the motor control of the deep stabilizing muscles primarily involved in the spine, shoulder girdle and abdomen. This is achieved initially by a series of Pilates mat exercises, progressing to the spring-loaded reformer machine. Using spring loaded resistance instead of free-weights, it enables the focus to be on muscle control rather than muscle strength. Each set of exercises are tailored to the individual patient.

What are the benefits of doing Clinical Pilates?

• To prevent back, shoulder and extremity pain
• To improve posture and flexibility
• Better your trunk stabilizers
• Increase control & strength of the abdominal stabilizing muscles
• Correct poor biomechanics
• Prevent injury or rehabilitate after injury
• Overall improve the body’s muscular tone
• Increase balance

Who will benefit from Clinical Pilates?

• Adults: Men & Women
• Pregnant Women
• Children
• Elderly

What to expect in an initial Clinical Pilates Session?
Your initial consultation will last for 45-60 minutes. During this time a thorough history and examination will be undertaken to establish a good understanding of how your whole body is functioning and come up with a precise diagnosis. From here the Osteopath will set up a personally tailored program for you. This will contain exercises that you can undertake on the floor in your own home and exercises to do on the reformer. A minimum of 3-4 sessions is advisable to perfect and refine your exercises.

Is Clinical Pilates covered through my private health insurance?
Yes, Clinical Pilates is covered through your Osteopathic treatment. It is covered under the ‘extras’ scheme by most major health funds. The Clinic is able to offer ‘on the spot’ rebates through our HICAPS electronic machine system.


BERWICK FAMILY OSTEOPATHY & SPINAL CLINIC OFFERS CLINICAL PILATES WITH THE FOLLOWING PRACTITIONER:

Dr Lauren Collins

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PRACTITIONERS

Dr. Lauren Collins
Registered Osteopath
Lauren is a friendly and caring qualified Osteopath and member of the Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA). She graduated from Victoria University in 2007. Having competed in various sports around the Berwick area, ranging from softball and netball to jazz, tap and ballet dancing from a young age, Lauren understands the demands placed on the bodies of athletes of varying ages. Lauren gains satisfaction in passing on rehabilitation, strengthening and stretching exercises to allow her patients to excel in their sporting lives.

Throughout her sporting life and career, Lauren has developed a keen interest in sports medicine, having gained invaluable experience through working with the Victorian Men’s Softball Association in the lead up too and during their 2004 and 2005 National tournaments, as well as working extensively with the Cheltenham Football Club and Bentleigh Uniting Cricket Club treating a wide range of conditions. Lauren enjoys treating sportsmen and women of vary degrees and abilities and believes in utilising her skills in manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and soft tissue techniques to enhance their performance, and education and advice into injury management and prevention.

Lauren has completed further study into the field of Paediatrics and Obstetrics. Lauren has a keen interest in the treatment of pregnant women, babies and children of varying ages. Lauren has also undertaken further studies with DMA (Dance Medicine Australia) into Clinical Pilates. Lauren takes a holistic approach to your treatment and excels in combining her Osteopathic and Clinical Pilates training to help with your general health and well being.

Lauren uses a range of Osteopathic techniques to obtain excellent results with her patients. These include, soft tissue massage and stretching, articulation and manipulation, and more gentle techniques such as cranial osteopathy and balanced ligamentous tension. Lauren is looking forward to furthering her studies in the coming months, when she travels to Sydney to study Osteopathy in the Cranial Field.


Dr Alicia Mynott
Registered Osteopath
Alicia originally graduated from RMIT University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement where she first became interested and exposed to the field of osteopathy. Having been treated herself by Osteopaths she then continued her education at RMIT and graduated in 2006 with a Masters in Osteopathy. Whilst completing her studies Alicia worked for two years as a remedial massage therapist, gaining valuable clinical and hands-on experience in massage therapy.

After two years working in Melbourne, Alicia then moved to Ireland for 3 years, working in multiple clinics around the east coast of Ireland. This experience not only exposed Alicia to different styles of osteopathy and a different culture but she also did a lot of travel around Europe.

Alicia has an interest in all types of conditions, in particular patients who have been suffering from neck and low back pain, headaches, repetitive strain injuries and arthritic conditions. Her history as an athlete in state and national competitions also gives her first hand appreciation of sports injuries as well.

Alicia employs a wide range of techniques, including soft tissue massage, trigger point therapy, mobilization, exercise advice, with each treatment specifically tailored to your individual needs.


Dr Claire Richardson
Registered Osteopath
Claire is a passionate and caring Osteopath and a member of the Australian Osteopathy Association (AOA). Throughout her childhood and adolescence, Claire had her sights firmly fixed on studying Medicine. However, when she discovered Osteopathy at age 16, she was a convert. Claire enjoys the challenge that practicing Osteopathy provides and the variety and extent of cases that she is able to assist with.

Claire completed her studies at Victoria University in Melbourne. As part of her final year Masters qualification, Claire had the opportunity to produce a research paper, which focussed on the effects of Osteopathic treatment on the Central Nervous System, which produced positive results.

Whilst at university, Claire worked as a sports trainer with a variety of Football Clubs, which offered her valuable experience of the treatment of sports injuries. Claire has previously been involved in Netball teams, and has watched family and friends at varying levels of sporting competition. As such, she has an appreciation for the injuries that may arise from being involved in sport.

Claire is interested in treating a variety of conditions. In particular, She enjoys assisting injured athletes return to sport through exercise and rehabilitation prescription. She also has a special interest in the treatment of TMJ disorder (Jaw pain) and headaches.

Claire uses a variety of techniques to provide the best results for her patients. These include soft tissue, articulation, stretching, manipulation and many others. Claire is also committed to providing accurate and beneficial advice to her patients regarding rehabilitation exercises, nutrition and other lifestyle factors.

In her spare time, Claire enjoys walking her dog along the beach near her home on the Mornington Peninsula, and spending time with family and friends.



Berwick Family Osteopathy & Spinal Clinic
At Casey Allied Health
54 Kangan Dve,
Berwick VIC 3806

Ph: (03) 8774 9600
Fax: (03) 8774 9611

Website: www.berwickfamilyosteopathy.com.au
Email: info@berwickfamilyosteopathy.com.au