Altona Meadows Osteopathy & Healthcare Clinic

OSTEOPATHY

A UNIQUE PHILOSOPHY OF CARE

ABOUT US

At Altona Meadows Osteopathy & Healthcare Clinic we provide you with a holistic approach to your health needs. The director of the clinic is an experienced Osteopath who has worked at a number of different clinics before developing a clinic of her own.

We aim to provide safe and effective treatment to assist you with your complaint but more so to prevent its reoccurrence.

We treat a range of complaints from acute to chronic pains and injuries. If you have a chronic complaint you may be eligible for Medicare rebate under the "Extended Primary Care" scheme. You need to speak to you Dr. about this and obtain a referral. Otherwise no referral is needed.

The clinic also offers Kinesiology and Remedial Massage Therapy. We have also developed a referral network to include podiatry, musculoskeletal specialists and other healthcare providers to offer you the best care possible.

No matter what your complaint is we’ll go out of our way to assist you in your recovery.

To good health!
The team at Altona Meadows Osteopathy and Healthcare Clinic


YOUR OSTEOPATH
Dr. Rose Pirritano has worked in a number of clinics around Melbourne but wanted to develop her own clinic so Altona Meadows Osteopathy & Healthcare Clinic was established.

Rose graduated from Victoria University where she completed a double degree in a Bachelor of Science and then a Master of Health Science in Osteopathy. Her thesis focused on Osteopathic treatment on women who suffered from period pain. Her research showed positive results for the management of this condition.

Rose also worked with local football and soccer clubs to prevent and treat sporting injuries.

Rose sees a range of complaints but lower back pain has to be the most prevalent. Rose is passionate about her work and enjoys treating all areas of the body including sports related complaints, headaches & pregnant women- “you gain a great sense of satisfaction when you have helped someone with relieving their pain”.

Rose’s next venture will be to complete a Masters degree in Paediatric Osteopathy and further her studies in pilates. Also in May this year Rose completed a Dry Needling course, phone the clinic to find out how this combined with osteopathy may help you.

Rose finds time out by running and painting abstract art.

CAN WE HELP YOU?

Do you sit at a desk all day- are your shoulders and neck tight- do you suffer from eye strain and head-aches?

Does your work or day involve a lot of lifting, bending, twisting or repetitive movements which are causing you to have lower back pain, and other repetitive strains and pains?

Do you play sports or are you active and have sports related injuries or concerns?

Are you pregnant or considering becoming pregnant and have lower back or other pains or want to make sure that your body and spine is moving and functioning to the best of it's ability?

Have you just had a baby and want to make sure that he or she is progressing ok?

Are you eldery and have aches and pains or arthritis?

Do you just feel as though you need a tune up?

Do you suffer from period pain, migraines, digestive problems carpal tunnel?

***IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS THEN WHY DON'T YOU PHONE THE CLINIC TO FIND OUT HOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU***

SO WHAT HAPPENS ON YOUR FIRST VISIT?
Please arrive at least 10mins early so that you can fill out the necessary forms. Your first visit will go for approximately 45mins-1hr. You will be asked to fill out a health screen questionnaire which will help to give your osteopath an overall picture of your general health and provide you with the best possible care. This will be discussed with your osteopath. If needed, investigations such as blood pressure checks or neurological exams will be performed.
Your Osteopath will then perform a structural exam of your posture, spine, joints and muscles. Restrictions in movement and/or pain during movement as well as tenderness will be looked for.
Once this is complete the information gained from your history as well as the exam will allow your Osteopath to come up with a provisional diagnosis and treatment plan.
Subsequent treatments will be 30mins.

TREATMENT
Your treatment may involve a number of different techniques depending on your condition and is tailored to your specific needs. All treatment will be explained and if it is thought to be contra-indicated then it will not be performed.
Management may also include postural, ergonomic and core stability advice.
The goal of the treatment is to deal with the source of your problem and provide you with the knowledge and advice that you need to prevent its recurrence.

TAC, workcover and DVA patients are all welcome at the clinic.
We are part of EPC program (Extended primary care)- Dr. referral for EPC is necessary

HICAPS and EFT is also available

**OPEN HOURS- OSTEOPATHY:
Mon: 9-7pm
Tues: 9-7pm
Wed: 9-12pm
Thurs: 9-7pm
Fri: 9-5pm
Sat: 9-12pm

(If urgent attention is needed outside these hours please phone the clinic)

FAQ's

- Do I need a Dr’s referral to see an Osteopath?

No, you don’t need a Dr.’s referral unless you are claiming from DVA or have been referred by your Dr. as an EPC patient.


- Do you treat work cover (W/C), Comcare, transport accident commission (TAC), department of veterans affairs clients (DVA) or extended primary care (EPC)clients?

Yes all of these are accepted at the clinic. You do not need a referral if you are claiming from Work cover, Comcare or TAC. Veterans affairs clients need a Dr’s referral every 12 months. You can claim up to 5 visits per year with Medicare under the EPC program, however you must first be referred by your Dr. and this only applies to chronic conditions. Medicare will pay approximately $47.85 of your visit.


- Should i bring any scans or x-rays that i've had with me?

Yes, always bring x-rays or any other scans/test results you have recently had to your visits.


- What if I need an off work certificate?

An osteopath can provide an incapacity certificate which will usually be accepted by your employer in the same way as a medical doctors certificate. Osteopaths can provide ongoing certificates of incapacity for Workcover patients.


- What if I don’t like having my neck or back being manipulated (cracked)?

This will never under any circumstance be forced upon you. Your osteopath will explain the benefits and risks associated with any procedure and allow you to make your own decision. Your osteopath will inform you on and explain any technique being performed. Because we are armed with an array of techniques we don’t have to “crack” your joints if you are uncomfortable with this.


- Will I be sore after my treatment?

There is a chance that for the first 48hrs after your treatment you will experience tenderness associated with your treatment. This will not happen to every-one but c be a common occurrence. This is because treatment is similar to a minor form of injury so that when the healing process occurs it will heal in the correct way. Not dissimilar to pain experienced after a work out.


- Can I claim the treatment straight onto my health insurance?

Yes, we have hicaps available at the clinic so you can claim your treatments on the spot.



- How many treatments will I need?

This will depend how long you have had your problem. Generally speaking the longer you have had your problem the more treatments you will need. However you should experience some relief or change in your problem eg. Feeling looser after just a couple of visits. Usually 3 treatments are suggested for longer problems and then your osteopath will reasses you and decide if there should be ongoing tretament or furhter investigation if there is no change in your symptoms.


- What should i wear to the appointment?

It is best if you could wear comfortable and loose fitting cloting such as a tracksuite, preferably no jeans.

REMEDIAL / SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Remedial massage is a natural, manual (hands-on) therapy used in the treatment and prevention of many muskuloskeletal problems causing pain and stiffness.

If you're experiencing any form of pain it may be restricting your physical activity, which in turn interferes with your daily activities leading to lethargy and irritability. Sometimes you may only have a relatively minor injury, however if this is not treated appropriately at an early stage it can sometimes lead to a more serious condition in the long term. "Early" intervention is the key.

Therefore when you visit us at the clinic we will help the body to heal itself.

Our aim is to help to remove the cause of your pain allowing increased mobility, flexibility, improved posture and strength to allow you to enjoy life again.

The benefits of treatment are not just for sports people, it is available for all people of all ages and activity levels.


Craig Murchie is a qualified remedial massage specialist and has been practicing since 2002. He has lectured in remedial therapies and is a registered member of the AAMT (Aust. Assoc. of massage therapists)


QUALIFICATION DETAILS
Dr. Rose Pirritano : Bachelor science (clinical science)
Master Health Science (Osteopathy)
Member Aust. Osteopathic Assoc. (AOA)










Craig Murchie: Remedial Massage Therapist
Memeber AAMT








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