Cronulla Osteopathic Centre

Osteopathic evaluation of the patient is firstly concerned with ruling out serious pathology, then with the physical and psychological stresses on the body, effects of trauma and aging on the body, and the way the body is adjusting to (compensating for) these effects. Osteopathic treatment aims to improve circulation, reduce muscle spasm, improve and maintain flexibility, maintain nerve supply, and restore muscle and joint function and equilibrium. The techniques used to achieve these goals are soft-tissue massage, joint manipulation postural rehabilitation and education on diet, exercise and lifestyle.
is osteopathy new?
The modern roots of osteopathy date back to 1872. Dr. A.T. Still, a physician, believed that the body contained the elements necessary for its own healing. He developed a system for stimulating the immune system naturally.
osteopathy & medicine
Osteopathy and medicine both use scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Both use clinical methods of investigation & both require extensive training. Most osteopaths do not see themselves as an “alternative” to medicine, but as a compliment to it. In this way patients can be assured of receiving safe and thorough treatment.
osteopathy vs chiro & physio
The main difference between osteopathy and other manual therapies is the underlying principle that all of the body’s systems are interrelated. Osteopaths therefore tend to treat the body more completely, use a vast array of techniques and generally conduct longer treatments than most manual therapists.
who can benefit?
People with problems such as:

• posture/mobility problems
• back/neck pain arthritis joint pain
• sports/other injuries
• RSI
• head pain
• sciatica
• breathing difficulties
• asthma
• digestive problems
• gynaecological problems
• lowered immune system

Is it available under Medicare?
Medicare covers some osteopathic treatments with a referral from a GP. Many private health funds give rebates, most of which are claimed on the spot at the Centre.

At cronulla osteopathic centre we offer a wide range of massage services including remedial, sports, therapeutic, trigger point, chinese, shiatsu, accupressure, myofascial release and bowen therapy.
Our massage therapists are registered with most major health funds. For further details please cantact your health fund with the detail of our practitioners.
why is massage essential?
IIf any of your muscles become too tight or slack, then your posture will be compromised because other structures need to compensate. Over time this can cause dysfunction, discomfort and imbalance as well as restricting normal range of movement.
Massage therapy relaxes and stretches muscles that are too tight, however those that are too slack can be stimulated and toned. Massage also helps to prevent muscle atrophy (wasting away of muscle tissue).
the endless benefits include:

• Relaxation and stress relief
• Relief of Pain: including muscular, headaches and abdominal pain
• Improved joint mobility
• Improved circulation aiding digestion and the removal of waste products from the body
• Improved circulation and nutrition to joints, muscles and connective tissue
• Injuries; to assist recovery and reduce fibrosis, adhesions and scar tissue.
• increase to the ease and efficiency of movement

what can benefit from massage?

• Headaches
• Back pain
• Muscular injuries
• Tight muscles limiting joint activity
• Any chronic muscle or joint pain
• Digestive disorders
• Chronic fatigue
• Depression
• Allergies
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Stress
• Circulatory problems
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Sinusitis
• Sports Injuries (including pulled/strained muscles)
• Menopause and pre-menstrual tension
• Other medical conditions (as advised)

A nutrition consultation explores the biochemical imbalances and possible diet and lifestyle patterns that may be behind an underlying illness. You are encouraged to be an active participant in achieving balance, health and well-being through education and support.
Your first consultation will take up to 1½ hours. Prior to the consultation, you will receive a detailed health/issues questionnaire and diet diary. This gives you more of an insight into your current situation and allows more time for further investigation during the consultation.
At the consultation, we will discuss your answers to the questionnaire and explore your current health situation. From this we will prioritise your current goals and objectives so that the best outcome can be achieve.
A full report is written reinforcing the consultation discussion and further explaining the treatment recommendations. A shopping and eating plan is included with key recipes and other resources to help you achieve your main goals and objectives.
You will also be given a resource folder containing information on common disorder profiles and general treatment guidelines. As well as diet sheets, recipes and Information on different diet types.
A Nutritionist can help you with

• Times of change and development such as adolescence, pregnancy and peri-menopause/andropause.
• Enhancing strength, focus & energy for Sports / Training; for endurance, fitness, a particular event or just fun.
• Healthy Weight Management
• Low Energy and Feeling Tired All the Time
• Recovery from illness
• Fast lifestyle, constant stress, no time to eat properly
• “Tummy problems” - bloating, gas, pain or discomfort
• Chronic pain or discomfort in bones or joints
• Non-specific symptoms or just “not feeling quite right”
• Learning about food and why you need to eat
• Enhancing general health and wellbeing

Traditional Chinese Medicine is an ancient healing system that aims to restore and maintain health by balancing energy within the body.
Historically, the Chinese proposed that every living thing is sustained by a balance of two opposing forces of energy, called Yin and Yang. Together, they determine the nature of energy that flows through the body via channels called meridians. When Yin and Yang are out of balance in the body, this causes qi disharmony and subsequent illness.
For diagnostic purposes, Yin and Yang are further subdivided into interior and exterior, hot and cold, deficiency and excess. TCM philosophy also proposes that energy within the body is also composed of 5 Elements: fire, earth, metal, water and wood, and hence mainfest particular characteristics. Chinese Medicine is an intricate and complex system based on the above philosphy, and optimal health involves a balanced relationship between these elements within our body. Practitioners of TCM begin treatment by diagnosing a patient through interviews, and close examinations of the pulse, tongue and the body.
TCM strives not only to help relieve the symptoms of disease but also alleviate the underlying causes. To do this, TCM employs numerous tools which primarily include: Acupuncture, Tuina (Massage), Herbal Medicine, Dietary and lifestyle advice, Moxibuston, Cupping, and Gua Sha.

TCM is commonly used to treat a wide range of disorders such as:

• Digestive problems
• Musculo-skeletal disorders
• Eczema and psoriasis
• Gynaecological disorders and infertility
• Hepatic (liver) disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Stress and psychological disorders
• Hormonal imbalances
• Allergies and autoimmune disorders

Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine gauge surgical steel needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture points are part of an extensive system of meridians which traverse the entire body (internally and externally). Each acupoint can have a specific effect on the energy (or qi) within our body when stimulated. Acupuncture aims to restore homeostasis, basically harmonising the qi within our body.

Tuina (Massage)
Based on the meridian and acupoint system, Chinese acupressure and massage use manual techniques to stimulate energy and blood flow witihin the body.

Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese Herbal Medicines are mainly plant based, but some preparations include minerals or animal products. They can be packaged as powders, pastes, lotions or tablets, depending on the herb and its intended use. Different herbs have different properties (pharmacological and energetic) and hence have specific actions within the body.

Moxibustion
Moxibustion refers to the burning of the Artemesia Vulgaris herb (mugwort). Suppliers usually age the mugwort and grind it up to a fluff or process it further into a stick that resembles a (non-smokable) cigar, and it becomes known as moxa.
The fluff is moulded into a cone or placed into a Moxa Box (which allows the heat and energy of the burning moxa to penetrate large areas of the body). The moxa cones may also be placed onto slices of ginger or salt, and are removed before burning the skin. Alternatively, a burning moxa stick is positioned over an area of the body, or an acupuncture point. Specially prepared moxa may also be placed on top of a needle after its insertion, to warm and further stimulatie the acupoint.
Practitioners use moxa with the intention of strengthening blood and qi within the body, and stimulating its circulation. For example, various scientific research has shown that mugwort acts as an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood-flow in the pelvic area and uterus. Hence, it is particularly known for its ability to significantly increases foetal movements in pregnant women and alleviate menstrual cramps. Moxibustion is also used to treat inflammation, bruising, and deficient conditions.

Cupping
Cupping involves the attachment of glass (or bamboo) cups to specific areas of the body with suction. This suction is the result of a vacuum, which is generated by inserting the flame from a burning alcohol swab in an upside-down cup. The flame is removed, then the cup is placed quickly onto the skin, where it is held in place by the suction created.
Cupping therapy stimulates blood circulation. Cupping also disperses and moves qi by exerting suction and pressure. Cupping is used when the qi is blocked at certain points, or when qi needs to be drawn to the surface of the body from deep within. For instance, cupping is used to treat lung infections and colds, because it is believed that the suction disperses and energizes the qi that has become blocked and stagnated in the lungs. It is also used to treat muscle and joint pain and spasms, particularly in the back.
Cupping is generally a painless procedure. More than one cup at a time may be used, and the cups may be left stationary or glided along the body to create the feeling of a deep massage. Cups are sometimes placed over acupuncture needles that have been inserted.
Cupping causes blood to be drawn to the surface of the skin, which can cause temporary red marks, swelling and bruising.

Gua Sha
Gua- meaning to scrape or extract
Sha- meaning sand or toxins.
This healing technique promotes the circulation of qi, blood to nourish tissues and shift stagnation. Gua Sha also stimulates the movement of lymphatic fluids. These fluids often contain metabolic waste that congests the surface tissues and muscles.
The method of applying Gua Sha involves the layering of Gua Sha oil on the skin. This oil is enhanced either with herbs/essential oils chosen to aid the extraction of toxic waste. The skin is then scraped using a specific Gua Sha tool.
Gua Sha creates a suction on the skin that pulls stagnant intercellular fluid to the surface, removing toxic debris, and replacing it with fresh oxygenated, nutrient rich fluid, which in turn accelerates regeneration and revitalizes the region. As the toxic fluid (Sha), floods to the surface it resembles a rash and is often hot on the area where the toxins are extracted. The exposing of the Sha is literally removing disease from deep within the system, and is temporary.
In addition to resolving musculo skeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat as well as prevent common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, as well as any chronic disorder involving pain, congestion of Qi and Blood

Studies have shown that the mental, emotional and spiritual states influence the physical body. Kinesiology is a tool that uses muscle testing to access the unconscious which is where the belief system is located. Unconscious belief systems run your day to day life, beliefs are what our family and society have told us are true or ideas that we have decided are true. Most of these ideas no longer serve us effectively; therefore we need to replace them with more useful ones.

This can be accomplished with kinesiology sessions, it’s fast and accurate because YOUR whole system will give the information that is required, ie; what needs to be addressed and cleared. Updated belief systems will give you the freedom and power to accomplish your heart’s desire and is very valuable in your spiritual development.

Stress Management
Stress management can be accomplished by recognising the triggers and belief systems that run our lives , clearing and replacing them with more useful ones. Self empowerment can then be achieved by focusing the mind, gaining greater clarity, achieving calmness which connects the whole self, mind, body and spirit

Creative Workshops
Workshops to explore the basic principle that creative expression is the natural direction Life. In this 12 week workshop you will undergo a “ Creative Recovery.”

Meditation
Meditation is a technique that focuses the mind and promotes a state of calmness so that the mind and body can be brought into greater harmony to facilitate health and healing.
Meditation courses run for 6 weeks and promote an insightful life and relaxation.

Spiritual Healing
Spiritual healing works holistically, that is on the whole self. Working through various levels, the emotional, mental and physical self creating effects that include, relaxation, centredness vitality and wellbeing.