Inner Health Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic “hands on” health care system.

Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare, which recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. Osteopaths focus on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function as a holistic unit.

Using skilled evaluation, diagnosis and a wide range of hands-on techniques, osteopaths can identify important types of dysfunction in your body. 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.

Osteopathic treatment is generally considered safe but occasionally it may cause adverse reactions in some people.

In Australia, osteopaths are governed and registered with AHPRA. They complete five years accredited university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general healthcare 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 examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and by Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plans. Osteopaths are registered providers for DVA patients, as well as by State workers’ compensation schemes and motor accident insurers.

Copyright © 2017 Osteopathy Australia

What Do Osteopaths Treat?

Osteopathic treatment may provide symptomatic relief from musculoskeletal conditions such as:

• Postural and mobility problems7,8


• Joint pain (including shoulder, elbow, wrist & hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot)7,8


• Back and neck pain1,2,3,7,8


• Sports injuries7,8


• Repetitive strain injury (RSI) including muscle strains and tendinopathy7,11


• Headaches5,6,7

Osteopaths may provide symptomatic relief with the musculoskeletal components of:

• Arthritis7


• Migraines5,6


• Sciatica7,8


• Asthma9,10


• Symptoms caused by pregnancy4


• Neuralgia and tension7


• Disc prolapse or herniation7,8

Osteopaths may also provide ergonomic advice, stress management strategies and exercise programs as part of a holistic management plan.

Initial Osteopathy Consultation

The initial consultation with an osteopath will consist of taking a complete medical history through which the osteopath will ask questions about the patient’s lifestyle, presenting symptoms and any past accidents or trauma. This will be followed by some orthopaedic and neurological testing where indicated to help the osteopath eliminate possible underlying pathologies and to reach a final diagnosis. Finally the osteopath will discuss the diagnosis and commence a tailored management program with the patient. Initial osteopathic consultations may take up to one hour.

Subsequent Osteopathy Consultation

In a subsequent consultation, the osteopath will begin by noting any change in the symptoms presented in the initial presenting complaint. After doing so, the osteopath may ask the patient to perform some simple motions through which the osteopath will compare the patient’s state to that of the initial consultation, and check that their progress is as expected. The osteopath with then commence the management that they see most suitable. Subsequent osteopathic consultations are 30 minutes.

Payment method

Payment is due at the time of your consultation. Cash, cheque, EFTPOS, VISA and Mastercard are accepted.

HICAPS

With our HICAPS facility on site, we can directly claim your rebate from your health insurance extras. Please bring your health insurance membership card with you to each appointment and your claim amount will be deducted from the total consultation cost. The amount you can claim on each consultation varies with funds and memberships, so please contact your health fund for full details of cover for osteopathy.

Rebates from Medicare

The GP’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan allows patients with chronic (long-standing) conditions to claim a rebate from Medicare for up to five Allied Health treatments per year. A referral from your medical practitioner is required to qualify for this program. Please consult with your doctor to determine if your condition qualifies you.

WorkSafe (WorkCover), TAC and DVA

Inner Health Osteopathy is an approved service provider for WorkSafe and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) insurance claims and DVA.

References

1. Rubinstein, S. M., van Middelkoop, M., Assendelft, W. J., de Boer, M. R., & van Tulder, M. W. (2011). Spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low-back pain: an update of a Cochrane review. Spine, 36(13), E825-E846. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21593658


2. Licciardone, J. C., Brimhall, A. K., & King, L. N. (2005). Osteopathic manipulative treatment for low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 6(1), 43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1208896/


3. Gross, A., Langevin, P., Burnie, S. J., Bédard‐Brochu, M. S., Empey, B., Dugas, E., … & Brønfort, G. (2015). Manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain contrasted against an inactive control or another active treatment. The Cochrane Library. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26397370


4. Licciardone, J. C., Buchanan, S., Hensel, K. L., King, H. H., Fulda, K. G., & Stoll, S. T. (2010). Osteopathic manipulative treatment of back pain and related symptoms during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 202(1), 43-e1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19766977


5. Posadzki, P., & Ernst, E. (2012). Spinal manipulations for tension-type headaches: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 20(4), 232-239. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22579436


6. Chaibi, A., Tuchin, P. J., & Russell, M. B. (2011). Manual therapies for migraine: a systematic review. The journal of headache and pain, 12(2), 127-133. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072494/


7. Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R., Leininger, B., & Triano, J. (2010). Effectiveness of manual therapies: the UK evidence report. Chiropractic & Manual Therapies, 18(1), 3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841070/


8. Brooks, P., March, L., Bogduk, N., Bellamy, N., Spearing, N., Fraser, M., … & Coghlan, R. (2003). Evidence-based management of acute musculoskeletal pain. Australian Academic Press. https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/cp94-cp95


9. Esnouf, M. (2004). The effect of osteopathic treatment on lung function in children with asthma: a case study(Doctoral dissertation, Victoria University). http://vuir.vu.edu.au/794/1/Esnouf_et.al_2005.pdf


10. Lago, R. M. V., daSilva Filho, M. A. F., & Nery dosSantos, A. C. (2015). Effect of osteopathic maneuvers in the treatment of asthma: review of literature. Manual Therapy, Posturology & Rehabilitation Journal= Revista Manual Therapy, 13. http://www.mtprehabjournal.com/files/v13nx/mtpAR1315262.pdf


11. Küçükşen, S., Yilmaz, H., Sallı, A., & Uğurlu, H. (2013). Muscle energy technique versus corticosteroid injection for management of chronic lateral epicondylitis: randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 94(11), 2068-2074. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23796685/