What Is Osteopathy?
What is Osteopathy?
As the Principal Osteopath and Director at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East, Melbourne, I get asked this question a lot by many of our new patients. Most of these new patients have been referred from a friend or a relative who have advised them to try Osteopathy or to see an Osteopath for their sports injury, headaches or back and neck pain.
So, what is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy which uses a hands-on approach to healthcare. More importantly Osteopathy focuses on how your skeleton, joints, nerves and circulation work together (1). Osteopathy recognises the important link between the structures of the body and the way it functions[1].
So, to keep things simple, our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy will use a whole-body approach to treatment and may look at other parts of your body as well as the area where you are experiencing pain. For example, if you are experiencing back pain, your Osteopath may also examine your hips, pelvis, knees, ankles and feet.
During your first Osteopathic consultation, one of our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East, will perform a skilled examination and provide you with a working diagnosis and a reason for why you may be experiencing pain or suffering from an injury. Our Osteopaths understand that every injury can be unique so your treatment at Valued Health Osteopathy is tailored directly to you.
Our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East utilise many techniques in treatment including stretching, soft tissue massage, inhibition, trigger point therapy, dry needling and mobilization techniques. Rehabilitation and exercise prescription advice may also be provided as part of your treatment program.
All our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy are university trained allied health professionals who have completed a minimum of four years of university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. It is also a requirement that all our Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and Osteopathy Australia (OA).
No referral is needed to see one of our friendly Osteopaths at Valued Health Osteopathy. We have a very good relationship with many surrounding doctors, other health practitioners and personal trainers in the local community of Bentleigh East and surrounding suburbs.
Osteopathy is also covered by most private health funds and by Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan as referred by your General Practitioner. At Valued Health Osteopathy, in Bentleigh East we are registered providers for Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) patients, as well as by workers’ compensation schemes (Work Cover) and motor accident insurers (TAC).
To make an appointment directly with one of our Osteopaths call (03) 9570 9061 to speak to one of our friendly receptionists or book online through our website HERE.
[1] Osteopathy Australia, http://www.osteopathy.org.au/
