What Is Osteopathy?

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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].

Osteopath Bentleigh East, Melbourne, Valued Health Osteopathy, back pain, neck pain, headaches, sports injuries, pregnancy

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/

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About Tom McCormick

Dr. Tom McCormick (Osteopath) is the Director and Principal Osteopath at Valued Health Osteopathy in Bentleigh East. Tom is a qualified Osteopath and Dry needling practitioner and is also a Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach. Tom has also completed further studies in optimal movement patterns with the FMS (Functional Movement Systems).Tom believes it is important to address the immediate issues causing pain, however feels it is equally important to improve his patient’s ongoing movement, tissue quality, muscle activation and muscle strength in order to optimize injury recovery and reduce the chance of re-aggravation. Since Tom graduated as an Osteopath he has had the opportunity to work both in Queensland and Victoria within private practice and has worked closely with sporting teams. Tom has suffered many injuries and complaints over the years due to his heavy interest in sport. From broken bones, torn cartilage, tendon and muscle injuries to even a double hernia repair, this is ultimately what led Tom into the health field. Tom has a hands on approach to healthcare by utilizing a broad range of techniques that are tailored specifically to each patient. Such techniques include mobilization, soft tissue massage, stretching, trigger point therapy, dry needling and exercise rehabilitation. Although Tom enjoys treating athletes, he also thrives on the sense of enjoyment that comes with helping his patients of all ages with many other injuries. Tom also has experience in treating headaches, back and neck pain, hip, knee and ankle injuries and shoulder and elbow pain. Here at Valued Health Osteopathy Tom will use his Osteopathic experience, coupled with his further training to assess, diagnose, rehabilitate and treat in order to get you moving better with less pain. Outside of work Tom loves to travel, watch plenty of sport, exercise and loves a good coffee.