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What is osteopathy?

In Australia, Osteopaths are nationally recognised health practitioners that primarily work with the musculoskeletal system. This includes muscles, joints, nerves, bones, circulation and connective tissue.

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They undergo between 4.5 & 5 years of university education with Bachelor and Masters qualifications. Besides learning about subjects specific to osteopathy, they learn about:

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  • Practical hands-on treatment. This constitutes a large part of the osteopathic profession, but is evolving with more treatment options as technology & evidence changes. Click here for more information.

  • Exercise prescription to coincide with hands-on treatment as a way of helping with recovery.

  • The sciences of the human body including anatomy, neuroscience, physiology, pathology, pharmacology & biomechanics. This allows for osteopaths to adeptly work with other health professionals such as general practitioners when helping patients.

  • General medical examinations, such as checking blood pressure. These skills help osteopaths to screen for potential illnesses that require medical attention.

  • Radiology, which allows osteopaths to read, interpret and refer for imaging such as x-rays.

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Most commonly, people visit osteopaths when they are experiencing pain in some region of their body. This is often as a result of a joint or muscle issue. However, there are many musculoskeletal conditions or associated symptoms that osteopaths aim to help with.

People that osteopaths help

We have experience helping people from all walks of life. Here are some common examples:

Conditions that osteopaths see

Below is an extensive but not exhaustive list of various conditions that our osteopaths may be able to help with. If you are uncertain of your condition then that's fine, we will discern a diagnosis and determine whether we will be able to assist you. If you have a condition or diagnosis that is not on this list then feel free to contact us. Alternatively, Osteopathy Australia has an extensive source of information on conditions and relevant evidence, click here.

Head

  • Headaches/migraines

  • Jaw problems

  • Vertigo

  • Nystagmus

Shoulder/Arm

  • Tendinopathy

  • Bursitis

  • Impingement/pinching

  • Arthritis

  • Sprains & Strains

  • Instability/dislocations

  • Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis

  • Post-surgery & fracture

  • Labral tear

Lower Back/Pelvis

  • Joint & disc problems

  • Arthritis

  • Muscle strains

  • Instability

  • Scoliosis

  • Post-surgery & fracture

  • Spondylolis & Spondylolithesis (splippage)

Calf

  • Compartment syndrome

  • Shin splints

  • Strains/tears

  • Tendinopathy, e.g. achilles

Ankle & Foot

  • Ankle sprains

  • Arthritis - ankle, foot, toes

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Fat pad syndrome

  • Pisiform problems

  • Metatarsalgia

  • Sever's Disease

Neck

  • Arthritis

  • Disc problems

  • Joint sprains/ muscle strains

  • Post-vertebral fracture

  • Post-whiplash

  • Wry neck/torticollis

Elbow/Forearm

  • Golfer's/tennis elbow (medial/lateral epicondylosus)

  • Strains/sprains

  • Arthritis

  • Post-surgery & fracture

Hip

  • Tendinopathy

  • Bursitis

  • Strain

  • Arthritis

  • Hip dysplasia

  • Hip impingement

  • Labral tear

Other

  • Nerve impingement

  • Numbness/tingling

  • Shooting pain/sciatica

  • Chronic pain management

  • Anxiety, trauma

  • Digestive issues

  • Multiple Sclerosis

  • Parkinsons Disease

  • Fibromyalgia

Chest & Thorax

  • Rib sprains

  • Muscle strains

  • Costochondritis

  • Disc injuries

  • Post-vertebral or rib fracture

  • Scoliosis

Hand & Fingers

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Arthritis

  • Joint sprains/ muscle strains

  • Post-surgery or fracture

  • Instability

Thigh (Hamstring, Quadricep, Adductor muscles)

  • Muscles strain or tear

  • Tendinopathy

Knee:

  • Runners knee/patella pain

  • Iliotibial band friction syndrome

  • Meniscal problems

  • Ligamentous problems

  • Strains & sprains

  • Osgood's Schlatter Disease

Osteopathic consultation process

A consultation with an osteopath involves a 4-step process.

1. History

As a new patient, we have you complete a form prior to the consultation including details about your medical history. During the consultation we run through a range of questions pertaining your general medical history as well as your particular complaint/s.

Osteopathy medical history. Image of paper with medical notes.

2. Examination

We perform a physical examination, which involves looking at your posture, how your body moves & a range of orthopaedic tests. This provides us with a comprehensive understanding about how your body generally moves & more specifically the area of dysfunction.

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3. Diagnosis

We then explain our findings to you often involving an explanation about:

  • the injury or dysfunction

  • the factors that may have contributed to your presentation

  • areas that can be improved on or those that are doing well

  • the prognosis, i.e. expected recovery

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<a href="https://www.flaticon.com/free-icons/quiz" title="quiz icons">Quiz icons created by Freepik - Flaticon</a>

4. Treatment & Management

At Prom Health, our Osteopaths can provide a broad range of options tailored to your needs. During each consultation, we will determine which treatments are most appropriate. Click here for more information about treatment options.

Osteopathy FAQ

How long does an appointment go for?

  • Initial consultations: 40 minutes

  • Return consultations: 30 minutes

  • Urgent consultations: 15 minutes​

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I am a new patient. What do I need to do before seeing an osteopath?

  1. Call us or book online to make an appointment.

  2. Complete the intake form.

  3. Bring along any relevant medical records or imaging.

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Should I arrive early for an appointment?

Our practitioners tend to run on time, so please arrive at least 5 minutes before your appointment.​

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Do I need a referral?

No, you do not need a referral.​​

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Can I bring a carer, partner or my children?

Yes, you are welcome to bring another person along to the consult when necessary.

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What do I wear to a consult? Do I have to undress?

To adequately assess and treat a condition, we may ask that you partially disrobe to expose the area of interest. For example, this means removing a t-shirt or jeans, however, undergarments remains on.

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Your comfort is most important. If you are sensitive about your body, an option is to wear a singlet with fine straps or loose fitting shorts. Gowns are also offered as an option & we always use towels for draping.

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Will my consult be covered by WorkCover, TAC, NDIS, DVA?

For details on the following, please go to the menu and you will find relevant information under the appointments section.

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Do you process private health claims onsite?

We have a TYRO machine on site to process Private Health claims/rebates. Please check with your Health Insurance Provider to see if your plan includes the particular health service that you will recieve. To claim Private Health, you must bring your Private Health card with you. Our Tyro machine does not support phone-based claiming for Private Health.

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When do I need a scan such as an x-ray, MRI, CT or ultrasound?

Much of the time, osteopaths can diagnose an injury or complaint without having to refer for a scan. We generally send patients for imaging only if a diagnosis is not clear.

 

When referred by an osteopath, full and partial rebates on imaging are available. The specific amount is dependant on the part of the body imaged and the type of imaging used. Rebates are also available from your local GP for a wider range of imaging options. If necessary, we will refer you to your GP for further imaging.

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