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What is Osteopathy?

belindaclark9

Updated: Jan 10, 2022

A blog by Dr. Belinda Clark (Osteopath).


I hear you thinking ‘I know what osteo is, it’s for bones and stuff?’.

Yes! And so much more.


Founder of Osteopathy A.T. Still


Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a hand on manual therapy that addresses the whole body as a unit.

It focuses on how all systems of the body (musculoskeletal, digestive, nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic) interconnect and affect the function of one another.


Australian Osteopaths complete five years of university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiography, clinical management and diagnosis, and osteopathic techniques. As well as yearly continued professional development hours to maintain registration.


​​Osteopaths are allied health professionals (registered with AHPRA) who pride themselves on maintaining a patient centred approach to health care, while focusing on the founder's guiding principles:


1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of mind, body, spirit.

2. The body is capable of self regulation, self healing, and health maintenance.

3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

4. Rational treatment is based upon these principles.


A.T. Still (founder of osteopathy) understood that the body contained within itself all that it needed to either be healthy, as well as all that it needed to overcome illness or injury and return to health. Our job as an osteopath is to help the body return to a state in which it is able to utilize its own self-healing mechanisms to not only overcome disease but to maintain health.


With this in mind you can understand that during a treatment session we will look at all factors (not just the physical) that may contribute to our patients pain presentation. We understand everything is connected and treat each complaint accordingly.

For example, it would not be uncommon for us to assess your neck and breathing, as well as foot and ankle mechanics, if you come in with lower back pain. This is because the way we move in one area of our body directly affects the next region of the body and therefore we must assess all possible flow on effects and predisposing factors (almost always a chicken or the egg situation) of the ‘injured’ site. Furthermore, the way you understand (or quite commonly, mis-understand) an injury, will affect the way you carry yourself and behave around said injury, which may contribute to compensation patterns and guarding; so education is a very important component of our treatment.


What to expect from an osteo appointment:

At the beginning of the consultation your osteo will ask you a series of questions relating to your presenting complaint, as well as gather information about your general wellbeing, and take a detailed previous medical history.

Next, depending on the region of focus, you may be asked to partially undress (sometimes down to your bra and underpants so please keep this in mind when preparing for your appointment, draping with a towel will be provided for non-treatment areas) to perform the physical examination. You will be asked to do various movements with your spine and limbs to assess for restrictions, and certain orthopaedic tests may also be done in order to come up with an accurate diagnosis.

Results of the history and examination will be discussed, and together you and the osteopath will make a treatment plan.

If treatment is appropriate, your osteopath will use a variety of hands on techniques, mobilisation and exercise prescription. Keeping you informed throughout, and asking for your feedback.

Depending on the condition a management plan for further treatment or referral to other health professionals will be discussed.



BOOK NOW:

If you feel like you’d benefit from an Osteopathic assessment and treatment please get in touch.


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