Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is one of the ten regulated healthcare professions in Australia. To practice as an osteopath in Australia, individuals must be registered with the Osteopathy Board of Australia. Patients can easily verify their osteopath’s registration online. Becoming an osteopath in Australia involves completing a full-time university degree program that spans five years.

Osteopathy, also called osteopathic medicine, was established by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician from the 19th century. The philosophy of osteopathy adopts a holistic approach to health, emphasizing the significance of the musculoskeletal system in a person’s overall well-being. The primary goal of osteopathic treatment is to bolster the body’s innate capacity for self-healing.

How does osteopathy work?

Osteopathy is a form of healthcare that focuses on the musculoskeletal system and its interconnectedness with the body as a whole. Osteopaths believe that the body has a natural ability to heal itself, and their approach aims to support and enhance this self-healing capacity.

Here’s how osteopathy works:

1. Holistic Assessment: Osteopaths start by thoroughly assessing the patient’s musculoskeletal system, considering the specific area of pain or discomfort and how it relates to other parts of the body. They look at the body as a whole, recognizing that different body parts are interconnected.
2. Manual Techniques: Osteopaths use various manual techniques, such as manipulation, joint mobilization, massage, stretching, and soft tissue techniques. These techniques are applied to specific body areas to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and restore balance.
3. Promoting Self-Healing: Osteopathy stimulates the body’s ability to heal. By addressing musculoskeletal imbalances and dysfunctions, osteopaths believe they can remove obstacles to healing and encourage the body to function optimally.
4. Patient-Centered Approach: Osteopathic treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s unique needs and circumstances. Osteopaths work closely with patients to understand their symptoms, lifestyle, and overall health goals.
5. Prevention: Osteopaths also emphasize prevention. They may advise on posture, exercise, ergonomics, and lifestyle modifications to help patients prevent injuries and maintain long-term health.

Osteopathy can treat a range of disorders

Osteopaths are capable of treating various conditions, such as:

• Chronic pain

Living with chronic pain can be frustrating to the sufferers. Broken sleep. Reduced quality of life. Broken relationships. Loss of income. Constant mental battles, not knowing whether you will be fine tomorrow or whether tomorrow is the day you cannot get out of bed.

And it’s not just the physical pain; living constantly in pain can lead to mental health problems which can, in turn, prolong and/or exacerbate your pain, turning this into a vicious cycle. Depression. Anxiety. Snappy mood. Easily triggered. Some people even have suicidal thoughts.

This doesn’t mean you have to put up with the pain. Osteopathy can help. Osteopathy will help you understand how to manage your pain, the importance of movement and mobility in improving your pain, and hence the quality of your life. We understand what you are going through. We will walk your journey to health with you.

Osteopathy may be able to alleviate some of your symptoms and have you enjoying life again. We work with you and in conjunction with your health team. With our compassionate, supportive care, we can help you get back to enjoying your life again. Connect with us to see how we can help you.

We can help with:
1. Acute back pain – including upper back, neck, and shoulder pain.
2. Chronic back pain
3. Hip and pelvic pain
4. Osteoarthritis
5. Knee and ankle pain
6. Other arthritic pain – rheumatoid, gout, etc
7. Fibromyalgia
8. Chronic muscle pain
9. Sports injuries

• Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints, which can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. One approach to managing arthritis and its associated symptoms is osteopathy.

Osteopathy is a holistic and non-invasive form of complementary medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system’s health. Osteopathic practitioners use their hands to diagnose and treat various musculoskeletal issues, including those caused by arthritis.

They employ a range of techniques such as joint manipulation, stretching, and massage to improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall function.

Osteopathy’s patient-centered approach considers not only the physical symptoms but also the patient’s lifestyle and overall well-being, making it a valuable option for those seeking relief from arthritis-related discomfort.

It can complement traditional medical treatments and provide a holistic approach to managing the challenges of living with arthritis.

• Sciatica

Sciatica is a painful condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the legs, becomes irritated or compressed. It often leads to sharp, shooting pain, numbness, and tingling sensations along the affected leg.

Osteopathy offers a holistic approach to addressing sciatica. Osteopathic practitioners focus on evaluating and treating the musculoskeletal system’s health, which includes the spine and its surrounding tissues.

Through techniques like spinal manipulation, soft tissue massage, and stretching exercises, osteopathy aims to alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve, reduce inflammation, and improve overall function.

By addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes of sciatica, osteopathy provides a natural and effective option for individuals seeking relief from this painful condition.

It can be used in conjunction with other medical treatments to enhance recovery and improve the patient’s quality of life.

• Headaches and migraines

Headaches can be debilitating. If you are a headache sufferer, you know firsthand how much of a nuisance they can be. They affect your concentration at work, home, or school. They cost you hours of sleep. Some can even change the quality of your life. Lost time because you have to lock yourself in a dark room until the migraine goes away. You cannot enjoy your favorite chocolate or glass of red wine because they might trigger your migraine.

Headaches are normally caused by irritation of pain-sensitive structures in the head, neck, and face. Osteopathy employs a wide range of treatment techniques to treat these structures and includes advice on posture, ergonomics, and basic stress management to help you manage your headaches. We will empower you to beat your headaches.

• Pregnancy-related pains

Pregnancy is an exhilarating time in a woman’s life. Different women go through different emotions and experiences during pregnancy. The feeling of carrying a little soul within you. Some anxiety may creep in for some women. But all women go through the same physiological changes i.e. increased blood volume, hormonal changes, and increase in weight. These changes can come with some discomforts like:

1. Pelvic pain/dysfunction
2. Upper and Low back pain
3. Rib cage and rib pain
4. Carpal tunnel syndrome
5. Neck pain and headaches
6. Abdominal pain/discomfort
7. Leg pain and swelling

Not all women will experience these discomforts. If you do, Osteopathy can help. We treat these discomforts and help support you through this amazing time.

• Tendonitis

Tendonitis, characterized by inflammation and irritation of the tendons, can be a painful and limiting condition that affects various parts of the body, including the elbows, shoulders, and wrists.

Osteopathy offers a holistic and hands-on approach to managing tendonitis. Osteopathic practitioners assess the patient’s musculoskeletal system to identify areas of tension, restricted movement, or misalignment that may be contributing to the condition. Through techniques like soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and targeted exercises, osteopathy aims to reduce inflammation, improve blood flow, and promote the body’s natural healing processes.

By addressing the root causes of tendonitis and focusing on the overall health and mobility of the affected area, osteopathy can be a valuable complement to conventional medical treatments, helping patients find relief and regain function without solely relying on medications or surgery.

• Sports injuries

Sports injuries can pose significant physical and emotional challenges, often resulting in pain, restricted mobility, and extended recovery periods.

Osteopathy offers a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to addressing these injuries. Osteopathic professionals conduct thorough assessments of the musculoskeletal system to pinpoint areas of dysfunction, strain, or misalignment that may have contributed to the injury.

Using manual techniques such as joint manipulation, soft tissue massage, and tailored exercises, osteopathy aims to relieve pain, enhance circulation, and harness the body’s innate healing capabilities. Additionally, osteopathy places a strong emphasis on injury prevention by optimizing the body’s structural equilibrium and functionality.

By seamlessly blending conventional medical knowledge with hands-on therapeutic expertise, osteopathy plays a pivotal role in the rehabilitation and overall well-being of athletes, aiding them in their return to sports with heightened resilience and a reduced risk of recurring injuries.

Furthermore, osteopaths consider the possibility of a musculoskeletal connection in many health issues, which means that osteopathy may assist a broader spectrum of disorders.

Lifestyle and environmental factors

While osteopathy is commonly associated with hands-on treatments, osteopaths can also guide you to other healthcare specialists and advise on preventing injuries, managing pain, and developing rehabilitation plans. If you’re looking for the best osteopath in Maribyrnong, they can offer tailored recommendations based on your specific needs.

Osteopathy empowers you to take charge of your long-term health and wellness. It can assist you in identifying lifestyle and environmental factors that might influence your condition, such as issues like poor posture, stress, or the need for ergonomic furniture.

An osteopath may devise various treatments, including manual therapy, personalized exercise routines, relaxation methods, or body awareness sessions. These sessions aim to teach you how to move your body more gently and beneficially.