General questions:

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a form of hands-on healthcare that focuses on the intricate relationship between the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues. It aims to improve how the body moves and functions, helping to relieve pain, improve mobility, and support overall health.

How does osteopathy differ from other professions e.g. physiotherapy, chiropractic?

• Approach: Osteopaths take a holistic approach, considering the whole body, including muscles, joints, and organs. Physiotherapists focus on rehabilitation and functional recovery, while chiropractors are more spine-centric and focus on spinal adjustments.

• Techniques: Osteopaths use a broader range of manual techniques, including soft tissue work, joint mobilisations, and cranial and visceral manipulation. Chiropractors primarily use spinal adjustments (manipulation). Physiotherapists may use rehabilitation exercises, postural advice, and electrotherapy.

• Treatment Goals: While all three professions treat musculoskeletal conditions, osteopaths focus on restoring overall balance and improving body function. Physiotherapists aim to rehabilitate and strengthen, while chiropractors focus on spinal health and nervous system function.

What conditions can osteopaths help with?

Osteopathy is commonly used to help with:

• Back and neck pain

• Joint and muscle sprains/strains

• Postural concerns

• Sporting injuries

• Headaches and migraine

• Jaw pain

• Pregnancy-related pain

• Pelvic pain and women’s health concerns

Is osteopathy evidence based?

Yes — osteopathy is supported by a growing body of scientific research, particularly for certain musculoskeletal conditions such as lower back pain, neck pain, joint and muscle dysfunction, tension-related headaches and chronic pain management; especially when combined with exercise, education, and lifestyle advice.

Osteopaths are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat based on clinical reasoning and the latest guidelines, and incorporate current evidence into their approach. However, like many areas of healthcare, research is still ongoing — and not all osteopathic techniques have the same level of evidence behind them yet.

Osteopathy is a closely regulated profession in Australia, and practitioners are required to maintain professional development and stay up to date with the latest standards of care.

Do I need a referral from my GP to see an osteopath?

No, you don’t need a referral from your GP — you can book an appointment with an osteopath directly.

Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners, which means they’re trained to assess, diagnose, and treat patients without the need for a referral. However, if your osteopath feels that your condition would benefit from input from your GP or another specialist, they’ll always let you know and can write a letter with your permission.

If you're planning to claim treatment costs through private health insurance, some insurers may ask for a GP referral — so it’s worth checking your policy first.

About the treatment:

What does an initial osteopathy appointment involve?

Your first visit is all about getting a full picture of your health so we can understand what’s going on, to identify any contributing factors and how best to help. Here's what to expect:

1. Detailed Case History

   We’ll begin by talking about your current symptoms and how long they have been bothering you, any previous injuries or medical conditions, your general health, lifestyle and activity levels.

2. Physical examination

   Next, we’ll assess your posture, movement, and how your joints, muscles, and spine are functioning. This may involve asking you to perform simple movements (e.g., bending, turning, walking) and gently assessing for areas of tension, restriction, or imbalance.

3. Diagnosis and discussion

   Once we’ve completed the assessment, we’ll explain what we think is causing your symptoms, how osteopathy may be able to help and what your treatment plan might look like. We always encourage you to ask questions — it's important you feel fully informed and at ease.

4. Treatment

   If it's safe and you're happy to proceed, you will receive some hands-on treatment in the first session which may include soft tissue massage, gentle stretching, joint mobilisation and articulation and movement advice.

5. Personalised advice

   You’ll also get practical tips to support your recovery such as looking after your body post treatment, stretching exercises, posture adjustments, or activity modifications.

What should I wear to my first appointment?

Wear something comfortable and easy to move in — think stretchy, loose-fitting clothing like activewear or lounge clothes. We may ask you to remove some outer layers so we can properly assess your posture, movement, and the area of concern.

For example:

• For back or hip issues, shorts or leggings are ideal

• For neck or shoulder issues, a singlet top or sports bra works well

Your comfort is our priority, we’ll always explain what we’re doing and give you time and privacy to change if needed. If you have any concerns about clothing or modesty, just let us know, we’re happy to work around it.

Is osteopathic treatment painful?

Osteopathic treatment is generally gentle and should not be painful. Most people find it relaxing and feel relief, looser movement, or a sense of ease afterwards.

That said, you might experience:

• A bit of tenderness or soreness in the treated area (like after a workout)

• Mild fatigue or a sense of tiredness later the same day

These responses are normal and usually settle within 24–48 hours as your body adjusts. If we need to use firmer techniques (like joint mobilisations), we’ll always explain them beforehand and make sure you're comfortable with every step. Treatment is always adapted to suit your body, your preferences, your level of sensitivity and your feedback during and post-treatment.

What sort of techniques does an osteopath use?

Osteopaths use a wide range of techniques including:

• Soft tissue therapy

• Stretching and muscle activation techniques

• Myofascial cupping

• Trigger point dry needling

• Articulation and joint mobilization

• Cranial and visceral techniques

Our aim is to encourage and facilitate the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Rather than just treating the symptoms, osteopathy takes into account the whole body to establish the root cause of discomfort.

How many sessions will I need?

It really depends on your individual case — everyone heals and responds to treatment differently.

Some people feel significant relief after just 1–2 sessions, while others may benefit from a short course of treatment (e.g. 4–6 sessions) to make lasting progress. Chronic or long-standing issues may take longer and may need occasional follow-up to maintain results.

We’ll always review your progress as we go, and you’re never locked into a set number of sessions. The goal is to help you feel better and stay better as efficiently as possible.

Insurance and payment:

Is osteopathy covered by private health insurance?

In many cases, yes! Osteopathy is covered by most private health insurance providers, but the level of coverage can vary depending on your policy and insurer. To find out if your insurance covers osteopathy, check your policy details or contact your insurer directly. Ask whether you need a referral from a GP to claim, as some providers may require it.

If you’re unsure, we can provide an invoice with the relevant details for you to submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Can I use a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) care plan to see an osteopath?

​Yes, you can use a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) care plan via Medicare to see an osteopath, provided you meet certain criteria. Here's what you need to know:​

Eligibility Criteria:

• Chronic Condition: You must have a chronic medical condition that has been present for at least six months or is likely to be present for at least six months. Examples include asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

• Complex Care Needs: Your condition should involve complex care needs, meaning you require ongoing care from a multidisciplinary team, including your GP and at least two other healthcare providers. ​

• GP Management Plan and Team Care Arrangements: Your GP must have developed a GP Management Plan and established Team Care Arrangements for you. ​

Process:

1. Obtain a Referral: Visit your GP to discuss your eligibility. If appropriate, your GP will create a CDM plan and refer you to an osteopath.​

2. Number of Sessions: Under the CDM program, you're eligible for up to five allied health services per calendar year. These can be used for osteopathy or other services like physiotherapy or dietetics. ​

3. Service Duration: Each osteopathic service must be of at least 20 minutes duration to qualify for Medicare benefits.

4. Rebate Amount: Medicare provides a rebate of $60.35 per eligible service, though this amount may vary.

5. Out-of-Pocket Costs: The Medicare rebate does not cover the full cost of the osteopathic service. You will need to pay the difference, known as the gap fee, which varies depending on the osteopath's fees.

Patients populations:

Can children or babies be treated by an osteopath?

Yes, osteopathic care can be safely applied to children and infants using specialised, gentle techniques tailored to each stage of their development. We strive to address biomechanical tensions or restrictions thought to be associated with:

• Birth-related strain e.g. torticollis

• Feeding or latching difficulty

• Colic and digestive discomfort

• Sleep disturbances

• Musculoskeletal imbalances

Treatment for babies and children is always adapted to be age-appropriate, using very light touch. Before any treatment, the osteopath will take a full medical history and ensure it's safe and appropriate for your child. If required, they may refer you to a GP or paediatric specialist.

Can I see an osteopath if I am pregnant?

Yes of course. Osteopathy is commonly used to support musculoskeletal and postural adaptations during pregnancy and with appropriate modifications, it can be an effective and safe way to manage pregnancy-related conditions such as:

• Lower back, neck, or pelvic pain

• Rib or upper back discomfort

• Hip tightness and pain sleeping on one side

• Sciatica

• Preparing the body for labour

• Advice on home-based exercises and daily movement

  And what about post-natal care?

  Postnatal osteopathic treatment focuses on addressing musculoskeletal strain patterns resulting from pregnancy, labour, and postpartum adaptation including:

  • Pelvic and sacroiliac dysfunction

  • Postural strain from breastfeeding or carrying

  • Recovery from abdominal or perineal trauma

  • Discomfort after caesarean or assisted delivery

  • Residual spinal, pelvic, or rib restrictions post-delivery

  • Advice on ergonomics and progressive return to exercise