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What
is Osteopathy?
What kinds of problems can Osteopathy help with?
What can I expect when I visit an Osteopath?
How many treatments will I need?
Do I need a referral from my GP?
How does Osteopathy work?
Can I claim Osteopathy on my private health insurance?
Preventive care
What are the origins of Osteopathy?
What
to expect
What
is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is an established recognised system of diagnosis and treatment,
which lays its main emphasis on the structural and functional integrity
of the body. It is distinctive by the fact that it recognises that much
of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the
function of the body structure as well as damage caused to it by disease.
What
kinds of problems can Osteopathy help with?
Whilst back pain and neck pain are the most common problems seen, Osteopathy
can help with a wide variety of problems including changes to posture
in pregnancy, babies with colic or sleeplessness, repetitive strain
injury, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, headaches
and migraines, the pain of arthritis, soft tissue sprains and strains
and sports injuries among many others. Leaflets explaining many of the
common treatments used are available at the clinic.
What
can I expect when I visit an Osteopath?
When you visit an Osteopath for the first time a full case history will
be taken and you will be given an examination. You will normally be
asked to remove some of your clothing and to perform a simple series
of movements. The Osteopath will then use a highly developed sense of
touch, called palpation, to identify any points of weakness or excessive
strain throughout the body. The Osteopath may need additional investigations
such as x-ray, scans or blood tests. This will allow a full diagnosis
and suitable treatment plan to be developed for you.
How
many treatments will I need?
Osteopathy is patient centred, which means treatment is geared to you
as an individual. Your Osteopath will give you an indication of your
treatment plan and options during the initial consultation. For some
acute conditions one or two treatments may be all that is necessary.
Chronic conditions may need more initial treatment and ongoing maintenance
sessions at 2-6 month intervals.
Do
I need a referral from my GP?
A formal referral from your GP is not necessary. Whilst patients may
be referred to Osteopaths by Doctors, many patients self-refer.
How
does Osteopathy work?
Osteopaths work with their hands using a wide variety of treatment techniques.
These may include soft tissue techniques, rhythmic passive joint mobilization
or the high velocity thrust techniques designed to improve mobility
and the range of movement of a joint. Gentle release techniques are
widely used, particularly when treating children or elderly patients.
This allows the body to return to efficient normal function by maximising
blood, neural(nerve) and lymphatic flow.
Can
I claim Osteopathy on my private health insurance?
Many private health insurance schemes give benefits for Osteopathic
treatment. Reimbursement will depend on the insurer and the plan you
have chosen. Contact the helpline of your insurance company who will
explain the actual benefits and methods of claim for your individual
policy. We offer the HICAPS system at the clinic for immediate payment
of your claim.
Preventive
care
Osteopaths are concerned not only with trying to alleviate patients’
pain and other symptoms, but also with trying to help prevent problems
recurring. We regard treatment as a cooperative process between practitioner
and patient and encourage patients to participate in preventive health
programs. Preventive osteopathic care may include the prescription of
exercise programs, provision of ergonomic and postural advice, and dietary
and general lifestyle advice. In addition, where appropriate, osteopaths
may refer patients to other practitioners to assist with preventive
work.
What
are the origins of Osteopathy?
Andrew Taylor Still, born in 1828 in Virginia, USA, trained as a doctor
according to the system of medical education available at the time.
As time went on he followed a different path from many of his peers,
eschewing alcohol and the habit of contemporary physicians of administering
crude drugs at their disposal in heroic quantities. This drove him to
seek new methods of treating sickness. The outcome of his research was
the application of physical treatment as a specialised form of treatment
for which he coined the name ‘Osteopathy’.
In 1892 A T Still organised a school in Kirksville, Missouri, for the
teaching of Osteopathy and it was from these small beginnings that Osteopathy
was brought to Australia early in the 1900’s.
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