Osteopathy

Information Available
What is Osteopathy?
When should I see an Osteopath?
How is Osteopathy Performed?
Does it hurt?
Can I get rebates from my health insurance?
Can Osteopathy be used in conjunction with other methods of treatment?
The History of Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a system of healthcare which, instead of using drugs, uses the practitioner's knowledge of the body to seek out the underlying causes of pain and carry out treatment using a variety of corrective procedures. Particular focus is placed on the physical body. The musculoskeletal system is the largest of the body's systems and has far reaching effects on all systems of the body. Osteopathy allows the practitioner to assist the patient to restore natural function and movement through work on the body and its tensions.

Osteopathic training is such that although the structure is the primary focus, all disease processes are looked at from both a structural and organic point of view.

Osteopathy aims to normalise proper blood and nerve supply to all parts of the body by removing joint and tissue strains, restrictions and immobility. Health is aided by reducing pain, restoring proper fluid flow and normalizing nerve supply.

When should I see an Osteopath?

Osteopathy is effective for people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. It is a gentle technique with a broad approach so that the therapist can detect problems without necessarily having the benefit of a specific complaint, often difficult to obtain from very young children.

Osteopathy teaches patients to “manage” their own health so that “good health” is no longer considered as opposed to illness, but as a quality of life and the opportunity to live it to the full.

Everyone can be treated osteopathically from babies through to the elderly. It is very safe to have osteopathic care during pregnancy aswell. Treatment by an osteopath can help the body adjust to changes during pregnancy.

Osteopathy is most commonly sought for musculoskeletal problems such as:
Back Pain
-Many of our patients suffer from back troubles.
-Postural strains, joint dysfunction and spinal
-Disc injuries are common.

Women's Health problems
-Women suffering from back problems is very common as they are under a great deal of physical and emotional stress, caring for children often as well as working a full or part time job.
-Menstrual disorders may also reflex to the spine causing pain and discomfort, and will in turn be affected by strains in the low lumbar spine and pelvis.

Work related strains and injuries
-So many people sit long hours at computer terminals and working in industry which causes related structural and postural strains and injuries.
-As people are working more in sedentary jobs their bodies are becoming less supple allowing more injuries to result.

Relief for the elderly
-The elderly need a gentle form of pain relief and treatment to minimise stiffness and pain.

Osteopathy is very beneficial for your body, just as a tune up is to your car, as a preventative measure.

Osteopathy can help:
-Back and neck pain
-Head pains such as migraine, jaw pain,neuralgia -and tension, headaches
-Joint pain
-Postural problems
-Mobility problems
-Structural pain during and after pregnancy
-Sciatica
-Sports injuries
-Post traumatic injury rehabilitation

Osteopathic treatment may also help symptoms such as:
-Asthma and other breathing difficulties
-Digestive problems
-Gynaecological problems
-Childhood behavioural problems

How is Osteopathy Performed?

-What happens in a treatment?
Your osteopath will require a complete medical history which may include questions on lifestyle, diet and your emotional status. Particularly relevant are past injuries, traumas such as motor vehicle accidents and falls or even birth traumas.

Following this a physical examination will be conducted to determine the location and possible causes of your condition, and whether or not there is evidence of joint and tissue restrictions. Neurological orthopaedic tests may be used to augment the findings of osteopathic motion testing. Where necessary X rays may be ordered, or the patient referred by their GP for further tests such as blood tests or CT scans.

The initial consultation is normally around 45 minutes. Depending on the findings in the history and examination the osteopath will discuss your diagnosis and proposed treatment plan with you., and commence treatment. In simple cases usually 3-6 treatments are required. Problems of a chronic or repetitive nature will usually last much longer.

Your osteopath may suggest referral to another health professional such as a GP, dentist, podiatrist, naturopath, massage therapist, acupuncturist or similar should it be required.

Because there are a wide variety of techniques to choose from for your treatments, please feel free to discuss your preferences with your osteopath.

-What can I do after treatments?
Your osteopaths will discuss the things you should or should not do for your particular case, but as a general rule after treatment you should:
• Avoid strenuous movement or sports for 24-48 hours
• Take it easy for several hours
• Drink plenty of water to help your body clean away toxins

If you are not sure, in most cases, heat (hot water, heat pack) will bring relief. Remember: Swelling and bruising=Cold, while muscle spasm=Heat.

-Will I need another appointment?
Most likely, yes! Around three to five treatments corrects the most common problems, however this can change depending how long you have had the condition. A deep rooted problem that has been there for many years may require regular sessions which could be weekly then fortnightly and move on to monthly as the condition responds. It takes time to train the body into a new way of being. Your osteopath will advise you of your treatment plan on your first visit. At Health Dimensions, we are committed to getting you better as soon as possible. In some cases your practitioner may feel that your recovery will be sped up by you seeing an associated practitioner to deal with an underlying cause of your position.

Does it hurt?

There is some pain associated with Osteopathic treatment and it will vary according to how acute (painful) or chronic (long term and stuck) your problem is.

Acute presentations are painful already. The appropriate choice of techniques and minimising movement can help to reduce any pain suffered. Chronic presentations are usually less painful but require stronger stretching work. Pain may be experienced for a few days following treatment as the body gets used to new ways of moving.

These are two frequently asked questions:
-What is “cracking”?
High Velocity (HVLA) treatment is just one manipulation technique your osteopath may use. The “cracking” sound comes as the opposing joint surfaces of the joints being manipulated gap apart. It is like a vacuum effect and tiny nitrogen bubbles are thought to be released from the synovial fluid the fills the joint space. The therapeutic effect is to stretch the deep muscles controlling the joint and return the joint to better alignment.

-Is cervical (neck) adjustment harmful?
Osteopaths are carefully trained to perform cervical manipulations in a safe and effective manner. The incidence of a serious complication after cervical manipulation is extremely rare and is significantly lower than everyday events such as having a serious car accident, or complications from taking pain killers.

The matter of how stroke and cervical manipulation are related is still being studied. The current estimate for the likelihood of anything going wrong is less than 1 in 200,000 patients. (Taken from "Vertebrobasilar Stroke, Cervical Manipulation and Informed Consent" COCA news Mar 2010, Vol 16 No 1.)

Can I get rebates from my health insurance?

Health Insurance rebates, Work Cover, Transport Accident, DVA, and Medicre under EPC benefits are available.

Private health funds provide varying levels of cover for osteopathic treatment. These can be claimed directly through the Hicaps system from your health fund at the time of your consultation.

Osteopaths regularly provide services under Work Cover and Transport Accident insurance claims. Cover for these services is requested by a GP referral and must be arranged with your insurance company. You must provide your date of injury, claim number and contact details of the insurance company at the time of your consultation.

Medicare now covers part of the treatment cost of up to five treatments per year for those who are referred by their GP.
You need to have your GP complete an Enhanced Primary Care form and bring it with you to your consultation. You then pay at the time of treatment and take your receipt and the form to Medicare for your rebate or you can claim the rebate on the spot through the Hicaps system provided you have an EFTPOS card.

Some practitioners are contracted to the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA). A doctor's referral may be required so please check with DVA prior to your treatment.

Can Osteopathy be used in conjunction with other methods of treatment?

Although this depends on your particular case, we have found the results of osteopathic treatment are often enhanced by the use of other modalities.

Osteopaths frequently refer to
-podiatrists to help solve recurrent mechanical problems, particularly in the lower back, hips and knees;
-massage therapists to reduce the level of muscle spasm experienced in chronic situations;
-naturopaths to reduce the effects of ill health in the organ system reflexing to the musculoskeletal system;
-Acupuncture to help with inflammation, muscle spasm and chronic pain.
-Hypnotherapy/Counselling/Kinesiology to help with stress and emotional triggers setting off musculoskeletal problems.

The History of Osteopathy]

Osteopathy is "A system of therapy founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828 - 1917) and based on the theory that the body is capable of making its own remedies against disease and other toxic conditions when it is in normal structural relationship and has favourable environmental conditions and adequate nutrition. It utilizes generally accepted physical, medicinal, and surgical methods of diagnosis and therapy, while placing chief emphasis on the importance of normal body mechanics and manipulative methods of detecting and correcting faulty structure." (Dorland's Medical Dictionary, 28th Ed, 1994)

Andrew Taylor Still, was a medical doctor of the period, who believed that his new system of treatment was superior to that utilising the drugs of the day. The system of medicine now known as osteopathy has today developed to the point where it is one of the most widely used and accepted therapies in use today.

Osteopathy is a system of manual medicine that uses a wide variety of "hands-on" techniques to treat conditions mechanical strains of the body's musculo-skeletal system and in many cases its organs and their supporting tissues.

Although often regarded as a "complementary" therapy, osteopathy is widely accepted by the medical community - indeed osteopaths in the USA are also licensed medical practitioners.

Osteopathy was brought to Australia in the early 1900's. The pioneers were not well accepted by the medical establishment but have persisted, setting up private training colleges and fighting for recognition.

Australian osteopaths currently undergo five years of full-time university level training, which, in addition to the study of osteopathic technique, includes study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, clinical diagnosis and management, biochemistry, radiology, pharmacology, nutrition, psychology and exercise prescription. The training also includes supervised practice in university teaching clinics.

Osteopaths in Australia are registered by the individual State Government Registration Boards. Federal Registration is pending.

The Australian Osteopathic Association is the body representing osteopaths in Australia. The association encourages continuing professional development by providing a range of seminars and activities for osteopaths. It also continues to work for greater recognition of the profession from government and the community at large.

Health Dimensions ©2004