FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is Osteopathy?
   We are government registered practitioners of manual medicine. We treat the physical body, joints, muscles and connective tissue with hands on techniques. Treatment approaches vary, but may include soft tissue massage, stretching, joint manipulation, resisted muscle exercises or gentle cranial techniques.
   Our philosophy: The Osteopathic profession is founded upon the belief that the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit capable of self-regulation and healing. This holistic approach and the quest to find health, not just disease in the patient, is a distinguishing feature of Osteopathy.
    

2. What sort of problems do Osteopaths treat?
   We are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain that does not require medical management. Osteopathy may help your body function at it’s maximum efficiency.
    

3. Is Osteopathy beneficial for all age groups?
   Treatment techniques vary with age and illness and would require individual assessment.
    

4. What training does an Osteopath undergo?
   Osteopathic training in Australia consists of five years of undergraduate and post graduate study. All Osteopaths must be registered with the Osteopath’s registration board of Victoria which is regulated federally by the Minister for health. The main representative body for Osteopaths Australia wide is the Australian Osteopathic Association (A.O.A.) which deals with issues specific to the profession ie. Continuing education, promotion and legislation issues.
    

5. Do I need a referral from a GP?
   No. We are trained as primary health care practitioners so a referral note from your doctor is not required.
    

6. Can I claim my treatment on Medicare?
   Payment in full is paid at the time of the consultation.  If referred under the allied care plan you may be eligible for a partial rebate.  People with chronic conditions and complex care needs who are being managed through an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan may be eligible for up to five partially rebated allied health services per year on referral from their General Practitioner.
    

7. How long are the treatments?
   The initial consultation lasts one hour. Follow up consultations are 45 minutes. I also have an extended combination 60 minute follow up treatment option if Osteopathy is combined with Naturopathy and/or Acupuncture.
    

8. Does your clinic treat Workcover and TAC patients? 
   No we do not treat such clients.
    

9. Should I bring X-rays with me?
   Yes! The more information about your problem – X-rays, CT scans, MRI’s and their reports the better. If your X-rays don’t have a report contact the place where you got them done and get them to e mail either me or you a copy before the appointment.