Matt Blackburn

More about Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a skilled and gentle form of hands-on therapy that provides diagnosis and treatment of your pain, dysfunction and lack of mobility. and additionally encourages self-healing mechanisms in your body.

The body is treated as a whole and the aim is to find and treat the cause of pain and injury and to  create change in the body’s structure and so help it to function better.

Osteopaths treat people with problems presenting in the Musculo-skeletal system that are long term, (chronic) or acute.

Commonly used techniques include soft tissue techniques, articulation of joints, stretching, release of nerves and some gentle osteopathic cranial techniques. Osteopaths are trained to treat people of all ages including children, adults, seniors and the elderly.

Included in a consultation is advise on appropriate exercise, lifestyle, diet posture, lifting and walking to help with recovery.

Some things osteopaths look for:

  • Difficulties or changes in walking
  • Total range of motion in the spine, limbs and joints.
  • Uncomfortable movement.
  • Asymmetry in the body

In Australia Osteopaths have five years of training at university attaining a Bachelor of Applied Science and Masters in Osteopathy. This includes study of medical science subjects such as anatomy, physiology, radiology, neuroscience and clinical medicine.

Private health insurance covers osteopathy in most cases providing immediate rebates. The insurance needs to have “Extras cover.”

People with chronic conditions may be eligible for Medicare rebates up to five per year. This involves seeing a GP and asking for an EPC referral to see an osteopath.