What Can an Osteopath Near Me Do to Assist in Treating Musculoskeletal Problems?

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A large portion of the Sydney population are familiar with chiropractor services but are confused and have limited knowledge on what osteopathic doctors perform to provide relief to their patients. In this article, we will enumerate some of the key characteristics of osteopathy and its treatment modalities as well as their difference from chiropractic medicine.

What is the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?

To fully understand the difference between these two disciplines, let’s first check out their similarities:

  • Both chiropractic medicine and osteopathy treat musculoskeletal problems.
  • The primary goal for both disciplines is to alleviate and/or eliminate pain.

Some differences between these two medical disciplines is that they utilise different treatment modalities and can follow different philosophies.

  • Chiropractic can use a form of complementary healthcare that involves the execution of a series of high-velocity thrusts or HVT manipulations to the limbs, joints, and spinal region. The belief is that the root cause of pain is due to misalignment of both bones and muscles. By bringing these joints and muscles back to their original anatomical positions, pain is alleviated.  Also Chiropractic consultation times are generally much shorter than Osteopathic consultation times which is an important difference.
  • Osteopathy is a form of manual healthcare that utilises many different treatments to treat signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal pain. Some of these treatments are extremely gentle like gentle articulation and stretching of the joints, gentle release techniques for muscles and other soft tissues, specific rehabilitation programs targeting your injury. Also having much longer consultation times allows Osteopaths to really get to know you and your problem which is fundamentally important in getting you better.

How much does it cost to visit an osteopath?

The cost of an osteopath appointment and treatment depends on various factors. Established osteopathy clinics may charge between 100AUD and 120AUD for initial consultation and about 100AUD for ongoing visits.

 

If you wish to check out our osteopathy services or find the best osteopathy centre near you, give us a call on 03 9663 5450 today.

Melbourne Osteopathic Clinic FAQs

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Have you sought professional help from many specialists, but have not experienced relief from your pain? Perhaps it’s the right time to see an osteopath.

If you’re looking for an osteopath, here are tips on how to choose the best one in Melbourne City.

 

  • Do they really practice osteopathy?

Osteopathy is one of the fastest growing complementary medical fields in Australia. The Osteopathy Board of Australia (OBA) is a regulatory organisation for osteopathic professionals in the country. OBA provides endorsements when it comes to recognised and defined areas of osteopathy. Although OBA does not define scope of practice, they provide accreditation for osteopaths who want to practice their field not only in Melbourne, but all across Australia.

An osteopath practicing in Melbourne should have completed the necessary coursework for their field of complementary medicine. High standards set by the Osteopathy Board of Australia verify the education level of osteopathic professionals as well as establish professional standards and ongoing skills development of practitioners.

Verify the status of an osteopath simply by calling OBA or the Australian Osteopathic Association to ensure that you are getting the best possible care and treatment.

 

  • The focus of osteopaths

There is variety and complexity in the practice of osteopathy in Australia. As there are different skill sets and techniques that osteopathic professionals specialise in, it is imperative for patients to know which techniques they need to treat their complaints.

For instance, structural osteopaths focus on addressing patient complaints by physical manipulation designed to mobilise joints, stretch muscles and modify movement patterns.

Cranial osteopathy, on the other hand, involves the use of a highly-developed sense of touch to identify changes in tension and tissue quality.

 

If you are in a lot of pain and suspect musculoskeletal problems, visit us here to check our availability or call us on 03 9663 5450 to schedule an appointment.

How to Choose the Best Osteopath in Melbourne

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If you want long-term relief from the aches and discomfort that has been bothering you for awhile, you need to choose the best Osteopath that Melbourne offers. Here are valuable tips that will help you select an osteopath that can help relieve your pain.

 

  • Educational Background

Although growing in popularity, osteopathic medicine is still a small niche in the complementary medicine field. To ensure that you are getting the best care possible, it’s only proper that we ask the right questions. The first item that needs to be verified is educational qualifications of the practitioner.

Osteopaths in Melbourne should have completed a degree in clinical sciences with a major in osteopathic studies at an accredited university. This four-year course is then followed by a postgraduate qualification in osteopathy. Some osteopaths also have double degree majors in health science and osteopathy. Having acquired these qualifications, aspiring osteopaths need to apply with the Osteopathy Board of Australia to be registered to work in Melbourne.

 

  • Execution of vital osteopathy tasks

The major task of an osteopath is to identify the cause and nature of disorders/dysfunctions in the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Osteopaths assist in mobilising joints and changing movement as well as adjusting spinal columns. In addition, osteopaths also provide recommendations on exercises as well as other activities that may contribute to providing relief to patients who are in pain.

 

Is an osteopath safe?

Provided that you go to the best osteopaths in Melbourne, you are in good hands. As osteopaths have the know-how in delivering non-invasive treatments to patients, they are generally safe to work with.

 

Here are other safe duties and tasks for osteopaths in Melbourne:

  • Provide recommendations on sleep, nutrition, exercises, and stress management.
  • Refer patients to general medical practitioners or specialists when necessary.
  • Detection of physical abnormalities.
  • Analyses and evaluations in the functioning of the nervous system, spine and musculoskeletal system.

 

If you need relief from aches and pains, check out our services. To schedule an appointment, give us a call on 03 9663 5450 today.

The Top 6 Common Conditions Treated by Melbourne Osteopathy Practitioners

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The aim of osteopathy is to provide treatment in a non-invasive, drug-free manner. The complementary therapies for osteopathy were designed to elevate overall health through manual manipulation, strengthening and conditioning of the entire musculo-skeletal system.

 

What is osteopathy?

 

Similar to chiropractic treatment, osteopathy mainly involves both diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions taking into context any medical issues that may need referral for.. Osteopaths need to undergo years of coursework in order to be qualified and licensed to provide treatment to patients.

 

Osteopathy is a field of complementary medicine that treats a large variety of conditions. In recent years, it is the most preferred treatment for musculoskeletal disorders as well as pain relief and discomfort in localised regions such as in the head, neck, shoulders, back and feet.

 

Osteopathy treatment is just one of the many interventions for a patient. It serves as a complementary treatment that helps boost the efficacy and potency of other conventional medical interventions.

 

What does a Melbourne osteopath do?

 

An osteopath is focused on delivering relief to problem regions of the spine, muscles, and joints. The “hands-on” approach followed in osteopathy aims to improve these following aspects:

 

  • Circulation in problem areas to provide relief, reduce stasis and improve fluid flow.
  • Alleviate or reduce alignment or biomechanical stresses and strains without the use of prescription drugs.

 

Some of the most common manual techniques used in osteopath clinics in Melbourne and Eastern suburbs are collectively known as osteopathic manipulative medicine which includes resistance, gentle pressure and stretching just to name a few.

 

Osteopathic Therapy Indications

 

The most common conditions that are treated by osteopath physicians in Melbourne City are as follows:

 

  • Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
  • Arthritis
  • Sciatica pain
  • Postural problems caused by pregnancy, sports-related injuries, driving and sporting issues
  • Neuralgia
  • Hand, shoulder, and elbow pain

To book an appointment, you can get in touch with us by visiting our site here, or by calling us on 03 9663 5450.

What To Expect During Your First Visit to an Osteopath in Melbourne City

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Are you looking to arrange an appointment in one of our two Osteopathy clinics in Melbourne (one in Swanton Street and the other in Queen Street) and wondering what to expect on your visit? How are Osteopathic services performed? These are valid concerns and something that you may want to consider if you are going to get the most benefit from the treatment.

What can some of the best Osteopaths in Melbourne do for you?

During your first osteopathy session, the osteopath will ask about your symptoms, health problems and any medical care you have been receiving before the examination. The osteopath will then examine you to uncover problem areas in the body — weakness, tenderness and tension, especially in the spine.

At the end of the consultation, your Osteopath can then discuss what he or she can do to treat the problem and what is included in your treatment program. If necessary, your Osteopath may refer you to a GP for tests such as a blood exam or MRI scan to better identify the problem and recommend the best course of Osteopathic treatment.

Best practices in Osteopathy

An osteopath aims to revive the normal function and balance of the joints to help the body naturally heal itself. They use their hands to heal the body in a variety of ways, using a range of techniques that help minimise pain, enhance motion and encourage blood flow. Such methods include:

  • deep tissue massage
  • stretching stiff joints and restoring the range of motion — joints are moved through a series of movements
  • deep quick thrusts to the spinal column that produce a clicking noise much like cracking your neck and knuckles

Osteopathy is not uncomfortable, although it is not uncommon to feel sore or stiff in the very first few days after treatment. In the case of Osteopathy sports injury centres, patients are given suggestions on self-help and workout recommendations to facilitate healing and improve performance in their chosen sport. You may be given tips on self-help and workout to help with healing and prevent symptoms returning or getting worse. If you feel any pain during or after treatment, always tell your osteopath.

Are you looking to get started with some of the best osteopaths in the Southern Suburbs of Melbourne? You can expect no less out of “City Osteopathy”! Phone us today on 03 9663 5450 or book an appointment at City Osteopathy here.

The Benefits of Seeing an Osteopath in Melbourne CBD

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Are you looking to see an Osteopath in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne but are unsure as to how it might benefit you? What is Osteopathy and is it worth paying for the treatment? These are good questions and a few things that you might be wondering about if you are new to the practice.

Simply put, Osteopathy is a field of manual medicine with the goal of bringing back the optimal state of the body by treating the underlying reasons for pain and functional imbalances. Such problems may have come about as a result of an injury, disease, tension and chronic stress of daily living. More importantly, Osteopathy supports the idea that the body has the innate ability to recover and manage such problems.

You can expect some of the best Osteopaths in Melbourne to treat your body by utilising a range of mild techniques which include the following:

  • Stretching stiff joints
  • A gentle massage to unwind the muscles and release tension
  • Restoring the flexibility and natural range of motion of the joints throughout the body

How an Osteopath from the Northern and Western Suburbs of Melbourne can help alleviate pain

Osteopaths in Melbourne City and the neighbouring suburbs can help manage pain and discomfort in a way that regards you as an individual and your body as a whole. Osteopathic techniques can be implemented to minimise and alleviate discomfort in various areas of the body including the head, neck, ankles and back pain.

You can expect the following benefits:

  • Alleviate pain and tightness in the muscles, and joints
  • Get rid of the underlying cause of pain and discomfort
  • Increase the range of motion in the joints
  • Deal with problems in the spine due to poor posture or injury
  • Offer a non-invasive treatment for persistent pain and discomfort
  • Helps pregnant women adapt to physical and hormonal changes in their body
  • Reduces tension in the body that causes a headache or a migraine

Osteopathy also offers advantages that most people tend to overlook such as providing comfort for people suffering from chronic diseases such as arthritis and Asthma. Moreover, the treatment can help prevent recurrence of an injury or acute health problems by improving lifestyle factors through a series of relaxation techniques through a series of relaxation techniques, exercise and dietary advice and education about risk factors.

Are you convinced that Osteopathy can prove highly beneficial for you and eager to get started? Your needs are in excellent hands here at “City Osteopathy”.  Call us today on 03 9663 5450 to arrange an appointment at either of our clinics — one at Swanton Street and the other at Queen Street Melbourne. In any case, our team of proven and highly reputable experts stand ready to give you nothing less than excellent Osteopathic services.