Frequently Asked Questions

What does an osteopath treat?

People of all age groups seek osteopathic treatment most commonly for musculoskeletal complaints including:

  • Neck and back pain
  • Repetitive muscle strains
  • Sporting injuries
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Jaw pain
  • Arthritis and joint pain
  • Muscular pain
  • Pregnancy related pain
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis
  • Postural problems
  • Tennis elbow
  • Tendonitis
  • Hip, knee and foot pain
  • Shoulder, elbow and wrist pain
  • Injuries from work or road accidents

Different conditions and individuals will require a different number of treatments to help get you back on track. In general, the longer you have had a condition, the longer it may take to resolve or become properly managed. We will likely give you ‘homework’, which may include: stretching techniques, exercise advice, the use of heat or ice, and referral advice.

We use a wide range of gentle treatment techniques including:

  • Soft tissue massage and stretching techniques
  • Articulation/mobilisation techniques: the movement of joints through their range of motion to restore function.
  • High-Velocity Low Amplitude techniques (HVLA): the technical term for manipulation, whereby the Osteopath uses a gentle method of maintaining precise positioning of a joint, followed by a mild thrust action.
  • Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): in which tight muscles are gently released by alternately being stretched and made to work against resistance. This helps to restore function to the muscles and surrounding joint structures.
  • Counter-strain techniques: in which a release of restriction is achieved by the placement of the affected joint or muscle in a position of comfort while applying a ‘counter’ stretch to the antagonists of the tight muscles.
  • Functional techniques: whereby the dysfunctional joint is placed into its preferred resting position, allowing a gentle release of the joint to occur.
  • Osteopathy in the Cranial Field / Biodynamic Approach: the gentle release of all structures using the fluid forces of the body.
  • Dry needling (using acupuncture needles): increase blood supply to a specific area and promote muscle relaxation and fluid drainage

At OsteoCare Craigieburn, we will also provide you with specific stretching and strengthening exercises. This will allow you to be in control of your condition and manage your symptoms away from the clinic.

Firstly a detailed history is taken regarding your complaint. Based on your condition, a relevant osteopathic examination is done to help us diagnose the problem and how it is affecting the rest of your body. This examination usually involves you completing simple movements and actions to help us work out where your discomfort is coming from. Your osteopath will palpate different body areas to work out what is affected by your condition. Depending on the nature of your condition, you may need to remove some layers of outer clothing to help us gain a better understanding of what’s going on. We have gowns available for those who wish to use them. Once we determine the cause of your pain, we will discuss this with you and explain the proposed treatment plan.

You don’t need a referral. You can simply contact us on 5752 5005 to arrange an appointment.

If you are referred from your GP under the CDM (Chronic Disease Management) plan, formerly the ‘EPC (Enhanced Primary Care) plan’, then you will need to bring your GPs paperwork in with you. Your GP referral entitles you to a number (up to five maximum) of osteopathic treatments partially covered by Medicare. Your GP will decide how many treatments you are allocated.

Please note, we do NOT BULK BILL. You will need to pay for your appointment in full on the day.

To claim your medicare rebate, once your appointment is paid, we can either provide you with a receipt to send to Medicare and Medicare will reimburse you $52.95 (making your overall out of pocket expense $42.05 for an initial and $32.05 for a subsequent consultation) or we can process the rebate electronically using our HICAPS machine at the time of your appointment.

Electronic Medicare Rebate;
Pay for your consultation by Eftpos or Credit card.
We swipe your Medicare card and enter details of your EPC referral.
We swipe your bank ATM card for reimbursement.
Medicare reimburses your rebate of $52.95 into your cheque or savings account within 24 hours.

If you have any queries regarding our payment process, simply call us on 5752 5005 and we will further discuss this with you.

Initial osteopathic sessions are booked at up to 1 hour for new patients and cost $95.

Subsequent osteopathic consultations are 30 minutes and cost $85.

A discount of $5 off the standard cost is offered to children under the age of 18.

If the diagnosis requires further investigation or specialist intervention, an osteopath will suggest a referral to an appropriate practitioner. Osteopaths often treat in conjunction with a GP, dentist, podiatrist, or other health care professional.

Because osteopathy emphasises self-healing, an osteopath may also advise, home exercise programs and lifestyle adjustments. All treatment programs are highly individualised and depend on the patient’s current condition, history, and ability to adapt to change. Determining the number of consultations/treatments: Different conditions and individuals will require a different number of treatments to help get you back on track. In general, the longer you have had a condition, the longer it may take to resolve or become properly managed.

Some people find they only need a few consultations, some with more persistent problems require more. A management plan and treatment approach will be discussed with you at the time of consultation.

Osteopathic treatment involves safe, gentle, and effective manual techniques, including soft tissue stretching, mobilisation, inhibition, and manipulation. These techniques assist in improving elasticity, strength, endurance, mobility, and performance as well as minimise re-injury and allow a quicker return to physical activity.

Before treating your child or yourself, the osteopath will perform a comprehensive physical examination and refer to other health care professionals if necessary. The osteopath can also provide strategies, exercises, and routines to help your family members avoid further injury and stay healthy and active.

Osteopathy can be an effective method of alleviating pain and discomfort caused by pregnancy. The massage and manipulation of the joints, muscles, and musculoskeletal system work as a great complement to prenatal care, and it can work to help reduce stress and anxiety that occurs during pregnancy.

The musculoskeletal manipulation techniques utilised by osteopaths are designed to ease the tension of the muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. Effective treatment of these parts of the body, as well as effective trigger point therapy (an incorporated method of osteopathy), can help relieve the effects of migraine. If we find that the patient’s migraines are not treatable through osteopathic methods, we will refer them to a different specialist.

To Book An Appointment simply click on the book now icon on the top right-hand corner to select a time. Alternatively, you can call us on 1800 067 836.

We say no. After all, alternative medicinal practices can pretty much spring up out of nowhere, and certain “alternative medicine” providers often don’t require any training or certification at all. We undergo extensive university training (five years minimum) and placements to receive governmentally registered certification so, no, we don’t believe it is “alternative medicine”.

Unfortunately at this time osteopathy is only covered by Medicare if you are on an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) scheme from your general practitioner. This allows for patients with ongoing conditions to receive up to five years of allied health care.

Each individual will experience treatment differently. As with any osteopathic consultation, we encourage you to make us aware if you are experiencing any discomfort during treatment as this can usually be easily addressed- by simply changing the position you’re lying in or moving a body part slightly. After any osteopathic treatment, it is not unusual to feel tender. We call this ‘post-treatment soreness’ and it can be a normal response to treatment. It can last anywhere between a couple of hours, to 2 days after a session. This is because during treatment your body is changing the way that it has been functioning since your injury. Other people experience no post-treatment soreness at all.

Yes, if you are having your initial consultation, we encourage you to bring your X-Rays, scans, and results with you.