Osteopaths are government-registered allied health professionals who complete five years of full-time university study in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general healthcare diagnosis, and osteopathic techniques.

Osteopaths believe everyone can benefit from a tailored, whole-person approach to health. They take time to understand your individual history, circumstances and unique physiology, to provide you with a personalised health improvement plan.

Osteopaths provide safe, effective treatment and care that aims to promote the health of patients. Using manual therapy, health advice and exercise, tailored to the needs of the individual, people of all ages see osteopaths, from children to the elderly.

As highly trained healthcare professionals, osteopaths are experts in the neuro-musculoskeletal system – that is the muscles, nerves, joints and associated tissues and their relationship with other systems of the body. The philosophy behind treatment is that for the body to function optimally the structure must be aligned in a way that doesn’t compromise function. For example, if you are experiencing tingling in your hand, an osteopath might treat along the path of the nerve from hand to neck to find the location of the nerve irritation. They might then look at the body as a whole to see if the posture is putting pressure onto the neck or arm and contributing to the problem.

Osteopaths provide musculoskeletal and nervous system assessments, manual therapy; clinical exercise programs; and movement, postural, positioning advice and ergonomic assessments. They may also offer therapeutic techniques like dry needling and trigger point therapy. Your osteopath may also offer ongoing support and educational advice about your lifestyle, stress management, diet or other factors that may influence your pain, injury or movement.

Osteopaths work closely with other healthcare professionals such as GPs, midwives, and other allied health professionals.