Educate yourself on Osteopathy

Last week, Osteopathy Australia encouraged Australians to give Osteo a go as part of an Osteopathy Awareness Week, which ran from April 15-21.

The #GiveItAGo campaign seeks to break down common misconceptions surrounding the health service which aides in a myriad of ways including the prevention and management of sporting injuries.

Doctor Rebecca Burns from Sequence Osteopathy founded the Torquay clinic two years ago and said osteopathy is a hands-on therapy that looks at the whole body.

“It looks at the body as being interconnected and aims to give long lasting care, treatment is varied and always tailored to suit the individual,” she said.

“It includes the treatment of muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves, organs and even the lymphatic system.”

Dr Burns said at Sequence Osteopathy they strive to always accurately diagnose the cause of the problem and go out of their way to make sure they understand the pains origin.

“The team develops a clear treatment plan to make sure patients are in the loop about how many treatments will be required to start seeing positive change,” she said.

“We won’t keep you coming back for unnecessary treatments without seeing positive improvement.”

Australian osteopaths must complete a five-year double degree at University – including an undergraduate science degree and then a masters health science.

It is a mainstream, evidence based manual medicine and osteopaths work alongside GP’s and other allied health professionals.

Dr Burns said unlike physiotherapy or chiropractic’s osteopaths work on the whole body (holistic) and don’t just focusing on the problem area.

“For example, if you presented with knee pain we would look at the ankle, hip, and back as well as the knee. Treatment could include soft tissue massage, stretching, trigger point dry needling, gentle work on the ligaments and joint mobilisation or balancing,” she said.

“Osteopaths primarily use their hands for treatment and may prescribe exercises to ensure long lasting results are achieved with minimal treatments. We do not believe in unnecessary maintenance treatment.”

For more information on treatments available, head to sequenceosteo.com.au.