FAQ's
An osteopath is a healthcare professional who focuses on the relationship between the body’s structure and its function, using a hands-on approach to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of health conditions. At Total You, we take a holistic approach to care, addressing not only the symptoms you experience but also the root causes of discomfort. By treating muscles, bones, and connective tissues, we aim to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and support the body’s natural healing process.
Osteopathy: A Natural Path to Wellness
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine that recognises the importance between function and structure of the body. Osteopaths aim to assist the healing of the body by focusing on how the muscles, joints, nerves, circulation, and connective tissue function together as a unit.
Osteopaths, Chiropractors and Physios all learn from the same book and work to improve overall health through the focus of the different bodies system. Each profession has its own “Principles of Health”. These cross over between each of the professions but each place more importance to certain principles than others.
Chiropractors Focus and Principles:
Spinal Alignment: Chiropractors primarily focus on the alignment and function of the spine. They believe that misalignments (subluxations) in the spine can affect overall health by disrupting the nervous system and leading to various health issues.
Nervous System: Their primary concern is with the nervous system and how spinal misalignments may impact nerve function and overall health. Chiropractic adjustments are aimed at correcting these misalignments to restore proper function.
Manual Adjustments: Chiropractors use spinal manipulation and adjustments as their primary treatment method. They may also offer advice on posture, ergonomics, and exercises.
Physios Focus and Principles:
Functional Rehabilitation: Physiotherapists focus on restoring movement, strength and function through evidence-based practices. Their goal is to improve patients’ physical function, mobility, and quality of life through a combination of exercises, manual therapy, and education.
Evidence-Based Practice: Physiotherapy is heavily grounded in evidence-based practice, emphasizing treatments supported by research. They address a wide range of conditions, including musculoskeletal injuries, neurological disorders, and respiratory issues.
Comprehensive Approach: They use a variety of techniques, including exercise therapy, manual therapy, and modalities such as heat or cold treatments. They also provide education on injury prevention, posture, and ergonomics.
Osteopaths Focus and Principles:
Holistic Approach: Osteopaths view the body as an integrated whole, emphasizing the interrelationship between the body’s systems. Their main principle is that the artery is supreme – meaning that focusing on circulation and optimal articulation of the joints will help drive recovery and overall health and can affect other systems.
Self-Healing: They emphasise the body’s ability to heal itself and use hands-on techniques to facilitate this process. Osteopaths often address underlying issues that might be contributing to a patient’s symptoms.
Comprehensive Treatment: Osteopathic treatment may include a combination of manipulation, stretching, articulation of joints, as well as advice on exercise and lifestyle changes. They also provide education and offer advice on posture, ergonomics, and exercises.
How do Osteopaths differ to Chiros and Physios?
FAQs
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine that recognises the importance between function and structure of the body. Osteopaths aim to assist the healing of the body by focusing on how the muscles, joints, nerves, circulation, and connective tissue function together as a unit.
Holistic care means treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. At Total You Osteopathy, we take a comprehensive approach, addressing how different parts of your body work together. Our hands-on techniques aim to support your body’s natural healing process by focusing on alignment, mobility, and overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with pain, stress, or postural issues, our goal is to restore balance and help you achieve long-term health.
Osteopaths can treat a variety of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint issues, sports injuries, postural problems, and even digestive or respiratory concerns. Osteopathy is effective for both acute and chronic conditions. To find out what symptoms we can help you with, click here.
No, just call or book online.
Yes, If you have had an accident and wish to apply for ACC we can help you with all the paperwork, and lodge the claim here at the clinic. If you are unsure if your complaint comes under ACC we will help to answer this.
Because we are a small practice, you will be charged at the time of your appointment and given a receipt. This can then be sent to your insurers who reimburse you, should your health insurance cover Osteopathic Care. Simply contact your insurance provider to double check if osteopathic services are included.
Initial consultation: 1 hour
Follow up appointments: 30-minutes
You can request longer follow up appointments, but the price will be reflected in this additional time.
Initial Appointment
Your very first appointment will be 1 hour, allowing us to take a thorough case history. This will include your current problem, past medical history and all your injuries. We want to understand where you and your body have been up until this point. We want to make sure we know everything that could be contributing to any issues you may have. The more we know the more effective treatment will be and the more likely we will achieve what it is you are seeking.
Physical Examination
A proper physical examination allows us to pinpoint exactly what structures and factors are causing your problems. This not only allows us to give you a clear diagnosis, prognosis and timeline of our expectations for you to get better, but also to help us treat more effectively giving you a more focused comprehensive treatment.
Hands-On Treatment
Treatment will be dependent on the findings from the examination and case history. Treatment will be tailored to the patient’s wants, needs and preferences and includes a variety of techniques including the use of soft tissue massage, articulation and gentle manipulative techniques. Throughout the hands-on treatment, you will be provided with some suggestions for lifestyle changes, nutritional plans, exercise plans and dietary supplements.
Treatment Plans
No longer feel invisible when you leave a health appointment. We know what you do outside of the treatment room is just as, if not more important, than the treatment itself. You will leave your appointment knowing a “working diagnosis” explained to you in a way for you to explain back to your loved one waiting at home, what you need to be doing, what you need to stop doing, and the changes that need to happen between now and the next appointment. You will agree to every step of the way based on your time, other life commitments and financial situation.
Ongoing Appointments
These will be 30 minutes, allowing for a brief understanding of the symptom picture since the last appointment, physical examination and treatment. The number of appointments needed will depend on the severity of your issue and will be agreed by you with your practitioner’s advice. Total You Osteopathy is a true partnership.
Maintenance Care
Maintenance appointments are at your discretion. Most patients will be keen for maintenance appointments anywhere between 4 weeks to 12 weeks. We never remain in one place, once your pain is gone your goals are likely to change, along with your needs. Routine care helps to keep you on top of any issues and ensure they do not cause you problems in the future. We can help you be who you want to be.
New Patient ACC (1 hour): $98
New Patient Private (1 hour): $138
Return Patient ACC (30 mins): $75
Return Patient Private (30 mins): $114
Return Patient ACC (60 Mins): $119
Return Patient Private (60 mins): $198
Yes, osteopathy is a safe and gentle form of manual therapy. Osteopaths are trained to assess and treat a wide range of conditions while considering your overall health. Your osteopath will ensure the treatment is appropriate for your specific needs.
As Osteopathy is a manual medicine, a large part of treatment is hands-on, and usually involves moving various parts of your body. Make sure you wear loose and comfortable clothing. Depending on the area being looked at, it may be necessary to undress down to your underwear. Please make sure you speak to us if you feel uncomfortable in any way. We can always accommodate your needs.
Most Osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause high levels of discomfort. At times, hands-on treatment of painful or tender areas will be necessary, and in these cases, we will take care to make you as comfortable as possible. Some people experience some soreness for a day or two after treatment as their body reacts and adjusts. If this persists or increases, contact your osteopath.
We know from experience that a lot of problems can be resolved well within 3-4 treatments. Sometimes 1-2 visits are all that is needed, alternatively, with older or more complex conditions this can take longer to resolve dependent on the case. You will be informed throughout your treatments what your time frame for recovery will be.