What is osteopathy?

Information

Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners registered with AHPRA and the Osteopathy Board of Australia. Patients can check their osteopath’s registration online. Training to be an osteopath in Australia requires the successful completion of a five-year full-time university degree.
Osteopathy, also known as osteopathic medicine, was founded by Dr Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician in the 19th century. Osteopathic philosophy gives a holistic approach to health and stresses the importance of the musculoskeletal system in a person’s health and well-being. The aim of treatment is to support the body’s self-healing capacity.

Osteopathy involves clinical care of the neuro
musculoskeletal system, which is made up of the bones, muscles, nerves and other tissues that support your body and control its movements. Whilst also taking into consideration all the other systems of the body e.g. Cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive etc. due to the holistic approach to healthcare an Osteopath will also look at your sleep habits, diet/nutrition, social setting, ergonomics at work and physical activities.

Osteopaths use a whole-body approach to care for patients. This is sometimes called biopsychosocial care, which means they consider biological (body), psychological (mental) and social (environment) factors that may affect your health and wellbeing.

Osteopaths use your individual medical history and environmental factors to understand the root cause of your pain to develop a personalised plan to help you manage your pain and move better.