What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy takes a holistic approach to assessments and treatments, focusing on your neuro-musculoskeletal system: the bones, muscles, nerves and other tissues that support your body and control its movements.
What does an osteopath treat?
All sorts of things! From acute pain – such as a sudden ache or a sports-related injury – to ongoing chronic pain, osteopaths will ask specific questions and assess the relevant areas of your body to try to determine the root cause of your discomfort.
Each person, condition and injury is unique, so treatments and advice will differ from person to person. You do not need a referral from a GP to book in for an appointment with an osteopath. Jess can also see people with chronic disease management (CDM) plans, Workcover, TAC and DVA referrals.
*please note: CDM, Workcover and TAC consultations, the full fee payment is required at the time of treatment. We do not bulk bill.
Who can an osteopath treat?
The short answer = anybody! No matter how you identify or your personal circumstance, you are unique and so is your pain – something that Jess will gladly try to address through an osteopathic treatment.
Jess can treat people of any age, including babies – she has a particular interest and experience in paediatric treatments.
Common conditions include:
Low back pain – Headaches /migraine – Neck pain – Shoulder injuries – Tennis/golfers elbow – Foot pain – Hip and knee pain – Pregnancy-related pain – Paediatric concerns – Bursitis – Tendinopathies – Wrist and hand complaints.
COVID-19 note: Jess is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and has strict measures in place to protect the health and safety of her and her patients.
How does an osteopath differ to other health professions?
There are some similarities between an osteopath and other health professions, such as physiotherapists or chiropractors, but where osteopathy differs is the whole-of-body approach: osteopaths consider the body in its entirety, not just the area of complaint.
The principles of osteopathy include:
- treating the body as a unit
- structure and function are interrelated
- the body can self-heal and self-regulate.
Osteopaths complete extensive university training (4-5 years) and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
What can I expect during my appointment?
If it’s your first time at Atlas Osteopathy, you’ll be required to fill out a patient form with some basic questions about you and your health.
Your first appointment will take up to 45 minutes (pelvic health appointments differ, see below), where Jess will take some extra time to ask questions about your complaint and your medical history. Jess will then complete a thorough assessment, which helps form a diagnosis. We then proceed to treatment on parts of the body before going through exercises and/or stretching advice and ongoing treatment options.
You should wear clothes you are comfortable moving in – depending on the area of your body requiring treatment, you may be asked to undress to your underwear. If you are asked to remove clothing, you will be covered with a towel during the treatment.
Jess will take detailed notes during and after every appointment, to note your condition and track your progress. Follow-up appointments take up to 30 minutes each.
How much do appointments cost?
Initial Appointment (45mins) = $105
Subsequent Appointment (30mins) = $85
Extended Subsequent Appointment (45mins) = $105
Initial Pelvic Health Appointment (60mins) = $150
Subsequent Pelvic Health Appointment (45mins) = $110
Atlas Osteopathy uses HICAPs facilities for on the spot claiming for medicare and private health insurance providers.
Is there a set number of times I have to visit an osteopath?
No – there is no “magic number” of appointments that you have to attend, or a specific frequency of appointments. Because every patient and every treatment plan is unique, Jess will provide guidance on if and when you should next return for a treatment – this does not prevent you from attending sooner if your complaint worsens or another arises.
Can an osteopath provide a referral to other procedures/treatment options?
Yes – if after your assessment, Jess believes you will require an external medical test or would benefit from a different form of treatment, she won’t hesitate to refer you where appropriate.
Osteopathy is just one form of medicine – Jess appreciates that everyone’s needs are different and there are some other excellent health services available in Romsey and surrounds
What if you’re not able to fix a certain issue that a patient presents with?
Osteopathy does not promise to be a cure-all – it is a science-based, holistic approach to treatment of the musculoskeletal system and treatments may effectively help to manage a range of conditions. Osteopathic treatments are also often a gradual process that can take some time, along with the willingness of the patient to provide honest feedback and follow through with any prescribed exercises or other recommended tasks.
If you are not satisfied that your osteopathic treatments are addressing your complaint, Jess can suggest alternative treatments or potentially refer you to another health practitioner.
Atlas Osteopathy 