What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic therapy based on the important inter-relatedness of our body’s structure and function as a holistic unit. Using skilled evaluation and diagnosis osteopaths can identify important types of dysfunction in your body. Specific manual osteopathic techniques are used, as part of the treatment, to help restore health.
Osteopathy, as a treatment system, was founded at the end of the 19th century by Dr.Andrew Taylor Still. He believed that by correcting problems in the body's structure and restoring normal blood supply through the use of manual techniques would free the body's ability to function and heal itself. Nowadays osteopathy is one of the most effective and safe treatments for a great number of our health problems.

„Movement is Life”! This is fundamental to the philosophy of Osteopathy.
Movement is an expression of vitality and is not seen purely as a physical activity, but more in the broader sense of “not being static or fixed”. Mobility is important for all structures of the body: muscles, bones, membranes, tissue, organs, nerves and vessels. Our body always aims at maintaining a balance. Though as soon as this balance is strongly disrupted (e.g. surgery, scars, accidents, pregnancy, birth, inflammation or stress) functional disorders and symptoms like pain may arise.

Osteopathic Therapy is based on the understanding of the body as a holistic Unit. It has self-regulatory mechanisms, and there exists a strong interrelationship of body, structures and functions.
Osteopathy requires a rigorous scientific knowledge base with great depth in scientific enquiry, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment skills. This is combined with the softer arts of listening and understanding, such as physical sensitivity, sympathy and empathy.
As Osteopaths we use physical manipulative techniques to help relieve strains, rebalancing interconnections to different areas of the body and improving circulation and mobility. It is a natural way, to help increase vitality, relieve symptoms and allow healing to follow.
We use a wide range of techniques, including massage, craniosacral therapy, functional medicine and joint mobilization. This breadth of approaches and techniques allows us to focus on every patient’s specific needs.

What can Osteopathy help with?

Osteopathy is used very effectively for many acute and chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system (such as back pain, neck problems, headache, problems of the temporomandibular joint, traumatic injuries etc.). It can also be of benefit in some functional disorders or conditions of the autonomic nervous system ( such as …examples..).
Osteopathy looks at the causes of a problem and it is the main aim to stop a problem or injury from recurring..

Especially for babies and infants Osteopathy is an appropriate possibility of treatment to help assist in the realignment and balancing of the body in a gentle way.
During a natural birth considerable forces are being placed on the infants body, especially on the head, tailbone and spine. Problems can arise, especially if the child moves through the birth canal in an unusual fashion or the mother has some structural problems with her tail bones or pelvis. Not to forget other situations, which greatly increase the force of the baby’s head, p.e. use of forceps, vacuum extraction or the use of oxytocic. It is easy to see why problems may arise. Often the head is exposed to multiple and complex forces, and it may become twisted and compressed, which can cause irritation of the nerves in that area.
Common problems, such as impaired suckling and swallowing, irritability of the stomach and colon, frequent spitting up or vomiting, colics, sleeplessness and later on learning disabilities and behavioral problems may benefit from osteopathic treatments

What happens, when I see the Osteopath?

The first consultation usually takes for up to one hour. It involves taking a full case history, thorough examination and, if appropriate, treatment. Subsequent treatments take approximately half an hour, but the required time may vary slightly depending on your needs.

Treatment costs

Cost per treatment: 70 €
You will have to pay for your own treatment. Some private health fund rebates may apply. Please check with your private health fund, if your personal cover qualifies for rebates.

Your Treatment

We aim to keep your appointments to a minimum and will be able to tell you within a short period of time whether we can treat you or if you require a referral. You can be assured that Osteopathy is very safe, and one of the most effective treatments available.

updated: 22.11.2010