Common Questions About Osteopathy: What Can an Osteopath Help With?

If you’ve never seen an osteopath before, you might be wondering what we actually do, what we treat, and whether osteopathy might be appropriate for you.

Osteopaths are university-trained allied health practitioners who assess and manage a range of musculoskeletal concerns. This includes problems involving the muscles, joints and surrounding tissues — but an osteopathy appointment often involves looking at more than just the area that hurts.

Here are some of the questions we commonly hear about osteopathy.

Can an osteopath help with back pain?

Yes, back pain is one of the most common reasons people see an osteopath.

Back pain can have many different contributors, including changes in joint or muscle function, workload, prolonged positions, exercise, previous injuries and changes in how your body is moving.

Your osteopath will assess your back as well as other areas that may be contributing to your symptoms, such as your hips, pelvis or surrounding muscles.

Treatment may include hands-on techniques, movement and exercise advice, and strategies to help you manage your symptoms between appointments.

Can an osteopath help with neck pain?

Osteopaths commonly assess and treat people experiencing neck pain and stiffness.

Depending on your presentation, your osteopath may look at your neck, upper back, shoulders and other surrounding areas to understand what may be contributing to your symptoms.

We can also discuss factors such as work setup, training, sleep positions and everyday activities that may be placing additional load on your neck.

Can I see an osteopath for headaches?

Some headaches can be associated with structures around the neck, upper back and jaw.

An osteopath can assess whether musculoskeletal factors may be contributing to your headaches and determine whether osteopathic management is appropriate.

Importantly, not every headache is musculoskeletal. If your symptoms suggest that further medical assessment is required, your osteopath can refer you back to your GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.

Can an osteopath help with hip pain?

Yes. Hip pain is another common reason people book an osteopathy appointment.

Pain around the hip can come from a number of different structures and may be influenced by your lower back, pelvis, muscles, tendons and how you're loading the area.

An osteopathic assessment can help identify possible contributors to your symptoms and develop an individual management plan.

What about shoulder pain?

Osteopaths can assess a range of shoulder complaints, including pain associated with movement, exercise, work or everyday activities.

Because the shoulder works closely with your neck, upper back, ribs and shoulder blade, your assessment may involve looking beyond the exact location of your pain.

Can I see an osteopath for a sporting or gym-related injury?

Absolutely.

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to have a “sports injury”. We regularly see people experiencing pain or injuries associated with the gym, running, Pilates, team sports and other forms of exercise.

Your osteopath can assess the injury, help you understand what may be contributing to it and work with you on gradually returning to the activities you enjoy.

Can I see an osteopath during pregnancy?

Yes.

Pregnancy involves significant changes to your body as your baby grows. Some people experience back pain, pelvic discomfort, hip pain, rib discomfort or other musculoskeletal symptoms during pregnancy.

Osteopathic care can be modified throughout pregnancy, with your treatment and positioning adapted to keep you comfortable.

Is osteopathy just cracking your back?

No!

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions about osteopathy.

There are many different techniques an osteopath may use, and manipulation is only one option. Treatment might include soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation, stretching, movement-based treatment and exercise rehabilitation.

Your treatment should always be based on your individual presentation, preferences and goals.

And if there’s a technique you don’t like or don't feel comfortable with, tell us. There are usually plenty of other options.

What happens during my first osteopathy appointment?

Your first appointment starts with a conversation.

We’ll ask about what has brought you in, when your symptoms started, what makes them better or worse, your medical history and how the problem is affecting your everyday life.

Your osteopath will then complete an assessment, which may involve looking at your movement, strength, joints and other relevant areas.

We’ll talk you through what we find, discuss your options and, where appropriate, begin treatment.

You’ll also usually leave with advice or exercises to help you continue working on things outside the treatment room.

Do I need a referral to see an osteopath?

No. You can book directly with an osteopath without a referral from your GP.

There are some circumstances where paperwork or a referral may be required, such as certain compensable or funded healthcare arrangements, so contact our team if you're unsure.

What if I’ve had pain for a long time?

You can still see an osteopath.

Pain that has been present for months or years can be more complex than a recent injury, and there isn't always one single structure responsible.

Your osteopath can assess your current function, discuss what may be contributing to your symptoms and help develop realistic goals around movement, strength, activity and symptom management.

How do I know if I should see an osteopath?

If pain, stiffness or an injury is affecting your movement, exercise, work or everyday activities, an osteopathic assessment may be a useful place to start.

And if we don't think osteopathy is the right option for you, we'll tell you.

Part of our role is recognising when further investigation or assessment from your GP or another healthcare professional may be more appropriate.

Looking for an osteopath in Healesville?

Yarra Valley Women’s Health provides osteopathy in Healesville for a wide range of musculoskeletal concerns.

Our osteopaths see people experiencing back and neck pain, headaches, hip and shoulder pain, sporting and exercise-related injuries, pregnancy-related pain and other musculoskeletal concerns.

Whether something has only just started or has been bothering you for a long time, we can assess what's going on and discuss the options available to you.

Book an osteopathy appointment with our Healesville team or get in touch if you're unsure which appointment is right for you.