No. Osteopaths are government registered primary healthcare providers, so a medical referral is not required for osteopathic consultation and/or treatment. However, you will require a medical referral if you qualify for a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) claim or a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan.

Osteopaths complete a 5 year full time University degree that leads to a Bachelor/Masters qualification. Our training covers Osteopathic technique, anatomy, physiology, pathology, radiology, biomechanics, general medical and orthopaedic assessment and diagnosis. They are government registered healthcare providers registered to treat WorkCover, TAC and Veterans’ Affairs patients. Osteopaths are trained to recognise conditions which require medical referral or referral to another Allied Health practitioner.

Osteopathy has been practised for more than 100 years in Australia. Globally it is now widely recognised as one of the most scientifically validated and effective complementary therapies. Notably, the World Health Organisation recognises the osteopathic concept of somatic dysfunction as being scientifically proven.

Research on Osteopathy is undertaken continuously in Australia and abroad. Findings and outcomes from this research, published in the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, sustain the growth and development of the profession.

Osteopaths in Australia are nationally registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Osteopathy Australia (OA) acts as the national professional body representing Osteopaths. The Osteopaths at Canterbury Health Hub are both registered with the Osteopathy Board of Australia associated with AHPRA and are members of OA.

Furthermore, the Osteopaths at Canterbury Health Hub regularly complete further Professional Development (PD) and post graduate study.

Some of the osteopathic techniques used include:

1. Soft tissue massage techniques – direct physical action on the muscle and other soft tissues of your body, including your tendons, ligaments and other connective tissues. This aids in relaxing muscles, increases blood circulation and lymph flow and improves the healing time of injured tissue.
2. Stretching techniques – lengthening of the muscle by moving the two ends of the muscle apart.
3. Articulation/mobilization technques – the movement of joints through their range of motion in order to increase range of motion of joints and restore function.
4. High Velocity Low Amplitude (HVLA) techniques – the technical term for manipulation, whereby the Osteopath uses a method of maintaining precise positioning of a joint, followed by a short, quick action.
5. Muscle Energy techniques (MET) – in which tight muscles are gently released by alternately being stretched and made to work against resistance. This helps to restore function to the muscles and surrounding joint structures.
6. Counter-strain techniques – in which a release of restriction is achieved by the placement of the affected joint or muscle into a position of comfort, while applying a ‘counter’ stretch to the antagonists of the tight muscles.
7. Functional techniques – whereby the dysfunctional joint is placed into its preferred resting position, allowing a gentle release of the joint to occur.
8. Osteopathy in the Cranial Field/Biodynamic Approach – gentle release of all the structures using the fluid forces of the body.

Please bring any relevant X-rays, Ultrasound, CT or MRI scans and results of these investigations with you (if possible) to your appointment for review by your Practitioner. Please also bring any other relevant information regarding medication/s that you are currently taking or have taken in the past.

If you are claiming back from your treatment, please bring your Private Health Insurance card, relevant WorkCover documentation, Motor Vehicle claim details, Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) referral form and card and Chronic Disease Management (CDM) documentation.

Please ensure that you arrive approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled time of your initial appointment to enable you to complete our initial questionnaire form and other relevant forms.

Please wear comfortable and loose clothing if possible.

Most health insurance funds provide rebates for Osteopathic treatment. Your rebate is determined by the level of cover that you have with your health fund insurance provider, including any ancillary cover. Please note that private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Osteopathy, Remedial Massage, Myotherapy and Pregnancy Massage treatment. Please contact your health fund for full details of these benefits.

Yes. Canterbury Health Hub has EFTPOS facilities and also offers the HICAPS facility. This enables you to receive your private health rebate on-the-spot. Please bring in your health fund membership card and present it when paying for your treatment.

Please note that private health funds provide varying levels of cover for Osteopathy, Remedial Massage, Myotherapy and Pregnancy Massage treatment. Please contact your health fund for full details of these benefits.

Yes. Canterbury Health Hub is an approved service provider for WorkCover and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) Insurance claims. Cover for these services must be arranged with your insurance company. At your initial consultation, it is essential that you: 1. Provide a letter from your insurance company confirming that your claim has been approved 2. Provide your claim number 3. Provide full contact details of the insurance company.

Please note that full payment is required on the day of your treatment/s, other than for DVA treatments. Please contact your relevant Insurance company to claim your rebate.

Canterbury Health Hub is also an approved service provider for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). A medical referral is required, so please obtain this before your consultation.

Osteopathic treatment is only covered by Medicare if you qualify for the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program. The Osteopaths at Canterbury Health Hub are registered to accept referrals for patients with chronic conditions under the CDM program. Please consult with your doctor to determine whether you qualify for this program.

Yes. Onsite parking is available for your convenience. Please enter via Stanley Terrace.

Further all day parking is available on both the in-bound and out-bound sides of Canterbury Road, directly outside our clinic. Further parking is available within surrounding side streets.

Yes. The Chatham Train Station is only a 150 metres walk, whilst the Canterbury Train Station is only a 300 metres walk from the clinic.

In order that you achieve the most from your treatment, we recommend that you follow these simple guidelines:

1. Try to rest for a few hours following your appointment. It is not uncommon to be slightly sore after treatment so a little rest goes a long way!

2. Keep mobile – unless otherwise advised by your
Practitioner, have several short walks in the following few days after your treatment and avoid sitting for long periods.

3. Drink increased amounts of water – this helps to flush toxins from your system.

4. Rest from vigorous activity for a few days following treatment. This includes heavy gardening and lifting weights at the gym.

5. A hot shower or bath following treatment may help to relax your muscles.

Please seek advice from your Practitioner regarding these recommendations to ensure that they are appropriate for you.

Yes. Cranial osteopathy is a very gentle form of treatment that can be used to treat people of all ages, including babies and children. Some of our Osteopaths at CHH have completed a number of postgraduate courses in Cranial Osteopathy. For more information, please contact the clinic on (03) 9836 3688.

Absolutely! Osteopathic treatment throughout pregnancy can help to relieve a variety of symptoms. The osteopathic techniques used to treat a pregnant woman are both gentle and carefully selected to ensure that the mother-to-be is comfortable at all times. For further information, please refer to our section on ‘Osteopathy And Pregnancy’ in the Osteopathy services page.

Many new mothers receive osteopathic treatment following the birth of their newborn in order to correct the body imbalances that may be present, particularly to the pelvis, lower back and mid back region. Please ask your Osteopath when it would be appropriate to commence your osteopathic treatment following the delivery of your newborn.