We diagnose and treat clients by viewing the body as a healing unit. Depending upon the practitioner you have seen in the past, the Osteopathic approach may seem very holistic. There is an inevitable blending together of techniques between all of the professions, but as a whole, you will probably find it a very unique experience consulting me for Osteopathic services. Furthermore, everyone is different so you may need less or more of a particular approach or treatment, depending on your circumstances, causes of pain and preferences. Try to keep an open mind when you come for treatment. In addition, all treatment methods used by me are well established methods, used and taught by Osteopaths within the Osteopathic profession.

If you have only had manipulation and massage in the past this will seem a very different approach because it is a less active technique. It is a very tailored and individual approach to treating the client.

The main representative body for Osteopaths Australia wide is the Australian Osteopathic Association (A.O.A.) which deals with issues specific to the profession ie. Continuing education, promotion and legislation issues.

Additionally, as of July 2004, people with chronic conditions and complex care needs who are being managed through an Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan may be eligible for up to five allied health services per year on referral from their General Practitioner.

Osteopaths fall under the umbrella of eligible allied health professionals in this scheme. I am a registered provider with the health insurance commission (HIC).

There is an out of pocket expense of $20.05 after the $44.95 Medicare benefit has been claimed.

My interest in health began as a young boy having a mother with an unorthodox interest in alternative medicine and a father who came from a science background. The combination of these influences combined with my own natural propensity to “ask why” and explore lead me to study at University for 10 years to study Osteopathy, Traditional Chinese Acupuncture and Naturopathy. At the end of my study I have a solid grounding in Traditional Chinese diagnosis, Naturopathic priciples and due to my double science degree a solid grounding in medical diagnosis. This has enabled me to offer a service and level of care that matches my passionate desire to know whilst having the training of a primary health care practitioner so that you know you are being accurately diagnosed.

My ongoing work with the Alfred Hospital (treating the staff and working with the Doctor in charge of Occupational Health) and my past history of working with Dr. Alain Rose in his medical rooms for a decade has also given me a solid grounding of working in a medical model.

My style of treatment has and continues to evolve due to my ongoing commitment to professional development. I go away yearly to do post graduate studies to stay ontop of the latest advances and to improve my skills. I use a postural, structural and cranial approach in my diagnosis and treatment, although Cranial Osteopathy is my passion, and utilise traditional Chinese diagnosis, Acupuncture and many Naturopathic modalities such as vitamins, minerals, herbs and diet to complete the holistic approach.

I have especially chosen the path of Cranial Osteopathy because of it’s enormous potential for stimulating the body’s own self corrective mechanism.

If you are here for an Osteopathic treatment I will look at your posture ask you to move certain parts, draw a picture of your postural imbalance and explain the course of action. I will then treat you.

If you want Naturopathy then I will begin to discuss diet and suggest a range of supplements that you can take to address your deficiencies and begin on a path to better health.

For Acupuncture you will get a half an hour treatment.

Generally a course of 4-6 Osteopathic treatments is required for recently developed problems. Factors that can affect the speed of recovery will also need to be addressed and appropriate lifestyle changes instituted.

I will be using traditional Chines method of pulse and tongue diagnosis to assess your imbalances and vitality. I will then select acupuncture points to help your body heal itself.

And by the way … it is almost painless. Just ask any of my clients who have it done.

What problems can be treated by Acupuncture?

The World Health Organisation has said that Acupuncture is suitable for treating the following:

1. Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders
   Toothaches, pain after tooth extraction, earaches, sinus inflammation or dryness.
2. Respiratory Disorders
   Uncomplicated bronchial asthma in children or adults.
3. Gastrointestinal Disorders
   Digestive tract problems, hiccoughs, inflammation of the stomach, chronic duodenal ulcers, inflammation of the colon, constipation, diarrhoea, dysentery caused by certain bacteria.
4. Eye Disorders
   Inflammation of the conjunctiva and central retina, nearsightedness (in children) and uncomplicated cataracts.
5. Nervous System and Muscular Disorders
   Headaches, migraines, certain facial paralysis or nerve pain, partial weakness after a stroke, inflammation of the nerve endings, bed wetting, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, low back pain and osteoarthritis

Generally no but frequently when the needle is stimulated you may feel some cramping, heaviness, tingling or electric sensation either around the needle or travelling up or down the affected meridian or energy pathway.

Discomfort is usually mild to non extistent. If a needle is sharp it is immediately removed as it may indicate a little blood vessel has been pricked. The pain will immediately go when the needle is removed.

There are a number of theories involving reducing muscular spasm and trigger points in muscle and affecting nerve flow but these are inadequate to explain the broad range of health disorders that Acupuncture is useful for.

Traditional Acupuncture is based upon ancient Chinese theories of the flow of qi (energy) and Xue (blood) through distinct meridians or pathways that cover the body somewhat like nerves and blood vessels. According to ancient theory acupuncture allows qi to flow to areas where it is deficient and away from where it is in excess. In this way Acupuncture regulates and restores the harmonious energetic balance of the body.

In Chinese there is a saying "There is no pain if there is free flow: if there is pain there is no free flow".

I am also trained in a broad range of other disciplines, which adds to my diagnostic skills, so you will benefit from this combination when I assess you. This also means that I have the skills to broadly assess, and advise, which treatment approach may better suit the management of your condition.

You may notice a spot of blood or bruise at the site of the needles after the treatment. These should not be harmful but please discuss this with me if you are concerned. People can also feel relaxed and occasionally a bit light headed after treatment. You may also find you sleep more peacefully, feel more energetic, relaxed and your bowels regulate.

Typically 3-4 months of supplements constitute a course of treatment. This is because the body does not respond immediately and needs time for repair and cell turnover. Supplements may include vitamins, minerals and herbs which will not only treat your specific complaint but also address broadly other areas that are contributing to your imbalance. Hence I will be treating the various causes and not just the symptoms. We also aim to keep you well after this initial improvement phase so it is recommended that a maintenance regimen of supplements be taken. This might just be a tailored multivitamin for your needs or some other supplements to maintain detoxification and your energy up.

Though naturopathic remedies can occassionally interfere with orthodox prescriptions many drug-supplement interactions are well known now. So with careful monitoring our aim is to use these medications to enhance the immune system, detoxify any unwanted and stored toxins, address nutritional insufficiencies which are common in the western diet and lifestyle and improve the body's capacity for self healing.

Pressure is applied to various tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and some joint structures.

Although it largely affects those muscles just under the skin, its benefits may also reach the deeper layers of muscle and possibly even the organs themselves.

Massage also stimulates blood circulation and assists the lymphatic system (which runs parallel to the circulatory system), improving the elimination of waste throughout the body.