Health Practitioners You Can Trust
What is osteopathy?
TRUST
Becoming an osteopath requires a four-year, full-time training programme and, upon qualification, must be registered with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand.
WHOLE PERSON
Osteopaths are trained to look at the whole person rather than focusing solely on specific symptoms or diseases. They consider the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health.
INTERCONNECTION
Osteopathy operates on the belief that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself and that the structure and function of the body are closely interconnected.
PREVENTION
As well as supporting injuries and concerns, emphasis is placed on preventive care, with the aim to prevent illnesses before they start rather than treating them after the fact.
HANDS-ON
Osteopaths use their hands to diagnose and support the musculoskeletal system. This can include stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance techniques.
EVIDENCE BASED
A growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of osteopathic treatment for various conditions, particularly those related to musculoskeletal pain. However, as with all treatments, individual results can vary.
Who Do Osteopaths Work With?
People seek out osteopaths for a variety of reasons, often related to pain, discomfort, or other health concerns related to muscles, joints, tissues or nerves.
Osteopathy takes a whole-body approach to support your natural functions. You might choose to visit an osteopath for many reasons.
Back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica
Neck , shoulder, elbow or wrist pain
Headaches or migraines
Sports injuries
Repetitive strain injuries
Pregnancy and post-pregnancy-related pain
Trauma after falls, car accidents or concussion
Sleeping, feeding or digestive problems in babies
Asthma or breathing-related disorders
Recurrent ear infections
Digestion or gynaecological concerns
What To Expect At Your Appointment With An Osteopath
Your osteopath will ask questions about your problem and symptoms at your first appointment. They may ask questions about previous injuries, your medical history, any medications you are taking, or other factors that may not appear to be directly related to your problem. This history gives your osteopath an overview of what’s going on and medical or lifestyle factors that may affect the care they give.
Next, your osteopath will conduct a full osteopathic examination and if necessary, clinical tests. This may involve diagnostic, orthopaedic or neurological tests, postural assessments and activities or exercises, which will help determine how best to manage your condition.
As osteopathy takes a holistic approach to treatment, your practitioner may look at other parts of your body and the area that is troubling you. For example, if you have a sore knee, your osteopath may also look at your ankle, pelvis and back.
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy. Hands-on treatment may include massage, stretching, repetitive movements, mobilisation and/or manipulation, or other gentle techniques. Most osteopathic treatment is gentle
and should not cause undue discomfort. If your injuries do require hands-on treatment of painful and tender areas, your osteopath will exercise care to make you as comfortable as possible.
Your osteopath may also provide education and advice to help you manage your condition between treatments. This may include giving you exercises to do at home or work.
After treatment, you may feel tired and need to rest. It is best to avoid strenuous exercise or work. Some people experience mild soreness for a day or two after treatment, similar to that felt after mild exercise. Call your osteopath to discuss your concerns if this soreness persists or increases significantly.
Generally, you would expect to see some changes in your symptoms after one or two visits; however, some long-term or chronic conditions may require a longer course or more frequent treatment.
If you have any concerns, your osteopath will be happy to discuss them with you.
FAQ About Seeing An Osteopath
Although many clients are referred by their doctor, or another health care professional, this is not required, and you can make an appointment directly with your osteopath. This even applies if you have had an accident and wish to submit an ACC claim.
Yes, your osteopath can help you with all the paperwork, and lodge the claim for you. Let your osteopath know if you have had an accident and wish to lodge a claim.
If you have any x-rays, test results or relevant medical notes bring these with you. For babies it may also be useful to bring their Plunket Book.
Most osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause high levels of discomfort. At times, hands on treatment of painful or tender areas will be necessary, and in these cases your osteopath will take care to make you as comfortable as possible. Some people experience some soreness for a day or two after a treatment as their body reacts and adjusts to the treatment. If this persists or increases, contact your osteopath to discuss it.
This varies, but most appointments will last between 30-60 minutes. In some cases your initial consultation may be longer than a follow up visit.
The costs of treatment vary between clinics and around the country. Remember to ask when you book your appointment. Some private health insurances will reimburse your fees, and treatment for an ACC covered injury will be less than a full fee, as you are only required to make a co-payment.
In New Zealand osteopathic training consists of a 5 year university program. Any osteopath who trained overseas has had their training assessed and approved to be of the same standard. These standards are set by our regulating authority, the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand. Each year, practicing osteopaths are required to complete a set amount of continuing professional development.
Although not a part of traditional osteopathy, some osteopaths have incorporated western medical acupuncture into their practice. These osteopaths have completed accredited postgraduate training and have an additional registration which sets and regulates standards.
Usually, there is a stipulation of requirement of first aid in other professions to obtain an APC (holding a current first aid).
We do not have such parameters. However being a PCHU (HSWA) we all must:
- provide adequate first aid equipment
- access to that equipment and first aid facilities
- have access to trained first aiders. So if you have not got a medical facility close by - you must have at least two people trained in first aid. To have a back up if that trained first aider is away on leave.
and it is good practice to at least have everyone trained in CPR minimum (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
You should also check your insurance policy - is this a requirement as a health practitioner? If so, employers must provide this.
This ruling is laid out on the worksafe website and should be part of every osteopaths H&S policy.