Patient information
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of allied health care that focuses on how your muscles, joints and body work together. Osteopaths use hands-on assessment and treatment, exercise rehabilitation and practical advice to help you manage muscle, joint and movement-related concerns.
University trained
Osteopaths in Australia complete an accredited university degree, typically around five years of study covering anatomy, physiology, clinical assessment and hands-on techniques.
Registered and regulated
Osteopathy is a government-regulated health profession. All practising osteopaths must be registered with the Osteopathy Board of Australia through AHPRA and meet ongoing professional standards.
A whole-person approach
Osteopaths assess how muscles, joints and daily demands interact — considering your work, activity, health history and goals, not just the sore spot.
Your appointment
What happens when you see an osteopath
An appointment usually starts with a conversation about your symptoms, health history, work, activity and goals, followed by a movement and physical assessment. Your osteopath will explain their findings, discuss a plan with you, and ask for your consent before any treatment.
Depending on your presentation, care may combine hands-on treatment, exercise rehabilitation, education and practical advice. If another health pathway is more appropriate, your osteopath will discuss referral options with you.
Do you need a referral?
No — you can book an osteopathy appointment directly, without a GP referral. A referral is only needed for certain funding pathways, such as Medicare Chronic Disease Management plans (from your GP) or DVA arrangements. Private health rebates may be available depending on your level of cover, and HICAPS is available for on-the-spot claiming.
Choosing a practitioner
Osteopath, physiotherapist or chiropractor?
Osteopaths, physiotherapists and chiropractors are all registered health professions in Australia, regulated through AHPRA. There is overlap in what they manage, and the differences are mainly in emphasis and approach. The right choice often comes down to your presentation, preferences and the individual practitioner.
Osteopaths
Assess and manage muscle, joint and movement-related concerns with an emphasis on whole-body assessment, hands-on techniques such as soft tissue work, joint mobilisation and manipulation, along with exercise and lifestyle advice.
Physiotherapists
Also assess and manage musculoskeletal concerns, and often have a strong emphasis on exercise-based rehabilitation. Physiotherapists work across many settings, including hospitals and sports clinics.
Chiropractors
Commonly focus on the spine and nervous system, with an emphasis on spinal adjustment and manipulation techniques as a core part of care.
If you are unsure whether osteopathy suits your situation, you are welcome to call either clinic — we are happy to discuss your circumstances, and to point you towards a different health pathway if that would serve you better.
Book at the clinic that suits you.
Choose Coolaroo or Epping for osteopathic care, exercise rehabilitation and practical advice tailored to your presentation.