Osteopathy is a form of drug-free, non-invasive manual medicine with a whole-body health focus. It aims to support the body's innate ability to self-heal.
Osteopathy will often focus on treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework – including the joints, muscles, spine, and connective tissue – and improving how they function collectively. It also strives to positively affect the body's nervous, circulatory, lymphatic systems and internal organs.
For those that have never had an osteopathic treatment, it’s similar to having a combined chiropractic and physio treatment. It’s a unique holistic (whole body) approach to health care. It looks at the body as a single unit – therefore not just focusing on the site of your pain – and looks at where the problem might have started, in your body.
Osteopaths use a combination of manual techniques to restore balance to all the systems of the body – thus improving your overall health and well-being. Different techniques that can be used in an osteopathic treatment are: pumping, traction, manipulations, stretching, muscle energy, counter strain techniques or high velocity-low amplitude.
Our osteopaths undertake a careful examination before recommending any treatment. We take a case history and observe how you and your body functions when you stand, sit and lie down. Using a method called ‘palpation’ (exploring body tissue through touch) we detect obstructions and barriers, which areas are healthy and which are in pain.
The removal of these barriers (through treatment) can often have far reaching effects. It can greatly improve the overall function of the body and provide relief and renewed freedom of movement, thereby enhancing your health and well-being.
Available services to treat...
Michael has always had a passion for health and wellbeing. Being involved in all things sport from a young age, both playing and coaching, Michael had his fair share of injuries. Intrigued by his treating health professionals and their wealth of knowledge, Michael gained assistance with his recovery through manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation. As a result, Michael loves being able to connect with and help people get back to doing what they love, with an increased ability to participate fully in their daily activities.
At Tyack Health your Practitioner is here to assist in your recovery. We believe that your care continues after your appointment – you are a valued patient and we will continue to nurture you back towards full health. This is why follow-up appointments are sometimes recommended, so that the job isn’t left half-done!
All patients are invited to phone and speak with your Practitioner concerning exacerbations of pain, difficulty with exercises and any other treatment-related questions you may have. Even though we always expect the best possible outcomes, misconceptions or reactions to treatment are possible. Therefore it is important for us to know if you have any problems or difficulties so that we can serve you more appropriately in the future. If the Osteopath is unable to attend your call, all efforts will be made to contact you as soon as possible.
Note: We also love to hear from you when things are going great!
Do I have a slipped disc?
A “slipped disc” is a misnomer, discs can’t really slip but can bulge, tear or deteriorate. However these problems are not as common as people perceive. In fact CT scan studies have shown that around 40% of the population have a bulging disc, which causes them no pain or problem at all. Correlation with clinical symptoms is paramount for this to be a relevant diagnosis. Other structures may well be the pain-producing culprit. Even serious disc bulges and tears are treatable and normally return to pre-injury levels with conservative care.
Do I have a pinched nerve?
Often people think that a pinching or stabbing sensation means they have a pinched nerve. These stabbing or grabbing sensations are more often attributed to muscle spasm or irritation of the sensory nerves surrounding a joint, which leads to the inability to move normally. Restoration of correct joint function by your Osteopath should help relieve that pinching feeling.
What is Sciatica? Do I have it?
True sciatic pain is compression of the sciatic nerve (usually by a disc bulge or protrusion, or degenerative compression in the lumbar spine) which leads to referral of pain down the leg, specifically in a path behind the knee to the foot and toes. Although the condition is not uncommon, most low back and buttock pain complaints are not sciatica. Ask your practitioner to explain what is causing you pain and discomfort.
How long will it take to get better?
Sometimes relief of symptoms may happen almost instantly, but more often than not healing takes time. Be patient. Many factors affect the healing process. For long lasting relief, follow suggestions given to you by your Practitioner and work on a long-term change, which will lessen the frequency and severity of relapses. We will guide you through your recovery process.
Do I have to keep coming back?
No. How long you decide to benefit from Osteopathic care is always your choice. Your program of care will take into consideration your goals and objectives. What you want to achieve is of paramount importance. Your Osteopath will offer advice and direction, and together mutual goals for your care can be developed and achieved.
It’s not improving, what do I do now?
In some cases recovery does take longer than expected, however, we expect results, if you are not improving please raise and discuss this with your practitioner or simply ask our reception team to put you through to management so we can arrange for a second opinion. At Tyack Health we work as a team on more complex cases and are dedicated to helping you reach your health care needs. Our team will most likely have other approaches available to help you improve and overcome any initial slow start. Please ask your practitioner or management about what other options are available to you. Our team leaders are also available to help you choose an alternative practitioner or treatment to help you get back on track.
Is Osteopathic Care just cracking the back?
At Tyack Health we use a range of different techniques. Some people are not candidates for manipulation and others just prefer a different approach. A range of care options may be utilised including massage, soft tissue release techniques, supportive exercises, home advice and stretches as well as spinal adjustments. If you are uncomfortable with any mode of treatment, please tell your practitioner so that they may accommodate your needs. The treatment administered is your choice. Never feel obliged to have any technique performed that you are not completely comfortable with.
Am I too old for Osteopathic Care?
No. Even advanced osteoporotic patients can receive Osteopathic care. Although spinal adjustments are probably out of the questions, a range of other techniques may be used to help you achieve your health goals.
Self cracking makes me feel better. Is it good for me or will it cause arthritis?
Self manipulation will probably not cause arthritis, however it is a major contributing cause of chronic back and neck pain. Self cracking is non-specific and leads to hyper-mobility and as a result, painful reactive muscle spasm and stiffness. To achieve long term comfort and success you should stop this immediately. It will probably take 2 weeks to break this pain, spasm cycle. Ice therapy may assist in this transition period. Discuss this with your Osteopath on your next visit.
I’ve been told that I have arthritis, does this mean I can’t be helped?
Absolutely not. Research shows that there is actually little correlation between the amount of degeneration and the pain that a person is suffering. In most cases there are a number of issues contributing to the pain and dysfunction and often these factors can be addressed and resolved. Arthritis does not equal pain, in fact, degeneration starts in our early twenties and some people have advanced arthritis and don’t have pain at all. Get it checked out, there may be effective solutions to your problem you are not currently aware of.
How long will I need Osteopathic care?
Our aim is to help you form a plan and give direction to help you achieve your recovery goals. A range of factors can contribute to the length of time you will need to achieve your goals. Age, severity of the problem, the length of time you have been suffering, your self-discipline with the directions we give you, your general attitude and stress can all affect the length of time it takes you to recover.
Will it hurt?
Generally, no. Patients often describe treatment as “a relief” or “taking the pressure off”. If during treatment you experience discomfort let us know immediately so that we can modify our technique. Sometimes treatment may be uncomfortable if you are in a lot of pain or have acute inflammation and trauma. We always try to minimise irritation of pre-existing pain.
Why am I like this?
This is one of the most common question we are asked. Generally most people who come to our Osteopath are suffering from pain and expect that the problem started as a result of one specific event or “macro trauma”, however, most commonly pain and discomfort are as a result of repetition of smaller traumas, again and again. Poor posture, lifting mechanics, workstation setup, stress, sporting pursuits etc can all contribute and slowly progress to the stage where they suffer symptoms. Often accidents that happened years ago may be a major contributing factor in the discomfort that you are suffering now.
Department Hours
Monday 10.00am - 7.00pm
Tuesday 8.00am - 4.30pm
Thursday 10.00am - 7.00pm
Consultation Fees
Initial Consultation - (45mins) $110
Standard Consultation - (30mins) $95
Cancellation Policy
We understand that life is unpredictable and you may not always be able to make your scheduled appointment. If you can’t make an appointment please contact our reception at least 24 hours prior to cancel or arrange for another time.
Missed appointments and appointments cancelled without 24 hours notice may be charged the full consultation fee.
Contact our Reception team on (07) 3249 5333 for further information.
