Frequently Asked Questions
Osteopathy - Physiotherapy - Chiropractic
What’s the difference?
OSTEOPATHS take a very head to toe approach, as they believe that:
1. Your body is a unit
2. If the function of a joint changes so too does its structure, and vice versa
3. Your body has its own self healing mechanisms.
Meaning that Osteopaths want to identify both what is causing your pain, and why.
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS typically hone in on the region causing pain & assess that area. They will generally use less hands on therapy and more exercise prescription.
CHIROPRACTIC focuses on influencing the nervous system through manual therapy, rehabilitation and lifestyle advice.
OSTEOPATHS, PHYSIOTHERAPISTS & CHIROPRACTORS
Are all allied health practitioners
Are all university qualified
All treat musculoskeletal pain or injury or movement problems
May all use manual therapy and prescribe exercise during a consultation
Will all give you lifestyle advice to stay healthy
Will all work in collaboration with other health professionals, such as a GP
All must be registered under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) to practice
How do I decide between osteopathy, physiotherapy & chiropractic?
In short, we cannot answer that for you, as it is really a personal decision. The 3 disciplines are all very similar, with us all studying for 4 to 5 years, while being registered with AHPRA and therefore nationally regulated.
Most importantly though, we all aim to improve the function of your body.
The difference really comes from each disciplines treatment method, and their own philosophy behind it. Which you can read in a separate FAQ.
To put it simply, each discipline has the ability to help resolve any pain and/or restriction you may be feeling. With it being up to you as the individual, to decide which approach is best designed to help achieve your outcomes
What conditions do osteos treat?
Neck & Back Pain
Sciatic Pain
Hip, Knee, Foot Pain
Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist Pain
Arthritis Related Pain
Sports Injuries
Pre & Post-Partum Related Pain
Headaches and Migraines
TMJ (Jaw) Pain
Postural/Office Related Pain
What type of manual therapy techniques do osteos use?
Osteopaths use a mixture of direct and indirect techniques. Both treatment modalities aim to improve range of motion, reduce tightness and decrease pain levels. The way they achieve this aim however, is different.
In general, direct treatment means finding the restriction and working through it.
Examples of this include:
- Massage - Joint Articulation
- Joint Manipulation - Dry Needling
- Myofascial Release - Muscle Energy Techniques
Whereas indirect treatment means, finding the position of most comfort, to allow the body to relax. Examples of this include:
- Counter-Strain - Balanced Ligamentous Tension
- Cranial-Sacral - Facilitated Positional Release
What is Dry Needling?
Dry Needling is a technique whereby thin, acupuncture needles are inserted into a specific target area of the body that may be causing pain.
The main type of dry needling that we will use is myofascial dry needling, a treatment modality effective for treating muscle pain. Myofascial trigger points are taut bands of muscle fibres often causing pain locally and in a predictable referral pattern.
Myofascial dry needling works by relaxing the taut muscle fibres, reducing pain and reducing local inflammation, all aiding in restoring normal function of that particular muscle.
Dry Needling can also involve treatment of connective tissue, periosteum and other structures within the body. All dry needling modalities aim at reducing pain and restoring full function of the target tissue.
In an appointment that involves dry needling, you will be educated on the risks, benefits and alternative treatment options prior to the commencement of a dry needling treatment. You are always entitled to opt out of this treatment modality at any stage of the treatment.
What is the difference between Dry Needling & Acupuncture?
Dry Needling is defined as a a rapid, short term needling to altered or dysfunctional tissues in order to improve or restore function. It is specific to a target tissue. It may be performed by an acupuncture needle or any other injection needle without the injection of fluid.
Dry Needling treats mainly pain arising from muscle tissue or myofascial tissues.
Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific acupuncture points along the skin of the body, involving various methods such as penetration by thin needles of the application of heat, pressure or laser light.
