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Photo (left to right) Rob Southwood, Glen Chapman, Matt Hempsell, Kim Ritchie, Eddie Santamaria.
National Osteopathy Awareness Week April 13 to 19 - 2014
With Osteopathy Awareness week approaching in April, Osteopaths from Port Macquarie have united in creating an awareness of this historical and ever-growing profession. hen did Osteopathy Who would see an Osteopath? begin? Anyone and everyone! Babies, children, The practice of professional athletes, the elderly and everyone inOsteopathy began in between. Osteopaths have skilled diagnostic skills the United States in and training to adapt treatment and treatment 1874 through Andrew plans to suite everyone. Taylor Still, MD, DO, who was a physician and Isn’t Osteopathy only for your back or surgeon. It then expanded to the UK, bones? with the first Osteopathic school NO! Osteopaths treat more than being established in 1917. It you think and focus on how your gradually expanded to the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, rest of the world. Now, circulatory system, connective over 50,000 people tissue and internal organs Osteopaths are d see an Osteopath in university traine s function as a whole unit. of 5 year Australia every week. Many structural problems for a minimum ysiology, in anatomy, ph l What is in the body may affect ra pathology, gene Osteopathy? proper mobility or function sis medical diagno Osteopathy is a form and can lead to other c and osteopathi of manual healthcare problems. Osteopaths treat techniques.” which recognises the a vast variety of injuries important link between and dysfunctions, including, the structure of the body and but not limited to; back & neck the way it functions. Osteopaths pain, bursitis, foot, ankle, knee & hip focus on how the skeleton, joints, injuries, headaches, postural issues, joint muscles, nerves, circulation, connective pain, pregnancy related musculo-skeletal issues, tissue and internal organs function as a sciatica, sporting injuries and much more. whole unit, Osteopaths can identify important What type of training do Osteopaths types of dysfunction in your body and they utilize undertake? a wide range of various hands-on techniques, In Australia, Osteopaths are university including; stretching and massage for general trained for a minimum of 5 years in anatomy, treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and ligaments) along with mobilisation of specific and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are joints and soft tissues. primary healthcare practitioners and are trained
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to recognise conditions which require medical referral. They are also trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems. Is Osteopathy covered by Health Funds? Yes! Osteopathy is covered by nearly all private health funds in Australia. We are also supported under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) scheme, via a GP referral. Osteopaths are registered providers for the Department of Veteran Affairs. Why a National Osteopathy Awareness week? Osteopathy in Australia is still a relatively young and small profession, with just under 2,000 Osteopaths Australia wide. The week of 13-19 April is to promote awareness to the general public of the long and successful history of Osteopathy and how it has been tried and tested in helping people for centuries. Osteopathy in Port Macquarie? We currently have 7 Osteopaths operating in Port Macquarie who are dedicated to providing the best possible health care service to the local community, so ‘call an Osteopath today!’ ONE HEALTH Osteopathy & Sports Injury Clinic – 6584 5343, www.onehealthclinic.com.au Port Macquarie Osteopathy – 6583 8700, www.portmacquarieosteopaths.com East West Health - 0414 497 816 Total Balance Osteopathy – 6584 6122 Manning Osteopathic Centre – 0407 929 633 www.manningosteocentre.com