FAQ

FAQ's

How much does a treatment cost?

Treatment fees are the following:

Initial Consultation & Treatment: $158.00

Subsequent Consultation & Treatment: $138.00

Also is a $10 discount for pensioners & Students (under 18 years). You may also receive a $10 voucher on your Birthday:)

Do you have HICAPS?

Yes we have a HICAPS terminal, so you get your health fund rebate immediately and only pay the difference.

How long will my consultation take?

Generally sessions are about 45 – 65 minutes long.

How many sessions will I need?

Depending on the severity of your pain, we expect to see you initially for up to 4 (maybe 6) sessions. After that you decide when you need a tune up!

Can Medicare pay for my treatments?

Yes. It is called the EPC program and your GP refers you to me, as the allied health professional. You get up to 5 treatments per calendar year. The amount you get back from Medicare is currently about $55. So you only pay the gap per treatment, which is currently $62.90 (better than half price!)

How much do I get back from my Health Fund?

This question used to be easy. That is no longer the case. Once upon time all health funds Ancillary benefits were renewed at the end of a calendar year (Hospital cover was renewed at the end of the financial year).

Now each health fund varies when they renew your ancillary cover in 3 ways. Some are calendar year, some are financial year and some are the anniversary of the date you joined. Some pay more, depending on your membership level. Confusing isn’t it?

Sadly one particular big health fund (no names) still pay the same benefit for osteopathic treatment as they did several years ago. It’s ironic then, that your health fund is happy to increase your premiums by about 5% every year.

There is also one particular heath fund (also a major player, you know them well from their barrage of TV adverts… and I wonder how big that advertising budget is? ). If you’re a new member with this health fund, they automatically exclude osteopathy from their member’s benefits but happily include physiotherapy and chiropractic automatically.

Personally, I foresee some sort of government intervention coming shortly, in the aim of stricter regulation of ALL health funds because presently, it’s like trying to compare ‘apples and pears’. (I’ll keep you posted).

So on a happier note, I’m pleased to recommend a health fund that suits you for Osteopathy & importantly Hospital Cover & also I’ll mention the one’s that are less beneficial to you and our profession.

As the health funds ‘goal posts’ change from one year to the next, then so do my recommendations. So please talk to me in person about this, if you need some help in this area, when I see you next.

How does an Osteopath treat my condition?

Osteopathic treatment involves manual techniques including soft tissue stretching and massage, resisted muscle contractions, patient-inherent movements, joint articulation and manipulation. The treatment is gentle and conducted with the your assistance. Because osteopaths look at the ‘whole’ picture of human functioning, they also use a variety of approaches which acknowledge the many factors contributing to balance and health. We may therefore provide advice on exercise, posture and other aspects of daily life. This comprehensive approach to management will help you to achieve the best possible level of health.

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is based on the following principles. These direct the osteopathic diagnosis and treatment.

The body has a powerful self regulating capacity, that is able to regulate, defend and repair itself.
The structure of the body’s tissues will effect a tissues’s function.
When the normal adaptability is disrupted or when environmental changes overcome the body’s capacity for self-maintenance, dysfunction or disease may develop.
Tissue and organs which receive optimal nutrition, blood supply and drainage are more able to function well.
There are musculoskeletal components to disease that are not only part of the disease, but also contribute to the continuance of the disease.
Logical treatment of disease should consider these principles

What's the difference between Osteopathy, Chiropractic and Physiotherapy?

Since each of these three professions treat the same conditions, it is not surprising that this is one of the most common questions we are asked. Defining other professions isn’t our role, so this question is probably best answered by comparing your experiences with each approach.

What we can say is that osteopathy has been at the forefront of manual medicine treatment for nearly 150 years and therefore many of the manual treatment approaches used in other professions originated in osteopathy

How will I feel after the treatment?

Because your osteopath is diagnosing and correcting mechanical imbalance and restriction, after a treatment you may feel more energetic, balanced and mobile. If yours is a chronic or acutely inflamed problem, the massage and mobilisation may well cause some post treatment soreness, which usually passes in a couple of days. You may find that after treatment you feel inexplicably lighter, and are able to sleep well and wake refreshed for the first time in a long while. This is indicative of reduced mechanical strain in your structure. Quality of sleep is a great indicator of both your need for osteopathic therapy and your response to it.

Why are osteopaths allowed to be called Doctors?

Good question! As of 24 March 2011 Osteopathy Australia, along with other health professional associations in accordance with AHPRA governance, such as Chiropractors, are now referred to as Doctor (Dr.) in front of their name (through all AHPRA & Association communications, by default).

This is a purely honourary title. As long as the practitioner makes it clear that they are a Dr. of their particular profession i.e. Osteopathy. All practitioners must make it clear to everybody, including patients and the public, that they are NOT Medical Practitioners, i.e. proper Medical Doctors.

(On a personal note: I’m not in full agreement, but the newer graduates have adopted it, so are they more qualified than me..?)
See full board details from Osteopathy Australia on this subject here .

Are you a preferred provider?

Yes. Currently we are preferred provider for HCF. We constantly look at all offers by health funds, to become a preferred provider for that fund, if they are fair and reasonable, for the patient and practitioner alike.

Can I still go to the Gym or play Oztag?

Yes, you most probably can. We might also recommend some simple exercises that you can incorporate into your current routine. On occasion, it may be necessary for you to significantly modify your physical activity until your condition is resolved.

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