Often osteopathy can be used in conjunction with other therapies to improve the health and functioning of all areas of the body.

For all enquiries, please call Dr Prue Stirling on 0488 908 666

Susans consultations are subject to medicare rebates where applicable.

Remedial Massage / Deep Tissue Massage

Remedial Massage / Deep Tissue Massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body, through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, by either following or crossing over the muscle fibres, fascia and tendons. Usually used to address specific problems associated with chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitations, sporting and occupational injuries, RSI, and physical and mental fatigue.

Swedish Massage

One of the primary goals of Swedish Massage is to speed venous return from the extremities. Swedish Massage shortens recovery time form muscular strain by flushing the tissue of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It improves circulation and stretches the ligaments and tendons, keeping them supple and young. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system while at the same time relating the nerves themselves. Swedish Massage reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has specific clinical uses in a medical or remedial therapy.

Lymphatic Drainage

Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle whole body treatment which relaxes the nervous system and aids the body’s immune system. It involves a range of specialised and gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move skin in the direction of the lymph flow through a network of lymph vessels and lymph nodes. This supports the body to naturally eliminate excess toxins, dead cells, viruses, bacteria and chemicals. Other benefits of this massage are: relieving fluid congestion, promoting wound healing, relieve stress and anxiety. Dr Emil Vodder has created a unique range of movement regarding the lymph system and this method is gaining acceptance in the treatment and control of lymphedema.

Bowen Therapy

Bowen Therapy is a unique form of neuromuscular repatterning. It works primarily through the nervous system on both structural and energetic levels.

Bowen Therapy usually results in the relief of many specific injuries and other health problems, both acute and chronic. It does so holistically, by using the body’s innate healing mechanisms. The therapist delivers singnals to the nervous system at specific locations (on muscles, tendons, ligaments or nerves), and the body does the rest, responding in its own time, as it is able. While there are a few, very specific situations in which a particular procedure is contra-indicated, Bowen Therapy is appropriate to use for individuals of all ages and in all degrees of health.

What is a Typical Bowen Session?

A Bowen Therapy session generally lasts for 45 to 60 min. The moves are gentle but purposeful and can be done through light clothing if the client prefers. Clients usually lie on a massage table or can be seated in a chair, if required for comfort. Some Bowen procedures require the client to stand up.

A Bowen session involves one or more procedures, each of which consists of several sets of moves. Between each set of moves, the therapist pauses for as many minutes as are needed for the client’s body to begin responding. After the nervous system begins to adjust the tension level in the muscles, the client is ready for the next set of moves.

Benefits of Bowen Therapy

All of the body may benefit from this comprehensive approach to wellness, including muscles, organs, and the functioning of the body’s vital systems. Some specific benefits of Bowen Therapy may include:

• Improved circulation (blood, lymph, energy)
• Improved nerve function
• Release of tension (physical and emotional)

Conditions that Respond to Bowen Therapy

• Stress and Tension
• Back pain and sciatica
• Digestive and bowel problems
• Earache and TMJ problems
• Migraines and other types of headaches
• Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndromes
• Hip, knee, ankle and foot problems
• Menstrual and hormonal irregularities
• Neck and shoulder problems
• Groin pain, pelvic tilt and uneven leg length
• Respiratory problems and hayfever
• RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow
• Sports and other traumatic injuries
• Pregnancy

Psychology is the study of human behaviour, and as such incorporates thinking (cognition), feeling (sensations), perception, behaviour and interactions. Psychologists in clinical practice work with people to identify and overcome difficulties which stop them in some way from functioning to the best of their ability. This covers a vast range of areas.

Psychologists work with people to improve both personal and relationship situations. Some areas that psychologists work with include:

• stress
• anxiety
• grief and loss
• trauma
• PTSD
• relationship difficulties (eg. marriage, family, work)
• addictions
• obsessions
• sadness and depression
• behavioural problems
• bullying
• parenting
• relaxation
• eating disorders
• self-esteem and self-confidence
• study techniques and exam performance
• sport performance
• domestic violence
• anger
• learning difficulties
• adjustment to changed situations

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

A psychologist has studied psychology for a minimum of 6 years. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, who has done a minimum of 5 years further study in psychiatric medicine. Because psychiatrists are medical doctors, they can prescribe medication, and tend to work within the “medical model”.

What is the difference between a psychologist and a counsellor?

Psychology is regulated, which basically means that there are laws stipulating that to call themselves a psychologist and to practice psychology, a person has to have completed the relevant degrees and be registered with the state government. Undergraduate psychology degrees include training in counselling, and some postgraduate degrees specialise (eg. Masters in Counselling Psychology). Psychologists are bound by a set of professional ethics and standards, as well as laws.
Counselling is not regulated, and training varies. There are counselling associations that have minimum requirements for membership, and such associations have a set of professional ethics and standards.

Homoeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their experience of their symptoms, a homoeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to the patient.

It works on the principle of “like cures like” – that is, a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person is used to cure those same symptoms in illness. For example, one remedy which might be used in a person suffering from insomnia is coffea, a remedy made from coffee.

Scientifically it can not yet be explained precisely how it works, but new theories in quantum physics are going some way towards shedding light on the process. What we do know is that a carefully selected homoeopathic remedy acts as a trigger to the body’s healing processes.

Homoeopathy is a complementary therapy

Homoeopathy has been widely used throughout the world for more than 200 years. In 2000, the House of Lords’ Select Committee on Science & Technology cited homoeopathy as one of the five Group One therapies, having “an individual diagnostic approach” along with osteopathy, chiropractic, herbal medicine and acupuncture. Homoeopathy can be safely used alongside most conventional medicines.

How long has Homoeopathy been used?

Homoeopathy has been used in the UK for over two hundred years, but has an honourable tradition dating back to ancient Greece. It was Samuel Hahnemann, a brilliant doctor working in 1796 who developed the scientific and philosophical foundations of this gentler way of healing. These scientific principles form the basis of successful homoeopathic practice today.

Are homoeopathic remedies safe?

Homoeopathic remedies are a unique, potentised energy medicine, drawn from the plant, mineral and animal worlds. They are diluted to such a degree that not one molecule of the original substance can be detected (after the 12c potency).
They work by gently boosting the natural energy of the body, and are very safe, even for pregnant and sensitive patients. There is no danger of addiction or toxicity.

How are the remedies discovered?

The clinical indications of our medicines are discovered in all of three ways:

1. The toxicity symptoms (or poisoning picture, eg. vomiting and diarrhoea caused by arsenic)
2. The ‘signature’ of the medicine, an ancient medical idea based on the ‘affinities’ of certain substances (eg. Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna has large shiny black berries that resemble the dilated pupils of the eyes in high fever)
3. The ‘proving’, in which the highly diluted substances are tested blind on a group of healthy volunteers who then record the symptoms they experience. Where there is agreement amongst provers, the symptoms are documented in a Repertory.

All this information is used to match the remedies with your symptoms.

How are the remedies made?

There are five regulated homoeopathic pharmacies in the UK (see Find a Pharmacy). The raw extracts (from plants or animals) or triturations (from minerals and salts) are made into a ‘tincture’ with alcohol which forms the basis of the dilution procedure. Dilutions are made up to either 1 part tincture to 10 parts water (1x) or 1 part tincture to 100 parts water. Repeated dilution results in the familiar 6x, 6c or 30c potencies that can be bought over the counter: the 30c represents an infinitessimal part of the original substance.

If they are so dilute, how can they work?

After each dilution the mixture is vigorously agitated in a machine that delivers a calibrated amount of shaking. This is called succussion. It is thought that this process imprints the healing energy of the medicinal substance throughout the body of water (the diluent) as if a message is passed on. The message contains the healing energy. Even in ultra-molecular dilutions, information specific to the original dissolved substance remains and can be detected.

What can homoeopathy treat?

Homoeopathy has a wide application, from acute fevers, sore throats and toothache, to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, eczema, asthma, anxiety, mild depression and chronic fatigue syndrome. There has been some very good research evidence to support this (see Research section).

What happens when you see a homoeopath?

Your homoeopath understands that establishing good health involves treating both mind and body, so time is taken to listen to your emotional and physical symptoms. To stimulate your body’s own healing process, a remedy closest to your individual symptom picture is prescribed. Healing begins from within your body, strengthening your health and immune system, without any danger of damaging side effects.

Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine which recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. Osteopaths focus on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function as a holistic unit. Using skilled evaluation, diagnosis and a wide range of hands-on techniques, osteopaths can identify important types of dysfunction in your body. Osteopathic treatment uses techniques such as stretching and massage for general treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) along with mobilisation of specific joints and soft tissues.

In Australia, osteopaths are government registered practitioners who complete a minimum of five years’ university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners and are trained to recognise conditions which require medical referral. They are also trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

Treatment is aimed at the structural problems present, not the disease entity. By removing the obstructions to health, Osteopathic Physicians are able to treat virtually any illness or trauma. Their philosophy is the body is a unit whose parts integrally affect each other. Therefore, dysfunction in one area affects other areas as well.

Some conditions that may be helped by osteopathy include:

Other non musculoskeletal complaints:

Yoga Therapy is the process of empowering and supporting individuals to manage their health using the principles of yoga and applying a range of yoga practices developed within a professional therapeutic relationship.

 How is Yoga Therapy provided?

Yoga Therapy is most commonly provided by way of an individualised consultation, in a similar way to many other modalities of health and well-being such as counselling, physiotherapy, massage therapy etc. In some circumstances it can be provided in a group or class setting, in which case it may be called a ‘therapeutic Yoga class’. 

Traditionally, in its homeland of India, Yoga Therapy was a one to one interaction between client and practitioner, wherein the specific, individual circumstances of the client guided the therapeutic strategy. In our Western contemporary setting, we also recognise the wisdom of the one to one interaction. Like our therapeutic forebears, our Yoga Therapy practice is informed by our client’s life circumstances. However our broader health knowledge, greater access to the wide variety of Yoga therapy approaches world-wide and modern technological advances in assessment, means that the contemporary Yoga Therapist can provide her/his client with the very best blend of traditional wisdom and proven therapeutic applications, planned and designed individually and specifically for her/his needs.

A traditional acupuncturist’s main focus is on correcting the underlying cause of illness which will be different for every individual. Consequently, there are no ‘off-the-peg’ treatments or points prescriptions.

Traditional acupuncturists are trained to use subtle diagnostic techniques that have been developed and refined over thousands of years. We focus on the individual, not their illness, and see all symptoms in relation to each other. Because every patient is unique, two people with the same western diagnosis will each receive different acupuncture treatments.

The underlying principle is that illness and pain occur when the body’s qi, or vital energy, cannot flow freely. The body’s energy meridians can become obstructed, in much the same way as a trapped nerve or blocked artery. This can be for any number of reasons such as emotional and physical stress, poor nutrition, infection, or injury.

By inserting ultra-fine, sterile needles into specific acupuncture points, a traditional acupuncturist seeks to re-establish the free flow of qi to restore balance and trigger the body’s natural healing response. A growing body of evidence based clinical research shows that traditional acupuncture safely treats a wide range of common health problems.

Acupuncture is an effective modality to assist with treatment of:

Skin conditions: psoriasis, eczema, acne, rash

Digestive conditions: diarrhoea, constipation, colitis, diverticulitis, reflux, indigestion/trapped wind, chron’s disease

Hormonal conditions: Menstrual irregularities (heavy bleeding, irregular cycles, painful periods, failure to ovulate etc), infertility.

Musculo skeletal conditions: Headache (both stress and hormonal), wry neck, acute muscular pain, fibromyalgia, restless legs,  repetitive strain injury, carpel tunnel syndrome, frozen shoulder.

Urinary conditions: recurrent urinary tract infection, frequent urination, weak bladder.

Respiratory conditions: recurrent infections (cough, cold, flu), asthma, shallow breathing

Frequency & duration of treatment will depend on the nature of the condition and how long it has been present