Emerald Remedial TherapiesSpecialist Complementary Health Care

What is Osteopathy?

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:

 What is Yoga Therapy?
 The Australian Association of Yoga Therapists defines Yoga Therapy as:  

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.

Traditional acupuncture is an holistic healthcare system that regards pain and illness, whether physical or mental, to be a sign that the body is out of balance. Because traditional acupuncture considers every bodily function to be connected and interdependent, it recognises the role emotions play in illness and disease. The overall aim of treatment is to restore the body’s equilibrium.

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