About Osteopathy

Osteopathy is one of the older forms of the modern manual therapies, dating back to 1874 in Kirksville Missouri.

After returning to study anatomy in great depth the founder Dr A.T. Still, a physician of his time, named the key Osteopathic principles:

1. The body is a unit
2. Structure governs function
3. The body has the ability to heal itself

Osteopathy grew very quickly in the USA, where many Osteopathic hospitals were established, and this is reflected in modern Osteopathic practice in the United States where Osteopaths also undergo traditional medical training as well as Osteopathic technique.

Osteopaths in Australia are highly trained primary health care practitioners that focus on treating primarily musculoskeletal complaints using a variety of manual therapy techniques, as well as co-ordinarily other treatment and investigations with our health care providers.

This may include liaising with a patient’s GP or referring for further testing including but not limited to x-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI.

An Australian Osteopath undergoes a minimum 5 years of tertiary study in order to complete their training.  They are then required to register with the Osteopathy Board of Australia and with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency to commence in private practice. AHPRA is the same governing regulator that covers all medical doctors, nurses, specialists and surgeons, and with this registration comes responsibilities such as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements ensures that any Osteopath treating in Australia or a regional area such as Bendigo must maintain high professional and clinical standards.