What is an Osteopath and what do they do?
Osteopaths are highly trained healthcare professionals with a particular focus in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of musculoskeletal conditions using a combination of hands-on manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation. Osteopathy falls under the Allied Health umbrella, alongside Physiotherapy, Chiropractic, Exercise Physiology, Occupational Therapy, and other disciplines.
To become qualified, osteopaths typically complete a five-year university degree, including a Master’s qualification, ensuring they are well-versed in the latest medical research and treatment approaches.
What truly separates osteopathy from other manual therapies is its holistic approach to health and the human body. Osteopaths are trained to understand that the body functions as an interconnected unit—pain, dysfunction, or restriction in one area can significantly impact other regions.
For example, a recurring shoulder issue might stem from a dysfunction in the neck or thoracic spine, or ongoing knee pain could be linked to poor hip mobility or even foot mechanics. Rather than just treating the site of pain, osteopaths take the time to explore and address the underlying cause, looking at how different systems of the body interact and compensate.
This whole-body perspective allows osteopaths to:
Identify compensatory patterns and imbalances
Treat not just the symptoms, but the root contributors to dysfunction
Improve overall body mechanics and long-term function
Support better movement, posture, and lifestyle habits
By considering the musculoskeletal, neurological, circulatory, and even emotional factors involved in a person's presentation, osteopathy aims to restore the body’s natural ability to heal, adapt, and perform at its best.
In short, osteopaths don’t just ask “Where does it hurt?”—they ask “Why is it hurting, and what’s driving it?” That’s the osteopathic difference.
What to Expect at Your First Osteo Appointment
Your initial consultation with an osteopath involves a thorough assessment to understand your medical history, symptoms, and—most importantly—what’s actually causing the issue, rather than just focusing on the pain site.
Your osteopath will also consider lifestyle factors that may be contributing to your condition, such as:
Hobbies like gym training, gardening, or sports
Workplace ergonomics, including office posture
Daily activities like how you hold your toddler or stand while brushing your teeth
Movement patterns such as lifting technique, squatting, or even how you sit on the couch
Resting postures, like lying in bed while reading or using your phone
A physical assessment will follow, examining your range of motion, functional movement, painful areas, and any movement limitations.
How Osteopaths Help
Based on your assessment, your osteopath will create a personalized treatment and management plan to:
✅ Reduce discomfort and pain
✅ Improve mobility and movement quality
✅ Support your daily function
✅ Provide tailored rehab exercises and lifestyle advice
Osteopathy is all about treating the person, not just the condition, ensuring care that is as individual as you are.
Below is a more detailed look into the techniques an Osteopath has at their disposal and how they can help reduce pain and get you moving again.
Osteopathic Hands-On Manual Therapy Techniques
As mentioned above, osteopaths use a wide range of targeted manual therapy techniques to improve movement, reduce pain, and support overall well-being. Some techniques are unique to osteopathy, while others overlap with other manual therapies.
These can range from firm, structural techniques like massage and joint adjustments (commonly known as "cracking"), to gentle, subtle approaches such as hold-and-release techniques aimed at calming the nervous system and promoting deep tissue relaxation.
Here’s a quick summary of the types of manual therapy you might experience in an osteopathic treatment:
· Joint Articulation and Mobilisation
Passive joint movements designed to improve range of motion and restore normal joint function.
· HVLA (High-Velocity Low-Amplitude) Adjustments
A quick, controlled manipulation of a joint, often associated with a ‘cracking’ sound. These are only used when appropriate and always with patient consent. Not everyone likes being “cracked”—thankfully, osteopaths have plenty of alternative techniques to achieve similar outcomes.
· Soft Tissue Massage
Various massage techniques applied to muscles to release tightness, reduce tension, and improve blood flow and circulation.
· Trigger Point Therapy
Focused pressure applied to specific points within a muscle to reduce pain, release tension, and improve muscle function.
· Myofascial Release
Slow, stretching and rolling techniques that target muscles and the surrounding fascia to release restrictions and improve tissue mobility.
· Hold & Release Techniques
Gentle holds and specific positioning to allow a joint or muscle to release naturally and gradually. These techniques can produce a deep sense of ease and relief.
· Muscle Energy Techniques (MET)
Also known as PNF stretching, these active techniques involve the patient gently pushing against resistance to help lengthen and rebalance muscle groups around a joint. Highly effective and adaptable to most areas of the body.
· Lymphatic Drainage
Light, rhythmic techniques aimed at encouraging the flow of lymphatic fluid, particularly useful for reducing swelling in the lower limbs or joints affected by recent injury or surgery. This can significantly improve range of motion and function in a short time.
What Conditions Can an Osteopath Help With?
Some of the most common issues osteopaths help manage include:
🦴 Back and Neck Pain
General aches and stiffness
Acute or chronic lower back pain
Neck tightness and tension headaches
Disc injuries or nerve-related pain like sciatica
🦵 Joint and Muscle Pain
Shoulder impingement, rotator cuff injuries
Hip, knee, and ankle pain (e.g. osteoarthritis, tendinopathies)
Elbow and wrist conditions, including tennis/golfer’s elbow and carpal tunnel
Jaw/TMJ dysfunction
🧠 Headaches and Migraines
Particularly those related to neck tension, posture, or jaw alignment
Often helped through manual therapy and postural corrections
🏃♂️ Sports Injuries
Muscle strains and ligament sprains
Overuse injuries like shin splints, plantar fasciitis, or ITB syndrome
Recovery and rehab planning for return to sport
🍼 Pregnancy-Related Pain
Pelvic, hip, and lower back discomfort during pregnancy
Postural adaptations and care for mums pre- and postnatally
Support with breathing, pelvic floor, and core mechanics
💼 Postural and Work-Related Strain
Office desk set-up issues
Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs)
Occupational tension from lifting, driving, or long hours standing/sitting
🔄 Functional and Movement Concerns
Mobility and flexibility limitations
Gait or walking imbalances
Support during post-surgical recovery or rehabilitation
🧒 Children and Adolescents
Growing pains (e.g., Osgood-Schlatter’s, Sever’s disease)
Sporting injuries or scoliosis
Postural support during rapid growth phases
So, That’s a Bit About Osteopathy!
Of course, this is just a general overview of what osteopathy is, what we do, and how we can help. Every person who walks through the doors at Bay City Health is completely unique, and we pride ourselves on tailoring our approach to suit your individual needs, goals, and lifestyle.
Whether you're dealing with a recent injury, chronic pain, movement restrictions, or you're simply wanting to improve your overall physical health, we’re here to support you—with a treatment plan that’s as individual as you are.
At Bay City Health, we also believe that education is key. We want you to feel informed, empowered, and involved in your own health journey. So if you have any questions—big or small—about osteopathy, your own condition, or anything health-related, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to help.
Call Bay City Health: 03 5229 3220