Osteopaths New Zealand

Osteopaths are primary health care practitioners who recognise the important link between the structure of the body and the way it functions. Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine which facilitates healing by focusing on how the musculoskeletal system, nerves, circulation and internal organs function as one unit.

Back pain will affect 8 out of 10 people some point in their life - mild or severe, acute or chronic.

Common causes of back pain include:

• heavy lifting
• trauma, such as car accident or fall
• extensive sitting or standing
• pregnancy and childbirth
• insufficient flexibility
• digestive conditions such as constipation or irritable bowel
• menstrual pain or endometriosis
• muscle weakness
• dysfunction in the upper back, pelvis or lower limbs

Osteopathy recognises the particular stresses on the body undergone by children as they grow from babies to teenagers, and have approaches to work with children of all ages.

Your osteopath is able to help with treatment and advice throughout each stage of your child's growth.

Many older New Zealanders mistakenly believe that the effect of ageing on their body's joints is inevitable, and that pain is a fact of life they must learn to live with.

Keeping mobile is the key to your health and independence. Osteopaths can offer treatment and advice to help improve mobility, circulation and balance, reducing joint stiffness and pain and helping you lead a more fulfilling life.

The most common type of headache originates from muscle stiffness or joint strain in the neck and upper back.

Other causes of headache include:

• eye strain
• sinus congestion
• whiplash
• injury
• stress
• jaw imbalance and teeth grinding
• allergies
• poor posture

Your osteopath can help prevent or manage a wide range of pre- and post-natal conditions and work with your LMC or other health professional as needed.

An effective approach to prevention and treatment of injury. Whether you are a weekend warrior or an elite athlete, your osteopath can help prevent and treat many sporting injuries including:

• shoulder, elbow and wrist injuries
• knee, leg and ankle injuries
• hip and pelvic injuries
• neck and back strain

Although many clients are referred by their doctor, or another health care professional, this is not required, and you can make an appointment directly with your osteopath. This even applies if you have had an accident and wish to submit an ACC claim.

Yes, your osteopath can help you with all the paperwork, and lodge the claim for you. Let your osteopath know if you have had an accident and wish to lodge a claim.

If you have any x-rays, test results or relevant medical notes bring these with you. For babies it may also be useful to bring their Plunket Book.

Most osteopathic treatment is gentle and should not cause high levels of discomfort. At times, hands on treatment of painful or tender areas will be necessary, and in these cases your osteopath will take care to make you as comfortable as possible. Some people experience some soreness for a day or two after a treatment as their body reacts and adjusts to the treatment. If this persists or increases, contact your osteopath to discuss it.

This varies, but most appointments will last between 30-60 minutes. In some cases your initial consultation may be longer than a follow up visit.

The costs of treatment vary between clinics and around the country. Remember to ask when you book your appointment. Some private health insurances will reimburse your fees, and treatment for an ACC covered injury will be less than a full fee, as you are only required to make a co-payment.

In New Zealand osteopathic training consists of a 5 year university program. Any osteopath who trained overseas has had their training assessed and approved to be of the same standard. These standards are set by our regulating authority, the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand. Each year, practicing osteopaths are required to complete a set amount of continuing professional development.

Although not a part of traditional osteopathy, some osteopaths have incorporated western medical acupuncture into their practice. These osteopaths have completed accredited postgraduate training and have an additional registration which sets and regulates standards.

Usually, there is a stipulation of requirement of first aid in other professions to obtain an APC (holding a current first aid). 

 We do not have such parameters. However being a PCHU (HSWA) we all must: 

• provide adequate first aid equipment 
• access to that equipment and first aid facilities
• have access to trained first aiders. So if you have not got a medical facility close by - you must have at least two people trained in first aid. To have a back up if that trained first aider is away on leave. 

 and it is good practice to at least have everyone trained in CPR minimum (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). 

 You should also check your insurance policy - is this a requirement as a health practitioner? If so, employers must provide this.  

This ruling is laid out on the worksafe website and should be part of every osteopaths H&S policy.