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.

As osteopathy is a manual medicine, treatment is hand on, and usually involves moving various parts of your body. Make sure you wear loose, comfortable clothing. Depending on the area being looked at, it may be necessary to undress down to your underwear. Please speak to your osteopath if you feel uncomfortable in any way.

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.