What can I expect when I visit?
During your first Osteopathy or Physiotherapy consultation a full medical case history will be taken and you will be given a thorough postural examination. You may also be asked to perform some simple series of movements.
Osteopathy: Uses a hands-on approach to identify any areas of weakness or strain throughout your body. Additional testing, (x-ray, scans or blood tests) may be necessary, if so, this can be arranged for you. Further testing allows us to develop a full diagnosis and develop a suitable and complete treatment plan to cater to your specific needs.
Physiotherapy: Uses a hands-on approach to identify any areas of weakness or strain throughout your body. Our therapist incorporates your daily movement abilities and helps you to improve and enhance your required activity approach. You may have some hands-on treatment and perform some activities (completely within your capabilities) in order to help improve any issues that may be highlighted.
Remedial massage: You may be recommended to our Remedial massage therapist by our Osteopaths or Neuro-muscular therapist to compliment these treatments. Or you may simply wish to have remedial massage separately. Either way, a brief consultation will preceed your massage treatment.
Can I claim my consultations on my private health insurance?
Most private health insurance plans give benefits for Osteopathic, Physiotherapy & Remedial massage Contact your insurance company to check the benefits of your individual policy and methods of claim.
We offer the HICAPS system for immediate payment of your claim. This means you are only required to cover the remainder (if any) left from your health fund.
Preventative care
Prevention is better than cure! Although our practitioners’ focus is to alleviate patients’ pain, they are also focused on trying to help prevent problems from recurring. We consider the co-operation between practitioner and patient of utmost importance and encourage patients to participate in preventive health care programs.
Preventive whole-body health care may include the prescription of exercise programs, postural care, and ergonomics. Nutritional advice and general lifestyle advice may also be given.
At One Health, we believe in self-empowerment. As such, we endeavour to aid you in self-management and preventative strategies, in conjunction with your initial treatment plans. This will hopefully stabilise and strengthen your body, enabling it to function more appropriately.
How soon will I be seen?
For patients with acute pain, we can normally offer a same day ‘emergency’ appointment. In normal circumstances, you will be seen within 24 or 48 hours. Although we are an extremely busy clinic, you may be put on a cancellation list for the next available appointment, but we usually manage to see you quite quickly.
How can I pay for my treatment?
We accept payments by all major credit/debit cards EFTPOS, HICAPS, cash or cheque. You will be asked to pay your balance after each consultation.
Medicare based Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) referrals incur a small cost towards the initial consultation, and a much smaller cost towards each subsequent appointment on the referral plan. Please call us for further details.
How many treatments will I need?
As everybody is unique and every injury different, there is no standard number of treatments. Treatment is bespoke to you as an individual.
On your first appointment, we will give you an overview of your treatment plan and options. For some acute conditions, one or two treatments may be all that is necessary.
Chronic conditions may need additional treatments and an on-going treatment plan as well. We will give you the most appropriate advice of treatment.
Once your initial aggravation has been resolved, we may suggest an ongoing treatment plan, suggesting follow-upp consultations (approximately 6-12 weeks). We feel this is an appropriate time frame for preventative care, however, each individual patient and their needs are considered and sometimes maintenance appopintments are not necessary.
Do I need a referral from my GP?
No. A formal GP referral is not necessary. In fact, although patients are regularly referred to One Health Clinic by their GP or Medical Specialist, many patients self-refer.
A GP referral is needed to claim the Medicare EPC rebate or DVA claims for Osteopathy and Physiotherapy. Most health funds provide a rebate with Osteopathic, Physiotherapy and Remedial massage treatments can be claimed directly at the clinic.
How does Osteopathy work?
Osteopaths use their hands employing a wide variety of treatment techniques. These may include soft tissue mobilisation, joint mobilisation or joint manipulative techniques. These treatment methods are designed to improve mobility and range of movement.
Gentle techniques are particularly useful for the elderly or children whilst more direct techniques may be used for the professional athlete. Electrotherapy (ultrasound or interferential) treatment may also be employed if necessary. All forms of treatment are used to return your body to a more appropriate structural state to improve movement and general function.
Specific advice and self-care rehabilitative exercises may be given to you in order to compliment and consolidate the treatment you receive. Sometimes, activity advice and instructions to clarify this may only be given if this is the most appropriate approach for your recovery.
