Osteopaths are government registered healthcare practitioners through the national agency AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Agency). This means that they must adhere to strict guidelines around training and continuing professional development standards.

Osteopaths complete a four or five year university degree (honours or masters). Training prepares Osteopaths to be experts in how the body moves, with a focus on anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques. Osteopaths are also trained to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

Osteopaths are required, by law, to maintain ongoing professional development and education every year to stay in practice. At Pivot Osteopathy we place an emphasis on exceeding the base requirements to ensure that we stay up-to-date with current research trends.

Osteopathy is not an alternative health option and has been practiced in Australia for over 100 years.

No, you do not need a referral to make an appointment. If you are unsure whether Osteopathy is right for you, please do get in touch as our Osteopaths are happy to discuss your problem and how Osteopathy may assist you

A typical consultation lasts up to 55 minutes and begins with a comprehensive case history where we aim to understand your problem and identify your goals. Please bring any relevant imaging, such as x-rays, MRIs etc to your appointment.

Next we will perform a physical assessment to see how you move, as well as identify points of weakness or strain in the body. This assessment may include orthopaedic or neurological testing where clinically indicated.

Your Osteopath will then perform treatment, which usually includes a combination of hands-on treatment that is tailored to your individual needs

Before you leave, we aim to assist you in creating a personalised management plan, which may include education or exercises to support your recovery beyond the clinic room. Sometimes there is not time during an initial session, so we may need to do this at a subsequent session

This session is all about you, so please feel free to ask questions at any point during the consultation, or advise your Osteopath if you are not comfortable with certain forms of osteopathic treatment e.g. manipulation.

In order to allow us to prepare for your appointment, please check your emails as we will send you a form to fill in prior to your consultation. If you do not have time to complete this, we will have paper forms to fill in when you arrive for your appointment.

Osteopaths, doctors, and other health professionals will often work as part of a team to plan and manage treatment for a specific condition, especially if a person has a chronic condition

At Pivot, we are highly supportive of a team approach to care, particularly when a condition is chronic or complex.

We want to get you moving, but we know that to keep you moving well may require assistance from a wide variety of people and an increasing number of on-line tools. We think of this as a ‘toolbox approach’

Osteopaths use a combination of hands-on therapy including massage, stretching, joint articulation, manipulation, indirect myofascial and ligamentous methods and visceral techniques.

Education and associated lifestyle advice and exercise prescription are also key components of treatment to help you achieve long-term success in treatment.

Osteopaths will often work within a multi-disciplinary team when treating someone with a chronic or complex condition.

This will really depend on what you present with and what your goals are. In our experience, most of the people we work with experience some relief from their first session, although this may take a couple of sessions with more chronic complaints. Our intention is never to keep you coming back if you don't feel like our treatment is helping you. There is no pressure to rebook. It's about you and your goals.

We usually advise people to try three to four treatmens with us to see if we can help. If you're not seeing any improvements by that time, then we will discuss whether we need to refer you or try a different approach. Some people will feel great after four treatments and we won't see them again until their next injury. Others prefer to work with us longer term to prevent issues in the future. It's all about you and your goals.

People with chronic conditions often benefit from more treatments, but we know that treatment can be time consuming and costly. At Pivot we will work with you to create a plan that suits your availability and budget.

At Pivot we know that accessing care when you have young children can be difficult. Please feel free to bring your little people with you if you cannot find an alternate carer.

You can read all about the types of appointments and the costs on our fees and appointments types page. You'll find the link on the 'About' page.

We appreciate that life changes, although we do request at least 24 hours notice where possible. The easiest way to change or cancel your appointment is via the link in your booking email. Please note that you cannot do it this way if there is less than 24 hours before your appointment time

Alternately, you can call/text (0422 626 061) or email (hello@pivotosteo.com.au) the clinic to cancel or reschedule your appointment

We are a small business with a focus on providing quality care. To keep providing this level of care, we ask that you be respectful of our time and the needs of other patients.

If you are unable to attend an appointment, please email (hello@pivotosteo.com.au) or text/call (0422 626 061) us at least 24 hours before your appointment in order to avoid a late notice fee.

If insufficient notice is given or you miss your appointment, you will be charged 50% of the appointment fee. Please remember that “No-shows” and late cancellations inconvenience those individuals who need access to care in a timely manner. We understand that sometimes life gets in the way of scheduled appointment times, and we do take extenuating circumstances into consideration.

Please note: We are aware that we are in the middle of a global pandemic. If you have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Covid-19, or you have a temperature, cough or are feeling unwell, please text/call (0422 626 061) or email (hello@pivotosteo.com.au) as soon as possible to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

Thank you for your understanding.

Yes, most private health funds cover Osteopathy in the extras packages. The amount you get back will vary by fund, so it is best to check with your individual fund.

Yes. Please ensure you have seen your GP referral before your appointment.

Please note that we are not a bulk-billing practice and the Medicare rebate only covers part of the consultation

Yes. Please ensure you have seen your GP for a “D904” medical referral before your appointment to ensure that DVA can cover your appointment costs.

You will need to bring the appropriate paperwork to your appointment. Unfortunately, if there is no paperwork you will need to pay the full fee of your appointment and organise your rebate directly through DVA

Yes, some NDIS candidates can access osteopathic care. Please contact the clinic prior to booking to discuss your eligibility and organise the appropriate paperwork.

In some circumstances. If you wish to claim under a workcover or alternate scheme, please contact the clinic prior to your appointment.

That depends on you and your individual circumstances. However, we have found that more and more of our patients are taking a longer-term view of their health resulting in preventative treatments becoming increasingly popular. Whether you want or need regular treatments is something that will be based on your own unique circumstances and preferences, and may differ depending on what is happening in your life (new mums and those with toddlers seem to suddenly find they need more support!).

Over time, we will work with you to figure out whether you are best suited to an ‘as-needed’ treatment regime, or whether you would be better suited to scheduling in regular treatments. What counts as ‘regular’ will differ from person to person. Some people may come in monthly, while others may like to schedule something quarterly. It all depends on what suits your body and your lifestyle. At Pivot, we are all about working with you to find an outcome that suits you.

The best candidates for preventative treatments tend to be those who place a continued heavy burden on their bodies. This burden may come in the form of your profession. We see a lot of builders and plumbers! Or it might be because you are a cyclist or runner or new mum.

Other candidates for preventative treatments are those who are with long term disability or significant arthritic issues that require regular intervention to manage the issues rather than solve completely.

Either way, the choice is entirely up to you and your Osteopath will gladly discuss the options available with you, and will be happy to see you on your terms.