Osteopathy is a ‘whole body’ system of manual medicine, this has been in practice for over 100 years! This system utilizes unique biomechanical principles to treat musculoskeletal problems and other functional disorders of the body. It was developed in the 1870’s by an American physician, Dr Andrew Taylor Still, who recognised the body to be equipped with everything necessary to heal itself and in doing so derived four key principles on which to base the philosophy of Osteopathic treatment:
In Australia, Osteopaths are recognised as primary health care providers and are trained to recognise conditions that require referral to medical practitioners or other allied health. Osteopathic university graduates hold either a double Bachelors or Master qualification. They complete a minimum of five years university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and osteopathic techniques to enable them to perform standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.
Osteopaths are required by Australian law, to maintain ongoing professional development and education every year to stay in practice. In Australia, all osteopaths are required to be government registered practitioners. If an osteopath does not appear on this register they should not practice. The register can be found at: http://www.ahpra.gov.au/Registration/Registers-of-Practitioners.aspx
People attend an Osteopath, when they experience long term (chronic) and short term (acute) problems, like the examples below:
YOU might be able to ask your Osteopath for information any other health concerns or for a general check-up.
Our Resilient Health team consistently update knowledge and techniques both in house and in post-graduate training courses. We LOVE to learn!
Osteopathic treatment is non-invasive and patient-centric to facilitate ease of movement of, and integration between, the tissues of the body. We do this largely through helping patients to be free from inappropriate physical restrictions and tension patterns within the “whole body system”. Osteopaths and the World Health Organisation (WHO) defines these restrictions and tension patterns as Somatic Dysfunction: the impaired or altered function of the body framework and all it's associated parts including muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue and organs.
Osteopathy at Resilient Health in Adelaide, incorporates a holistic approach whereby the entire body is examined, and not just the area of pain/dysfunction in order to understand what the patient’s system is doing to heal itself, and what can be done to facilitate this. It also aims to aid in dealing with the complex interplay of all of the patient’s tissues, systems, and broader environment, rather than overly emphasising one specific part or aspect.
Resilient Health Osteopaths are unique in that they use a variety of hands on techniques. This, combined with our passion to treat patients as individuals first, before seeing them as members of a disease/injury classification, means that techniques are chosen specifically for the needs of each individual depending on their complaint and preference of treatment methods.
The expansive range of hands-on techniques of our Osteopaths, combined with their 5 years of University training, and our ongoing post-graduate study ensures we have a large skillset we can draw from in order to support our Resilient Health patient community from newborn babies through to the elderly.
These techniques may include, but are not limited to:
Massage
Osteopaths use soft tissue manipulations such as massaging the muscles in a direct way (similar to manual therapy), as well as an indirect way, such as using your breath or specific positioning to release particular muscle groups or joints.
Therapeutic dry needling techniques
This involves inserting ‘dry’ needles (ie. those without any medication or injection) into the skin at various locations for therapeutic gain. Clinical trials have shown that needling alone or in combination with manual therapy and/or clinical exercise may provide some relief of pain and tension for people with migraines and jaw joint pain, and those with shoulder, low back, upper back and neck pain without complicating factors. Needling may also provide pain relief in people with tendinopathies and osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. At Resilient Health, Dr Mel Pierlot offers this technique.
Manipulation
These are techniques where you may hear the audible manipulation of joints using a high-velocity but low-amplitude thrust. Osteopaths (and Chiropractors) are university trained at using these techniques, screening for their appropriate use and for alternative techniques to use if you are not comfortable with “clicking” noises. They can be used for the spine and for the peripheral joints/appendicular (arms and legs).
Stretching
Our Resilient Health Osteopaths incorporate active (you doing them) and passive (osteopath doing them) stretching into their treatment and management plans. The overarching aim is to help the body tissues to move and reduce restrictions that might be evident because of previous or current injury, ergonomics (work, sport or pregnancy-related), or compensations or protective behaviours you may have developed over time.
Articulation
Rhythmic/repetitive movements of the joints of the body, aimed at targeting the soft tissues and vessels involved in the joints. Osteopaths use this technique to encourage tissue symmetry around a joint by encouraging the joint surfaces to move against each other, which encourages fluid movement in and around the joint and the soft tissues. Articulation can temporarily help to reduce protective behaviour caused by the neural feedback from pain or injury and is generally combined with other osteopathic techniques and your case discussion with your Resilient Health Osteopath.
Muscle Energy technique (MET)
A range of techniques used to encourage muscles to work against resistance are be used by our Resilient Health Osteopaths as a way to help the body tissues to move and reduce restrictions that might be evident as a result of previous or current injury, ergonomics (work, sport or pregnancy-related), or compensations or protective behaviours you may have developed over time. This technique can be used for the spine and the appendicular areas (rest of the body’s joints) and involve many different muscle activations: concentric, isometric or eccentric muscle contraction.
Myofascial release
Application of low-load, long- duration manual force applied to muscles and myofascia. The myofascia is the “clingwrap” or tissue matrix that supports the body’s organs, vessels, muscles and skeletons, as well as the nervous system. Anatomical evidence suggests that the nerves and vessels travel in the myofascial system, which is continuous throughout the body (i.e. imagine this is like the whites of an orange). Osteopaths may target this system to remove restrictions in the body’s soft/connective tissues to encourage a a reduction in “pain-causing” neural signalling (nociception), fluid movement, circulation, and help to correct altered biomechanics.
Similar techniques that our Resilient Health Osteopaths also use may include: Balanced ligamentous/membranous tension techniques, visceral manipulation and functional techniques
Balanced ligamentous/membranous tension techniques
Small joint movements aimed at targeting the ligaments involved in the joints. Osteopaths use this technique to encourage tissue symmetry around a joint by encouraging the evening of tone of the supporting ligaments to the joints (BLT) or the supporting membranes of the skull, or the thoracic diaphragm, which encourages fluid movement in and around the joint and to the soft tissues.
Visceral manipulation
Movement of the abdominal and pelvic areas with an organ focus involves the myofascia, that is, the “clingwrap” or tissue matrix that supports the body’s organs, vessels, muscles and skeletons, as well as the nervous system. The body’s organ and nervous systems are interrelated and by using their anatomical knowledge, osteopaths can screen for organ-related issues, and to address these issues in their treatment.
Functional techniques
Small movements aimed at targeting the connective tissues including the myofascial system and thereby the nervous system. Functional techniques can help to remove restrictions in the body’s soft/connective tissues to encourage fluid movement, circulation, and help to correct altered organ function and biomechanics.
Strain/Counterstrain
Using their anatomical and physiological knowledge that the body’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems are interrelated, our Resilient Health Osteopaths can use this technique to reduce the nerve feedback that can keep muscles tight. It is a passive technique, where you will be placed in a position in which the target muscle is able to relax. This then allows the neural feedback to reduce; next the osteopath will place your limb (for example) back to the starting position. These techniques also have a positive impact on the myofascia, that is, the “clingwrap” or tissue matrix that supports the body’s organs, vessels, muscles and skeletons, as well as the nervous system.
Similar techniques may include: facilitated positional release.
Chapmans reflexes
Resilient Health Osteopaths are trained in these points as diagnostic and therapeutic, meaning they can use these in combination to your case history and presenting pain to screen the sensitivity of organs and your neuro-musculoskeletal system. They can be used to improve the overall functioning of your lymphatic system by reducing congestion and to improve the organ/body tissues relationship by way of your sympathetic nervous system.
Osteopathy may help with a variety of medical conditions, including:
Your Osteopath will provide explanations of what seems to be happening and why (which can be particularly relevant to pain perception). They ask: “how would a body normally resolve this problem; and what is blocking that from happening in this individual at this time?”
** People often find it beneficial to have regular treatments in order to maintain their flexibility and relieve pain. Or use Osteopathy as an adjunct to their regular modality of treatment.
Dr Casey Beaumont has practised as an Osteopath first in Victoria and now in South Australia since 2011, after an internship and then graduating from RMIT University with her Master of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to this she completed a Bachelor of Health Science at Adelaide University majoring in Physiology, Pathology and Neuroscience.
Casey brings with her the unique expertise that comes from being a high-performance athlete and as someone with a hunger for learning she has a special interest in problem solving. Resilient Health’s core values are her own and because of this she is a strong believer in using a holistic approach in helping you to find your own balance of mind, body and spirit in order to maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle. Like the rest of our Resilient Health Practitioners, Casey offers individually tailored treatments, rehabilitation and advice to achieve and maintain health and wellbeing for each and every person. You may even meet her, if you haven’t booked to see her, as our team works collaboratively to ensure that you get the best care we can offer in being your guide to your best health.
In her free time Casey enjoys being outdoors in the garden or at the beach, spending time with her family and generally moving (walking her dog Archie, clinical pilates, and functional weight training) OR learning! She has started to record her reading on @resilient_health_reads if you are a fellow bookworm! Casey has also authored a book for her fellow Osteopaths: Osteo Mentor Tribe (www.osteos4osteos.com.au) and is constantly striving to contribute to the Osteopathic profession, currently as a part of the Osteopathy Australia Editorial and Education Advisory Group which leads and supports the development of the editorial and education content for Osteopathy Australia's member magazine, Osteo Life, as well as webinars, eLearning and educational programs.
Dr Courtnay Wood was born and raised in Melbourne, but we won’t hold that against her! She holds a double degree from RMIT University, completing a Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteopathy), as well as an external hospital placement in Goa, India. She also has impeccable taste in coffee! ........ and values recommendations for places to try!
Courtnay’s interest in Osteopathy developed over her many years as a gymnast and coach, compelling her towards maximising her learning and understanding of the detailed workings of the human body. Courtnay endeavours to learn about what motivates you towards health and is excited to treat as many different conditions as possible.
She has a passion for learning and is always up for a challenge - keen to play detective and put her problem solving skills to the test. She is dedicated to helping you return to a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle; and is enthusiastic about guiding you to achieving your goals.
Courtnay believes in holistic, patient-centred approach to treatment, management and rehabilitation and welcomes all kinds of conditions as she places a high value on the the opportunities of the ever-evolving health industry, evidence-based medicine and Osteopathic field.
When not treating patients, Courtnay enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading a good book and travelling. She can speak French and is endlessly interested in other cultures and customs.
Dr Mel Pierlot is a Melbournite, and Adelaide is lucky to have her! She relocated after completing a Bachelor of Science, and a Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) and an Osteopathic internship in Melbourne in an extremely busy clinic.
Mel first became interested in Osteopathy after developing a range of injuries from netball as a teenager. She fell in love with the way Osteopaths treat the person and not the injury, and she always strives to create this environment for her patients too.Mel is a very hands-on practitioner who enjoys treating any patient presentation, whether you’re sore from lifting small humans Mum or Dad, or an elite athlete having lifted a heavy set.
Interning as an Osteopath in the lockdown in Melbourne Mel has A LOT of experience in treating ergonomic working from home injuries too!Mel likes to address all aspects of her patient's health by providing a balance of manual therapy, dry needling, exercise rehabilitation, ergonomic and wellness advice. Mel also ensures that all of her patients leave the consultation room feeling fully equipped and empowered to lead a healthy, happy lifestyle.
Outside of the clinic, you will find Mel checking out local brunch hotspots, travelling/camping, surfing, cycling, or winding down with Yoga and a good book. As she is not native to Adelaide, please let her know your favourites!