Osteopathy in Ocean Grove and Leopold
What to expect on your first Osteopath visit
On your first visit to see one of our Leopold or Ocean Grove Osteopaths, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire listing important aspects of your medical history and presenting complaints. Our osteopaths may ask you several questions relating to your presenting complaint, medical history, and overall health before going through a diagnostic examination. Our knowledgeable osteopaths will discuss your diagnosis and what treatment/rehabilitation they can offer and give you time to ask any questions you have. Initial consultations run for 45 minutes, so there’s time to talk through your history, assess you properly and start treatment in the same visit.
Osteopathy is a safe and gentle form of manual medicine. Osteopaths perform a wide range of examinations to help identify the cause of a patient’s pain or impairment. Treatment is tailored to each individual, providing slightly different programs for each patient depending on their requirements. Common treatment techniques involve soft tissue massage, stretching, joint mobilisation, joint manipulation, myofascial stretching/release, and gentle traction techniques.
Depending on the needs of each patient, specific exercise or strengthening advice will be given to help maximise the effectiveness of the treatment and speed up the recovery process.
Is Osteopathy covered by my private health fund?
Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and by Medicare GP Chronic Condition Management Plans. Osteopaths are registered providers for DVA, WorkSafe, and TAC patients.
Osteopathy was originally developed in the 1890s with an emphasis on maximising the body’s ability to heal itself by removing restrictions in the musculoskeletal framework of the body—the bones, muscles, nerves, and tissues that support and control your body’s movements. By examining and treating the whole body, our Leopold and Ocean Grove osteopaths aim to determine the root cause of your pain, treating it to alleviate your pain.
Nationally accredited osteopaths at Ocean Grove & Leopold Osteopathy and Sports Health
Osteopaths complete a minimum of five years of university education and are nationally accredited practitioners. They undertake extensive study in anatomy, physiology, and physical examination to help diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.
What happens at an Osteopath appointment?
Osteopathy is a gentle and safe form of manual medicine. Our Bellarine osteopaths perform a wide range of examinations to help identify the cause of your pain or impairment. Treatment is tailored to each individual, providing slightly different programs for each patient depending on their requirements. Osteopathy treatments involve a variety of hands-on techniques, including massage, stretching, joint manipulation, and soft tissue therapy,
What we treat
Our osteopaths are trained to assess and diagnose a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, from recent injuries to long-standing aches and pains. Your first appointment includes a thorough assessment of your posture, movement, joints, muscles and nerves, so we can work out what is causing your symptoms and explain it clearly. If your condition needs further investigation, we can refer you for appropriate imaging and liaise with your GP if a specialist referral or medication review is needed.
Depending on your needs, specific exercise or strengthening advice will be given to help maximise the effectiveness of the treatment and speed up the recovery process. Our Osteopaths can treat:
Sports injuries
Tennis elbow
Occupational injuries
Back Pain
Postural problems
Neck & shoulder pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Headaches
Whiplash
Sciatica
Knee pain
Shin splints
Heel/foot pain
Muscular strains & tendinopathy
Pregnancy-related conditions
A treatment plan built around you
We're a well-rounded clinic, and no two treatment plans look the same. Your osteopath chooses from a wide range of techniques to suit your body, your injury and what you're comfortable with:
- Soft tissue techniques to ease muscle tension and tightness
- Joint manipulation and mobilisation to improve movement in stiff joints
- Indirect techniques, a gentler option that guides tissues into a position of ease
- Dry needling to release muscle trigger points
- Exercise prescription to build strength and keep you moving between visits
- Patient education, so you understand what's causing your pain and how to manage it
If you prefer a particular approach, or want to avoid one, just let your osteopath know.
Meet our osteopaths
All our osteopaths are university-qualified and registered with Ahpra. Choose a practitioner below to see their available times.
Pregnancy, postnatal and pelvic health
Our osteopaths treat pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain. For pelvic health concerns, Dr Madeline Sherlock offers dedicated pelvic health appointments at both clinics.
Osteopathy FAQs
Do I need a referral?
No, you can book directly. You only need a GP referral to claim Medicare rebates under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan.
Can I claim on my health fund?
Yes. Most extras policies cover osteopathy, and we claim on the spot with HICAPS, so you only pay the gap.
How long is an appointment?
Initial consultations are 45 minutes and follow-up appointments are 30 minutes.
Do you treat TAC, WorkSafe and DVA patients?
Yes, our osteopaths are accredited for all three.
Can I see an osteopath while pregnant?
Yes. Our osteopaths regularly treat pregnant patients and adjust techniques and positions for comfort. For pelvic health concerns, book with Dr Madeline Sherlock.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing you can move in. Bring any scans, reports or GP referrals.
Not sure whether to see an osteo or a physio? Read our guide →
Book your osteopathy appointment
Clinics at 3/65 Madeley St, Ocean Grove and 6 Ash Rd, Leopold (with onsite parking). Open six days.
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