What we treat
Find your problem, see what treatment usually involves, and know when you should see a doctor instead of us.
Start with where it hurts
Most people arrive knowing the location and not the cause. That is normal, and working out the cause is our job rather than yours. Pick the closest match below.
Neck & back
Neck pain, lower back pain, sciatica, stiffness that returns every Monday, and headaches coming from the neck. Neck & back →Shoulder
Rotator cuff pain, pain overhead or reaching behind you, and the stiff mid-back that is often the real driver. Shoulder →Elbow, wrist & hand
Tennis and golfer's elbow, wrist pain under load, grip problems, and hand injuries from striking or gripping. Elbow, wrist & hand →Hip & groin
Hip flexor and adductor strain, deep hip pain, glute and lateral hip pain in runners. Hip & groin →Knee
Pain from running load or lifting, ligament and meniscus injuries, and knees that ache going downstairs. Knee →Ankle & foot
Ankle sprains, Achilles and calf pain, heel pain, and shin pain that is getting worse rather than better. Ankle & foot →Or start with what you do
The same joint gets injured differently depending on how you load it. These pages go into the mechanisms specific to each.
Combat sports
BJJ, MMA, Muay Thai, boxing, wrestling and judo. Injury mechanisms, realistic timelines, staged return to sparring, and fight camp support.
Combat sports injuries →Running and sport
Load-related injury in runners and field athletes. Assessment starts with gait, because the part that hurts is often not the part causing it.
Sports injuries →Lifting
Lower back under load, shoulders from pressing volume, hips from squatting. Usually a technique and load problem before it is a tissue problem.
Powerlifting injuries →Work, desk and everyday
Neck and back pain from sitting, driving, lifting at work, or sleeping badly. No sport required, and it is most of what we see.
How we work →When to see a doctor instead of us
Osteopaths are first-contact practitioners, so you do not need a referral to see us. But some symptoms need a doctor, and a few need an emergency department. If any of the following apply, do not book an osteopathy appointment first.
Call 000 or go to an emergency department
- Chest pain, chest tightness, or pain in the jaw or arm with shortness of breath, sweating or nausea
- A sudden, severe headache unlike any you have had before
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin, buttocks or inner thighs, alongside back pain
- Rapidly worsening weakness in both legs
- Face drooping, arm weakness, or slurred speech
- A significant head knock with confusion, vomiting, worsening headache or drowsiness
See your GP first
- Back pain with fever, chills or unexplained weight loss
- Pain that is constant, unrelated to movement, or wakes you every night
- A joint that is hot, red and swollen, especially with feeling unwell
- New numbness, pins and needles or weakness that is getting worse rather than settling
- A suspected fracture, or an injury you cannot put weight through at all
- Any concussion or head knock, before returning to contact sport
If you are not sure, book with us anyway and say so when you arrive. Part of the job is recognising what is not ours to treat and pointing you to the right place quickly. We refer to GPs, sports physicians and for imaging when the picture warrants it.
What a first appointment involves
History
What happened, what makes it better and worse, what you have already tried, and what you are trying to get back to.
Assessment
Gait and functional movement first, then the region itself. The part that hurts is frequently compensating for something above or below it.
Explanation
What we think is going on and why, in language you can repeat to someone else. If we are not sure, we say so.
Treatment
Hands-on treatment on the day. Dry needling where it is indicated, and loaded rehab in the TrueStretch where it helps.
A plan in writing
What to do this week, what to avoid, and what should change by the next appointment. If you train, a copy for your coach.
Common questions
Do I need a referral?
No. Osteopaths are first-contact practitioners in Australia, so you can book directly. A referral only matters for funding pathways such as a Medicare care plan, DVA or WorkCover.
Can I claim on private health insurance?
Yes, if you hold extras cover that includes osteopathy or remedial massage. Check your level of cover with your fund.
How many appointments will I need?
It depends entirely on the problem, how long it has been there, and what you need to get back to. You should have a clear sense of the likely course after the first appointment, and if things are not changing as expected we will say so rather than keep booking you in.
Will I have to stop training or working?
Usually not. Complete rest is rarely necessary, and you will leave with a written list of what is still safe to do.
What should I wear?
Shorts and a t-shirt. If the problem shows up in a specific movement, we will probably ask you to show us.
What if it turns out not to be musculoskeletal?
Then we tell you and refer you on. Recognising what falls outside our scope is part of the assessment, not a failure of it.
Not sure which one you are?
Book an assessment and we will work it out. 92 Parsons Street, Kensington, inside Renegade BJJ. Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 8am–2pm.