Osteopathy FAQs — Mixed Osteo Kensington

Osteopathy Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about osteopathy at Mixed Osteo in Kensington. If your question isn't answered here, call the clinic on (03) 4054 1621 or get in touch.

What exactly is osteopathy?

Osteopaths work to alleviate pain across the body — muscles, nerves, joints, bones, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. They do this by restoring the body's function so it can work as intended, which can help reduce pain, support recovery and improve how the body performs.

Osteopathy was founded in 1892 by Dr Andrew Still, who believed in preventative medicine and treating the cause rather than the symptoms. Becoming an osteopath requires a high level of anatomy and physiology knowledge, along with five years of university education.

You can read more on our What is Osteo? page.

Is there an osteopath in my area?

Mixed Osteo is a local osteopath if you live in Kensington, Moonee Ponds, Flemington, Ascot Vale or Travancore. Many of our patients also come from North Melbourne, Footscray, West Footscray, Parkville and Brunswick.

Our clinic is at 92 Parsons Street, Kensington, inside Renegade MMA — see our location page for directions and public transport options, or book online to schedule an appointment.

Do I require a referral?

No. Osteopaths are primary health care providers, so you don't need a referral from your GP to book an appointment.

That said, we frequently receive referrals from general practitioners, and when we do, we work alongside your doctor to build a treatment plan suited to your needs.

If you've been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, you may be eligible for Chronic Disease Management (CDM) assistance. Your GP needs to complete a specific referral form before treatment for you to claim part of the consultation fee from Medicare.

Can I use my private health insurance? What payment options are there?

Yes — most health insurers cover osteopathy as an 'extras' benefit. We recommend contacting your private health insurer to clarify your policy's terms and conditions, and to confirm how much of the fee will be covered.

See our getting started page for details on payment and what to bring to your appointment.

What is the educational background of an osteopath?

Osteopaths are highly educated health care providers. In Australia, they must complete a minimum of five years of full-time university training — either a three-year bachelor's degree followed by a two-year master's degree, or a double bachelor's degree.

To practise, osteopaths must be registered with the Osteopathy Board of Australia, which is governed by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Maintaining that registration requires 25 hours of Continued Professional Development (CPD) each year.

You can read about our osteopath on Dr Luke Smith's profile.

What can I expect from my initial consultation?

When you first arrive at the clinic, you'll be asked to fill out a personal information form covering your medical history.

Your osteopath will then take a thorough case history, conduct a full examination, and diagnose your condition using a standard medical approach.

Following that diagnosis, your osteopath will provide appropriate hands-on treatment and outline a management strategy in plain language, aimed at resolving your presenting health concern.

Our getting started page covers what to wear and what to bring.

Is osteopathy appropriate for my condition?

Osteopaths have the skills to determine whether treatment is appropriate for you, or whether you should be referred to another health professional.

Conditions we commonly see at the clinic include:

This list isn't exhaustive, so please contact us if you have any further questions.

Book Your Osteopathy Appointment

Or call the clinic on (03) 4054 1621. You may also want to read our remedial massage FAQs or compare osteo, physio and chiro.