Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a ‘hands on’ approach to health care especially for musculoskeletal complaints. It recognises the important link between the structures of the body, the skeleton, muscles, joints, nerves and circulation and how it works and feels.
Using skilled evaluation, diagnosis and a wide range of hands-on techniques, our Osteopaths are able to identify important types of dysfunction in your body. Techniques like soft tissue massage, mobilisation, manipulation, stretching and dry needling as well as subtle and gentle ‘indirect’ techniques are some of the many tools we use to make it safe and effective for you and your family.
Additionally we also take the time to help you understand your injury or complaint and view it in the context of your whole body. The aim is to provide relief from your pain and also help you to understand why it occurred and how to prevent it from recurring.
This might include the provision of exercises (stretching, strengthening, neuromobilisation, balance or sport specific), postural retraining, advice on work ergonomics, stress management and correct lifting techniques. In addition we also work with your GP and other health professionals if required to ensure you are on your road to recovery and your healthiest and best life.
Body of Life Health Centre is equipped to look after babies and toddlers, school age children, hard working university students, athletes (including our weekend warriors), mums and dads as well as those older and wiser. So regardless of age we can help you!
Our Osteopaths are registered with AHPRA, members of Osteopathy Australia, qualified in dry needling and are committed to their ongoing professional education.
Osteopaths in Australia are government registered practitioners who complete a minimum of five years’ university training in anatomy, physiology, pathology, general medical diagnosis and Osteopathic techniques. Osteopathy is covered by most private health funds and by Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plans. Also Osteopaths are registered providers for DVA patients, as well as by workers’ compensation schemes and motor accident insurers.
To answer more of your questions about Osteopathy visit FAQ here.
Meet our Osteopaths
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Dr Kristy Buist (Osteopath)B. App. Sc. (Osteo). M. Ost. Member OA
Dr Kristy Buist – Director Body of Life (Osteopath)
Dr Kristy Buist is a Founding Director and Principal Osteopath at Body of Life Health Centre.
She has always genuinely wanted to help people live their healthiest life, and this led to her discovery and love of Osteopathy. Kristy has extensive experience treating elite athletes from various sporting codes and loves to see her clients perform their best at all times.
She is well known at the clinic for her diagnostic skills, guiding her clients with the best management plan and her strong hands! Kristy will ask the tough questions and enquire about obstacles because she sees the potential in each of her clients to live a healthy and fulfilling life. She loves to educate and inform you so that know how to move forward.
Kristy seems to have more hours in each day and days in the week than the rest of us! She is a mother of two energetic boys, has completed a Functional Nutritional course at Changing Habits, trains at Cross Fit regularly and still manages to socialise, cook from scratch at home and run the business.
She really is a superstar!
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Dr Emma Berry (Osteopath)B.App.Sc. (Osteo), M. Ost. Member OA
Emma is a wonderful addition to our team and loves the fact that she can go to work and make a difference to someone’s life.
She loves to help others, give back and empower people to make positive changes as well as improve their symptoms, functionality and overall health.
Emma enjoys creating a supportive and empathetic space for people to heal and enjoys hearing client’s stories and experiences and finding out what they are passionate about. She aims to make everyone feel that they are heard, acknowledged and supported by their treatment process and believes that Osteopathy is so much more than hands on treatment.
Her favourite way to exercise is by being outdoors either walking, swimming in the ocean, running or bike riding and she loves to meditate and bushwalk. In her spare time she loves to walk on the beach with her dogs and loves to garden, cook and enjoy a good coffee!
Her favourite TV shows include Suits and Orange is the new black and musically she loves Sticky Fingers, Ocean Alley and Tash Sultana.
The thing that Emma wishes all of her patients did is to understand that a healthy body isn’t just about eating well and working out. It’s also about having a healthy mind!
Her favourite motto is “The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency you have”.
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Dr Melanie Woollam (Osteopath)B.App.Sc. (Osteo), M. Ost. Member OA
Dr Melanie Woollam is a founding Director and Principal Osteopath at Body of Life Health Centre. She has been providing Osteopathy care for individuals and families on the northern beaches for over thirteen years and is known at the clinic for her ability to coach people towards a healthy lifestyle. She walks the walk and practices what she preaches when it comes to healthy living!
Melanie is passionate about Osteopathy because it encapsulates everything she is interested in – people, health, anatomy, exercise, sport and nutrition. Her aim is to see her clients live full, complete and healthy lives. This passion has led her to study health and wellness coaching to be better equipped to help people make the changes they want to make to live their healthiest and best life.
In her spare time Melanie mentors other health practitioners, volunteers at Hope for Health (an Indigenous Health Retreat in East Arnhem Land), teaches dry needling, runs workshops and seminars on healthy living, sits on tribunals for the profession and is an active member at C3Ryde.
Melanie is a mother of two young children who loves to cook, potter in her vegetable garden, surf, swim or grab the TRX for a quick workout in between loads of washing!
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Dr Kate Major (Osteopath)M.Ost. Member OA
Kate is a Kiwi and recently decided to come to our wonderful country to expand her horizons. She loves Sydney life, particularly being able to explore our wonderful city and discover beaches where she can indulge her love of Scuba Diving and keeping active. She absolutely loves high energy activity and you will often find her in the gym but she also loves discovering new cafes and restaurants so has a balanced approach to her life!
In her capacity as an Osteopath Kate believes that when we injure ourselves or have ongoing or debilitating pain we tend to lose our confidence in our bodies and our ability to perform certain tasks. She loves helping clients regain that confidence in their bodies and get back into activities they once enjoyed or helping them to perform new activities that they never thought that they would! Kate always encourages her patients to move and keep active because the simple impact of an exercise or stretch can make recovery time so much shorter.
Her favourite motto is “Believe you can and you’re halfway there” – Theodore Roosevelt. Something we should all do!
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Dr Alex Kleydish (Osteopath)B. App. Sc. (Osteo). M. Ost. Member OA
Dr Alex Kleydish (Osteopath)
Alex is a registered Osteopath and has been a valuable part of the team at Body of Life for over six years. She has always been interested in the body and the way it works. Alex suffered from headaches when she was young and she always thought there had to be a better way to explain and manage the pain. This led her to discover Osteopathy.
Alex is passionate about helping people to understand their condition or pain in order to move forward and enjoy life again. She is a brilliant communicator and is best known at the clinic for saying ‘Welcome to the torture chamber’ and having the treatment room with the most laughter!
In her spare time, she is at the gym, playing netball, spending time with friends or travelling overseas (when we let her go on holidays)!
Alex enjoys treating people of all ages, from all walks of life, with a wide variety of injuries and conditions.
To book an appointment with an Osteopath call 02 9453 3046 or book online here
FAQ – Osteopaths & Chiropractors
What will happen during the first visit?
Your osteopath or chiropractor will ask you a range of questions about your complaint and general health. They will then perform an assessment and provide you with an explanation of what may be going on. They will suggest a plan of action for how to manage the complaint, prevent further recurrences and how to help you live your healthiest and best life. They will then usually provide some ‘hands on’ treatment and recommend when you return for your next session.
How long will it take?
Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to fill in some paperwork and allow up to one hour for your initial visit.
What should I bring?
Please bring any relevant previous scans (xrays, CT scans or MRIs) and your health insurance card if you would like to claim on the spot with our HICAPS facility.
What should I wear?
We often require you to change into a provided gown with your underwear or you may choose to wear a loose fitting pair of shorts. We will ensure you are warm and comfortable.
How many consultations are usually required?
There is no set answer as every person is different and every complaint presents slightly differently. For most complaints three or four visits are sufficient to reduce pain, improve mobility, provide education and give advice on reducing aggravating factors and improve overall health and well-being.
For more chronic conditions, complex injuries or where pre-existing health issues determine a slower healing time, perhaps more treatment will be required.
Will I require ongoing treatment?
For most people, once the injury has healed or the health complaint improved no ongoing treatment is required. However we live in a less than ideal world. Our lives are often either sedentary or the complete opposite; there are physical and emotional demands that exceed our body’s capacity. Therefore a ‘tune up’ or ‘check up’ is a great way to maintain good health. The frequency of these ‘tune-ups’ will depend on a number of factors and can be discussed with your osteopath or chiropractor. There is no obligation for ongoing treatment.
Will I need to have scans?
Generally no. However, if there is a concern about your complaint or more information is required to make a diagnosis, then sometimes you will be advised to have further imaging. Your osteopath or chiropractor may be able to provide you with a referral, however sometimes you will need to see your GP to obtain further tests, imaging or referral to a specialist.
Is Osteopathy and chiropractic covered by private health insurance?
Yes, if you have Extras cover, however the rebate will depend on the type of cover and the fund you are with. Bring your private health fund card and we can process your health fund payment at the time of consultation with HICAPS.
Do you treat Work Cover Injuries?
Yes. You will need to see your doctor and have Osteopathy or Chiropratic stated as part of your management/treatment on your Work Cover Medical Certificate. Please speak to your GP or call us to find out more information.
Do you treat Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries?
Yes. You will need to see your doctor, register the claim and have Osteopathy or Chiropratic stated as part of your management/treatment plan. Please speak to your GP or call us to find out more information.
Do you treat Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) patients?
Yes. You will need a referral from you doctor. Treatment is entirely covered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. You will need to bring your DVA card with you for osteopathic or chiropractic treatment.
Is Osteopathy or Chiropractic covered by Medicare?
Not generally, however there is a government initiative called the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Program. This allows someone with chronic pain or a chronic condition to have five (5) osteopathic, chiropractic, or other approved allied health service consultations a year when referred by their doctor. A Medicare rebate covers some (but not all) of the fee. Please speak to your GP or call us to see if you might be eligible.
Body of Life Health Centre is a provider of excellence in health services and education,
servicing the Northern Beaches and North Shore.
We exist to equip you to live your healthiest and best life. We are a multidisciplinary team of health practitioners that provide a range of services to you, your family and the local community.
Book in to see an Osteopath, Chiropractor, Psychologist, Massage Therapist, Acupuncturist or Dr of Chinese Medicine with us because we can support you to make the changes you need to feel your best!
We inspire, equip, educate and support our clients on the Northern Beaches and North Shore to make the changes they need to feel their best!