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 Erin Martin (Osteopath)B.HSc. B.App.Sc (Osteo)
Erin is a fantastic addition to our Body of Life team as an Osteopath and we are fortunate she has crossed the border to NSW from Victoria! Erin gains great satisfaction from impacting another person’s life in a positive way and she does this with every client she meets! You will instantly feel at ease, supported and informed with Erin.
Erin provides a thorough assessment and ‘hands-on treatment’ as well as educating you regarding your condition. Erin is always looking for how to prevent the recurrence of an injury through changing work ergonomics or by providing an individualised exercise program. She always aims for you to regain confidence in performing your day to day activities as soon as possible, whether it be gardening, playing with your children (or grandchildren) or returning to your favourite sport.
Erin keeps fit and healthy by going to the gym herself and participating in group classes like Body Pump and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). She also enjoys taking her very energetic dalmatian for a walk! In her downtime, Erin loves spending time with family and friends, discovering a great new coffee shop or watching an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
Her favourite quote is “It always seems impossible until it’s done”. Nelson Mandela
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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 Alexander Douglas (Osteopath)B.HSc. B App.Sc (Osteo) B.A (Media & Cultural Studies)
We are thrilled to welcome Alex Douglas to Body of Life.
Alex loves working as an Osteopath to act as a guide to help you improve your function and decrease musculoskeletal pain levels through evidence based treatment and advice. Alex has found great humility in the awareness and ability to help and guide you when you are at the mercy of your pain. Alex provides a personalised and individualised approach. He likes to be able to fully understand the whys and hows of your specific set of symptoms as no two bodies are the same. You will leave your consult feeling empowered with a diagnosis, a plan and hopefully moving much better!
From a background and love of sport, Alex enjoys treating sporting injuries, back pain and neck pain and helping you return to the things you love doing! Alex will encourage you to keep moving and believes this is key to having happy and healthy joints and muscles!
In his downtime, Alex stays active with a run or a swim followed by a coffee in the morning or a craft beer in the evening! Alex likes listening to Led Zeppelin, Kendrick Lamar, David Bowie and Flight of the Conchords amongst others and loves comedy alongside his love of live music.
Alex’s favourite quote is – “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Confucius
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!