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

Dr Erin Martin (Osteopath)

B.HSc. B.App.Sc (Osteo)

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

Dr Kirsten Hannan (Osteopath)

B.App. Sc. (Osteo). M. Ost Member OA

Dr Kirsten Hannan (Osteopath)

B.App. Sc. (Osteo). M. Ost Member OA

Kirsten is a fantastic addition to the Team at Body of Life particularly given that her main motivator is helping people! She finds this extremely rewarding and giving someone immediate relief and lasting recovery from their symptoms so they can live their best life makes her very happy. Her patients love her calm and friendly nature and bubbly personality as well!

In her spare time, Kirsten loves pilates and swimming but her main exercise comes in the form of kid-wrangling and she adores spending time with her family along with reading and listening to podcasts. When it comes to TV she has watched Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning and she is still a fan, even though it jumped the shark a while ago! For something light-hearted and a good laugh, she also loves Schitt’s Creek.

In terms of advice for her patients, Kirsten believes that ignoring pain often leads to more pain. Be kind to yourself and listen to your body. And finally – Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live. – Jim Rohn

Dr Daniel Wood (Osteopath)

B.ClinSc & M. OstMed Member OA

Dr Daniel Wood (Osteopath)

B.ClinSc & M. OstMed Member OA

Daniel is a passionate Osteopath who completed his study at Southern Cross University, first enrolling into a Bachelor of Clinical Science (Osteopathy) and later on completing a Masters of Osteopathic Medicine. After experiencing back pain from an incident at the gym, Daniel found immediate relief from seeing a local osteopath. This inspired him to begin his journey in Osteopathy and use his skills to help others with pain, whether it is acute or chronic.

Daniel is all about maintaining an active lifestyle and enjoys playing sport, in particular racquet sports, rock climbing and weight lifting. He believes that everyone should be able to enjoy exercise without pain and trusts that osteopathic care can help us to perform our best.

Daniel provides osteopathic care to adults of all ages, with an interest in sporting injuries, low back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain and occupational strains. Daniel adopts an osteopathic principle ‘motion is life’ and insists on educating his patients to perform a regular exercise routine in order to prevent injury. He is well prepared to accommodate to his patient’s needs.

Dr Stacey Lapham (Osteopath)

B.HSc. B.App. Sc. (Osteo). M. Ost Member OA

Dr Stacey Lapham (Osteopath)

B.HSc. B.App. Sc. (Osteo). M. Ost Member OA

Stacey graduated from the University of Western Sydney with a Masters of Osteopathy in 2006 and since then has gained registration as an Osteopath in both Australia and the UK.

Stacey has practised in multidisciplinary clinics across Sydney and London over the past decade. While in London Stacey tutored in Anatomy in the wet labs of London’s St George’s University Hospital working with cross-sectional cadaveric specimens, gaining invaluable knowledge of the connections of the human body.

Stacey was an elite athlete for over 25 years winning multiple State, National and International titles in Athletics, Cross Country and Touch football over her sporting career. It was through her love of sport and her own injuries that lead her to study the human body. Through this, and her knowledge and experience as an Osteopath she came to recognise the connection between mind and body and the important relationship they play in accurately diagnosing and treating conditions.

Stacey believes in getting to the root cause of the problem. Her thorough consultations and holistic approach to treatments help patients to understand the cause of their problem, and how to manage this for long term benefits.

With her caring nature, Stacey has been dedicated to providing her patients with Osteopathic care and has developed a great level of rapport with her patients over the years.

Stacey enjoys treating all conditions including work-related postural pain, sports-related injuries, neck and back pain, joint pain and headaches. Stacey uses a wide range of techniques to help her patients return to good health and improve their quality of life. She also practices trigger point dry needling and is a certified mat Pilates instructor.

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, 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!