Osteopathy
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 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
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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.
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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 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
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?
How long will it take?
What should I bring?
What should I wear?
How many consultations are usually required?
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?
Will I need to have scans?
Is Osteopathy and chiropractic covered by private health insurance?
Do you treat Work Cover Injuries?
Do you treat Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries?
Do you treat Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) patients?
Is Osteopathy or Chiropractic covered by Medicare?
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!