Osteopathy Helping Your Body Help You!
Osteopathy Australia (formerly Australian Osteopathic
Association) is holding its annual Osteopathy
Awareness Week from 13-19 April. This is the perfect time to find out how
an osteopath can help you and encourage healthy habits at work and home.
The majority of injuries suffered by Australians occur in
the workplace or during leisure activities, according to a National Health
Survey (ABS)[1].
Osteopaths are uniquely positioned to assist people of all ages to prevent
injuries that can easily occur in daily life.
Osteopathy, statistically the fastest growing health
profession in Australia[2],
is a form of drug-free, manual healthcare that focuses on a whole-of-body
approach to health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework.
Osteopathy takes a unique approach to healthcare and looks
at the entire body as a working unit, Osteopaths use manual techniques to assist
all systems of the body and ensure each part is working correctly.
Osteopaths regularly treat patients who have been injured in
the workplace, at home or while playing sport. These patients may complain of
lower back pain, headaches, muscle strain or joint stiffness.
Injury prevention means less time off work and more time
enjoying good health, so itÛªs important for Australians to know how injuries
can happen and how to prevent them.
In the office:
select a suitable chair for your desk, take regular breaks from looking at the
computer screen and move around the office periodically. Without these
precautions, people may experience back and neck pain, eyestrain, headache pain
or general stress and tension.
In the home:
simple tasks such as lifting grocery shopping or carrying young children can
easily cause injury. Bend your knees as you lift heavy items and avoiding
sudden, jerky movements as these risk damaging the lower back or straining
muscles.
Exercise: perform
warm up and cool down stretches before and after exercise. This is especially
important during the colder weather as the risk of injury becomes greater.
With our lives becoming increasingly busy, yet sedentary,
osteopathy offers a prevention plan that is quick and easy and offers a great way
for Australians to maintain their health.
Osteopathy is safe for all age groups and osteopaths treat
not only the specific problem but also provide lifestyle advice on diet,
exercise, stress reduction, posture and breathing. Osteopaths encourage individuals
to proactively prevent injuries and ailments, which in the long term leads to
better overall health and less time and money spent on treatment.
Osteopaths can be seen directly without a referral or in
addition to the care provided by a GP. It is acknowledged by all major health
funds as well as DVA, Workcover, Medicare and attracts a rebate with a GP
referral for chronic pain and conditions.
[1]ABS. (2002). Health Risk Factors: Work-related
injuries. Canberra: ABS.
[2] ABS. (2008). Australian Social Trends.
Canberra: ABS.