Osteopathy

Osteopathic Treatments

Who do we treat?

Osteopathic treatment is suitable for any age group. We pre-screen you to establish the most appropriate treatments to suit your condition, concerns or sensitivities.

We’re trained to treat:
• Adults
• Babies
• Toddlers and children
• Teenagers (growing pains, sports injuries)
• Pregnant mums
• 50 Plus

What treatments will you receive?

Osteopathic treatments we use include:
• joint manipulation
• cranial osteopathy
• dry needling
• remedial massage
functional/movement assessment
postural assessments
off-the-peg orthotic assessment
exercise prescription
clinical advice

Why choose Well Adjusted Osteopathy?

We’re conveniently located

We’re no more than a 20-minute drive from most of South Canberra, Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra—and no more than a 30-minute drive from almost everywhere else in Canberra. Parking’s easy—it’s free on the clinic property and on the nature strip next to the property.

Our patients are mostly ‘word of mouth’ recommendations

Why aren’t there any testimonials on our website? We’re not allowed to use testimonials to advertise our clinic. We’re regulated by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and like all medical services in Australia, we can’t use testimonials to promote our business. Does that bother us? Hardly—our loyal patients spread the word without even being asked!

We don’t bamboozle you with medical jargon

We want you to understand what’s going on during your appointment. If we’re to work together to improve your health, how can that happen if your eyes glaze over? To keep you 100% in the loop, we keep medical terminology to a level that you can easily understand—at all stages of diagnosis and treatment.

You’ll soon realise we’re excellent Osteopaths

We keep our knowledge and skills up to date. Who benefits from this? You do. To be registered with AHPRA we have to complete a minimum 25 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year. Our Osteopaths often complete many more hours than this. They love keeping abreast of their special-interest treatment skills and updating any skills gaps.

Our treatments are bespoke

Each appointment is tailored-made for you, exactly as you are when you visit to us. We consider your age, medical history, activity levels, time constraints, stressors and your outcome goals for starters. There may be even more factors we consider. We work together. We’re collaborative and you’re part of the treatment process, every step of the way.

We value your time

How frustrating is it to be kept waiting for booked medical appointments? We’re not here to spoil your day, and punctuality is one of our core values. If any rare, unforeseen events delay us, we contact you in advance because we believe your time is as valuable as ours.

Our clinic’s a Judgement Free Zone

If you’re feeling broken, are a bit overweight, are working a too hard and maybe haven’t been looking after yourself, there’s no need to hide away. You’re always welcome to book an appointment at our clinic. We know things sometimes get in the way of achieving perfect health. At times you’ll need a bit more support, extra kindness and understanding, a listening ear and outside help. Visit us without fear of judgment. We’re here for you in the good times and the bad.

We love feet

Are your feet feeling unloved? They won’t be at Well Adjusted. At times we’ll take a long hard look at your feet. We’ll move them, stretch them and even massage them. As bipedal animals, our two feet are under enormous pressure every time we stand, walk, jump or run. This force is supposed to dissipate in a balanced way—up through our ankles, legs and into our pelvis and spine. Sometimes the balance gets out of whack. If that happens, we end up with pain in our pelvis, spine or even our necks—while our feet feel little or no pain. To prevent or alleviate this, we love—and rarely neglect—your feet.

We love dogs… but what’s that got to do with osteopathy?

In truth, there’s no connection—but it does say a lot about our Well Adjusted Osteopaths. According to German philosopher Immanuel Kant ‘We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.’

Fun fact: all of our Osteopaths are dog lovers and dog owners. And that’s a good thing for our patients—including you. Our dogs Jace Olive, Rufus and Delilah keep us fit and make us ‘the most fun to be around’, according to a 2019 study conducted by the University of Texas. Another great reason to choose Well Adjusted Osteopathy.

Although we’re incredibly well qualified and extensively trained professionals, you’ll notice we love a laugh as much as anyone.

How do I book?

Contact us on 1300 678 360. If you’d prefer, email us or book online, contact us here.

Types of appointments

Initial Consultation:
Is this your first visit?

Book an initial consultation and we’ll investigate your medical history, interpret your symptoms and treat you.

 

Standard Consultation:
If we’ve previously treated you and have your medical history on file, this is the appointment you’ll need.

We’ll talk about your response to the previous treatment, any changes in symptoms, or any new symptoms (if you haven’t been treated for a while). We’ll then physically examine you and treat you.

 

Extended Consultation:
Do you need longer treatment time? This appointment allows more in-depth treatment.

Book an extended consultation if you’re experiencing pain in more than a couple of areas and need more time with us.

Deep Alignment Osteopathic Consult with Dr Alison Simmons
Adjust – Align – Reset & Restore with a Deep Alignment Osteopathic session.

In Deep Alignment Osteopathy sessions, Ali has time to deeply connect with you, identify your mind and body’s greatest needs, then draw on her extensive skills, qualifications and experience to best restore and align you.

Over time, Ali has observed that benefits to patients are more enduring after extended, immersive sessions, and that regular maintenance appointments may be spaced further apart when she practises this form of specialised osteopathy treatment.

Whether you’re an existing or new patient, Ali invites you to try her Deep Alignment Osteopathy treatments. If you value an extended, more immersive, focussed, connected and multi technique treatment with longer lasting benefits, these will suit you perfectly.

Short / Emergency Osteopathic Consult (Existing patients of Dr Alison Simmons)
During short / emergency osteo appointments, Ali will only treat one or two discrete areas of the body, such as the area in which you are experiencing acute pain. Alternatively, this appointment might be appropriate for you between your longer Deep Alignment Osteopathy treatments.

NOTE: This appointment is not available to patients who have not seen Ali before or who have not had a Deep Alignment/Total Body Adjustment appointment in the last 6 months

Seeking help is often the hardest step

Low back pain

If you suffer from back pain, you’re not alone. Most people (over 80%) experience back pain at some time in their lives. Back pain is the most common pain our patients experience.

There are many causes of back pain including bad posture, poor seating, unsupportive beds and pillows, incorrect lifting, sedentary lifestyle, stress (both physical and mental), trauma, sports injuries, pregnancy, occupational/lifestyle ‘wear and tear’ and so on.

No matter what the cause, how intense or slight the pain, or where your pain is located, osteopathy is a natural intervention that may offer pain relief. If you want a lasting, drug-free pain solution, we may be able to help.

Prolapsed/Slipped Disc

Your discs are your spine’s shock absorbers. They’re the pieces of squishy tissue between your spine’s vertebrae. Technically, discs cannot slip. However, they can bulge, collapse and even rupture.

Disc injury commonly occurs in road traffic accidents or when you’re lifting objects. Disc injuries cause pain, tingling or numbness at or away from the site of the injury. Disc pain is a serious problem that could see you unable to work for months. Discs can also be damaged by degeneration of the spine.

We’re trained to determine whether osteopathic treatment is appropriate for your case. If it is, you may see good improvement and may soon be able to return to normal daily activities without painkillers and without surgery.

If we believe you’ll need treatment beyond the scope of osteopathy, we’ll refer you to specialist medical professionals.

Sciatica and Prolapsed Disc

Sciatic pain can be excruciating. It may hit you suddenly or be an increasing ache in your legs. Pain down the back of one or both legs— sometimes as far as the ankles, feet and toes—is a sign of sciatica. It’s caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. A prolapsed disc may cause sciatica but there are other conditions (such as spinal decay) that can cause irritation of the sciatic nerve.

Early sciatic pain is sometimes so mild you might ignore it. If you have mild sciatic pain, it’s vital to get a diagnosis. We’re trained to ascertain

what’s causing your sciatic pain. Sometimes we work in conjunction with other health care professionals, so you get the best pain management for your sciatica.

Pinched Nerves

When you have a pinched nerve you may feel pain, muscle weakness, pins and needles, numbness or even a burning sensation. Pinched nerves are fairly rare. They are most often caused by inflammation (caused by abnormal function or loading of your spinal vertebra) that puts pressure on your nerve.

We’re trained to assist in minimising inflammation by restoring good posture and relaxing your tight muscles—getting you out of pain and on the road to recovery.

Hip, Buttock, Leg and Foot Pain

Leg pain doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with your leg. You may, for example, have pain in your leg or foot when the problem is in your lower back.

We identify whether the pain is local, or if it’s radiating (along your nerves) from another part of your body.

Heel pain can be caused by problems with your plantar fasciitis—a strong band of tissue (like a ligament) that goes from your heel to the middle foot bones. This tissue supports the arch of your foot and also acts as a shock-absorber.

You’ll most likely experience the worst heel pain in the morning, and on taking your first steps of the day. Pain may settle during exercise, only to return more intensely afterwards.

Bursitis has a similar pain pattern to plantar fasciitis but with symptoms felt in the hip/buttock region. Both plantar fasciitis and bursitis are often caused by a failure of function elsewhere in the body.

Our osteopaths look at your body as whole to ensure that issues in the pelvis and low back are not contributing factors to hip, leg and foot pain.

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Poor work posture, repetitive movements and stress can all cause pain, discomfort and muscle tension in your neck, at the base of your skull and over the top of your shoulders. You might also experience frequent headaches.

Neck and shoulder pain can recur weeks, months or even years later. We can help reduce your painful symptoms and prevent reoccurrences.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common car accident injury that can happen even in low-speed impacts. Sometimes whiplash doesn’t cause any pain at the time of your accident. Problems can arise weeks, months or even years later.

Injuries to your neck caused by sudden movements of your head (backward, sideways or forwards) take your spine beyond its normal limits. Your vertebrae are forced out of normal position and function, causing the muscles, ligaments and tendons supporting your spine and head to be overstretched and torn.

The shock absorbers of your spine—the discs—can bulge, tear or rupture. The nerve roots and your spinal cord can become stretched and irritated.

Common symptoms of whiplash are:
• Neck pain
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Pain, pins and needles, numbness or muscle spasm in your shoulder/arm/hands
• Reduced ability to turn and bend
• Low back problems

We diagnose and treat your condition using osteopathic techniques that can assist in returning your framework to normal function and may reduce your pain.

If caught early enough, whiplash inflammation can be reduced, and scar tissue can be minimised.

(We advise against use of standard neck collars as they can cause your supportive muscles to weaken, lengthening your recovery time.)

Shoulder, Arm, Hand Pain and Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

The anatomy of your shoulder makes it vulnerable to injury. Arm and shoulder pain isn’t always as it seems—what’s causing your pain can sometimes be complicated. We’re trained to accurately diagnose your problem and treat accordingly.

Pain can arise from a frozen shoulder, tennis/golfers’ elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury, sports injuries, awkward sleeping positions—or the way you sit at work for all day.

Most shoulder, arm and hand problems are related to a large nerve outlet called the brachial plexus. The nerves that service your arms and shoulders all meet here before they branch off. A compressed nerve can trigger unpleasant tingling in your fingers or feelings of heat, cold and swelling.

Osteopathic treatment may help relieve shoulder, arm and hand pain. If we believe you’ll need treatment beyond the scope of osteopathy, we’ll refer you to specialist medical professionals.

Headaches

Headaches are common but not normal.

There are many types of headaches. Headache pain can occur at the base of the skull, the surface of the head or the face and eyes. It may be felt on both sides or on just one side of the head.

Tension headaches are often associated with life or work stress. Emotional stress can increase muscular tension, especially at the base of your neck, head and jaw. This tension can irritate nerves and upset the blood flow, causing headaches.

Migraines can be very debilitating and disturbing. Symptoms can include visual and hearing disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, or even vomiting.

Poorly functioning neck joints can affect the nerves of the face, head and neck. When spinal nerves and associated tissues are stretched or irritated, they can produce throbbing headaches.

Painkillers can mask the cause, allowing your problem to get worse.

We carefully diagnose the cause of your headaches, then recommend the best care for you. If yours is not an Osteopathic case, we’ll refer you to the appropriate health care provider.

Osteoarthritis

The impact of osteoarthritis can be profound and your suffering immense. The typical symptoms of this type of arthritis are pain, stiffness and restricted mobility.

Masking your pain with medication can lead to problems in other areas and doesn’t fix the source of your problem.

Injecting cortisone or some other steroid can give a degree of pain relief, but in the long term causes your cartilage to deteriorate and leads to future joint destruction.

Also called degenerative arthritis, this condition usually presents as you age. According to the American College of Rheumatology, 78% of people over the age of 70 have some x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis and 63% of people over 65 have symptoms of osteoarthritis or other musculoskeletal conditions.

Osteoarthritis begins years before any bone changes appear on x-ray. Poorly functioning joints increase the likelihood of osteoarthritis in specific sites such as hips, knees and spine.

Osteopathy may help alleviate pain and movement restriction that’s often associated with these conditions. Osteopathy plays a big role in maintaining or increasing joint mobility and function.

If you suffer severe arthritis, gentle osteopathic methods can assist in maintaining a reasonable degree of mobility.

We’re trained to assist in the treatment of many physical problems the 50 Plus age group experience.

Sports Injuries

Sports injuries need to be quickly diagnosed and treated to prevent weaknesses and bad compensation after injury.

Exercise and fitness is key to a healthy life and sense of well-being, but injuries can occur if you exercise a body part that’s not functioning properly in the first place. These can include spinal or pelvic misalignment, muscle imbalance or poor posture.

We assess and treat all factors that have contributed to your sports injury. We assist in helping your body to work in a coordinated and cohesive manner, which may prevent compounding problems.

Pregnancy Pain and Pregnancy Backache

Huge physical, mental and hormonal changes take place during pregnancy and these put strain on your body.

Postural changes during pregnancy can cause low back pain, hip pain, sciatica, pubic pain and headaches—and inhibit the smooth progression of labour.

Osteopathy can relieve these symptoms and help prepare the pregnant body for the best possible birth experience. We use osteopathic techniques that are suitable and safe throughout your pregnancy.

We get your pelvic joints and lower back in best condition to freely enhance your birthing experience. If your muscles and joints are functioning optimally then the prognosis for a good labour and post-partum recovery is increased.

Birth Prep

You don’t have to be in pain to benefit from osteopathy during pregnancy.

We provide a program called Birth Prep for preventative treatment. This program starts around week 36 of your pregnancy and is designed to ensure you’re in the best physical shape for an optimum birth experience.

We assess the mobility of your spine and pelvis and examine of the tone of your spinal and hip muscles.

If the muscles of your spine and pelvis are too tight, they may hold your back and pelvis in a state of tension at the time of labour, with a resulting increase in labour pain and possibly even increasing the duration of labour.

Osteopathic treatment during late pregnancy is very relaxing. The more relaxed you are, the more likely you are to have a good birth experience.

Babies, Children, and Growing Pains

Children’s bodies undergo many stresses as they grow from babies to teenagers. Our osteopaths use gentle treatments when working with children of all ages. We treat babies, children and teenagers for a range of conditions.

Children also experience posture problems, inflammatory conditions and sporting injuries, while teenagers often suffer muscle and joint pain associated with rapid growth.

Apart from aches and pains associated with postural changes and the stress associated with being a young adult, there are several known conditions associated with childhood (such as Osgood Schlatter’s Disease, Scheuermann’s Disease and Scoliosis). We’re trained to evaluate, minimise and in some cases may eliminate the painful symptoms of these childhood conditions.

 

How do I book?

Contact us on 1300 678 360. If you’d prefer, email us or book online, contact us here.