Osteopathic practice with a head, neck & jaw focus. Located in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
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What is an Osteopath? How is Heads Up Osteopathy different?
An Osteopath is a manual medicine practitioner who works on the musculoskeletal system.
Osteopathic management is a patient-centered approach rather than a disease or injury-centered approach to health and treatment.
Here at Heads Up Osteopathy we take manual medicine and individualised care earnestly. Countless hours of ongoing interdisciplinary education is constantly carried out to stay up to date. Hands-on skills and management plans are frequently reviewed and revised. And we fully appreciate clear and honest communication, we want to be on the same page as you.
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Here at Heads Up Osteopathy we mostly see patients presenting with TMJ, neck and head pain:
Tension Type headaches
Cervicogenic headaches
Migraines
Face pain
We respect that the above presentations can have a medical underlying cause. Safety is paramount to us and we will work closely with your Medical, Dental and/or Audiological team as required.
Our 10 steps of Osteopathy treatment for headaches, neck pain or TMJ pain.
What will treatment for your neck, jaw or head pain look like.
We learn about your history and current demands.
We observe and palpate/touch to assess.
We measure & test where your current state.
We discuss your diagnosis and proposed treatment.
We set realistic goals together.
We carry out hands-on treatment & prescribe individualised exercises.
We inform any relevant member of your healthcare team of our findings and proposed treatment plan.
We will communicate with you in between treatments.
We re-assess your progress and ensure that we are on track.
Together we decide if maintaining treatments are required or if you just give us a bell when you need.
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Headache & Migraine relief
We offer individualised headache treatment for cervicogenic headaches, migraines, tension headaches and TMJ headaches. We use targeted manual therapy techniques to address your sore head to help provide headache relief and migraine relief. Techniques commonly utilised include counter strain, muscle energy technique, lymphatic drainage and structural cranium techniques.
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TMJ Disorder & Jaw Pain
TMJ disorder and jaw pain can be overwhelming and frustrating, so let us help you navigate this process. We offer tailored treatment for your TMJ pain, locked jaw or clicking jaw grounded in Orofacial Myology and Osteopathic principles. Out aim is to alleviate your jaw pain and to understand the root cause. TMJ dysfunction can also present as a sore ear or somatic tinnitus or even a tooth ache, this is why we always encourage a multi disciplinary approach.
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Face & Sinus pain
Pain in the face and sinus pain can sometimes have a musculoskeletal origin (pain caused by bones, muscles and connective tissue). Treatment in this region (after being appropriately Medically & Dentally screened) can consist of sinus drainage techniques, lymphatic drainage, structural cranium work, dry needling, soft tissue work and exercise prescription.
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Neck & shoulder pain
We commonly see patients with a ‘pinched nerve in the neck’ or persistent shoulder pain and even those with thoracic outlet syndrome. We work on the the muscles, bones, joints and connective tissue to restore full, pain-free mobility across your entire upper quadrant. As Osteopaths we appreciate the inter related nature of the human body and are constantly looking for dysfunctional imbalances. Osteopathy treatment for neck pain or shoulder pain will consist of joint articulation, counter strain, muscle energy technique, soft tissue, active release techniques and specific exercise prescription.
Our comprehensive Osteopathic approach to head, TMJ and/or neck pain in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs
Tailored treatment plan
We will take the time to consider your indiviual circumstances to create an achievable treatment plan.
Beyond pain
Pain is a symptom. We want to understand why it is occuring and how we can prevent it from reoccuring.
Patient empowerment
We want to help you thrive and be self reliant. But when required, we will always be here to help you.
Growth mindset
Together we will drive forwards accumulating the wins and overcome set backs as they arise.
Restorative environment
We have carefully curated a calm healing space to help you recover ASAP.
We hear you
We will listen carefully in a non-judgmental and professional manner.
Dr Fauntine Lariba (Osteopath) with a focus on headaches, neck and TMJ pain.
B.AppSci, M.HlthSc (Osteo), B.N, Cert.III&IV Fitness, OM.
FAQs
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Osteopaths are practitioners of manual medicine.
We appreciate the inter related / holistic nature of the human body.
We work on the musculoskeletal system, looking for dysfunctional imbalances.
Osteopaths are guided by 4 principles:
The body is a unit. Dysfunction in one area can create problems in another
The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance. Osteopathic treatment aims to support and facilitate this innate healing ability.
Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated. The various systems (e.g., musculoskeletal, nervous) are interrelated with the functions of the body.
Rational treatment is based on understanding these principles. Pain and dysfunction are complex phenomena and there are always many reasons behind why someone feels the pain they experience.
Osteopathy is a patient-centered approach rather than a disease or injury-centered approach to health and treatment.
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Similarities
In Australia we are all musculoskeletal physical therapists who have spent 4-5 years at University. After University, our professional develop courses usually have Physios, Osteos and Chiros all learning together and thus there is substantial overlap.
Osteopathy training also includes exercise rehabilitation and high velocity low amplitude manipulations (the “joint cracking”).
The differences:
-Osteopaths only work in private practice.
-Osteopathy is a patient centred approach to treatment in contrast to a disease or injury focus.
-Osteopaths are guided by 4 key osteopathic principles (article coming soon!) and have an evidence informed approach to treatment.
-Osteopaths also start hands on assessment and palpation from day one in first year of the 5 year degree.
Treatment approaches within Osteopathy are governed by the same principles but the clinical application will greatly vary depending on the practitioners influences and priorities.
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Yes we do accept Enhanced Primary Care Plans/ Chronic Disease Management Plans.
What is an EPC/ CDM?
An Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) plan is a referral from a GP that allows patients to access Medicare-subsidized allied health services for chronic/persistent pain presentations. To visit us on an EPC plan, the plan needs to be written up for ‘Osteopathy’.
How do EPCs work?
A patient visits the GP with an ongoing pain presentation (>6 months) and if the GP feels that the patient would benefit from seeing an allied healthcare provider (eg/ an Osteopath) they may write them up a EPC plan. This plan usually includes 3-5 subsidised consultations to the Osteopath and is valid for 12 months from the referral date.
This paper work is ideally passed directly onto the Osteopathy clinic and/or it is given to the patient to hand across.
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Nothing in particular but comfortable clothing (especially tops) is advisable.
If you have any letters or reports from previous healthcare providers please bring them with you or ideally email them to admin@headsuposteopathy.com prior to your consultation.
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We do/can use Dry Needling as a treatment modality, however we do not practice acupuncture.
What is dry needling?
Dry Needling was adapted from the eastern art of Acupuncture. The physical needles for both practices are the same, but the philosophy of dry needling is completely different to acupuncture.
The needles used are as thin as a piece of hair, so they are significantly smaller than any vaccination needle.
Dry needles are placed in trigger points (bands of tight muscle fibres) to encourage the muscles to relax. The exact mechanism of action is still unclear.
Dry needles aren’t appropriate for everyone and some patients prefer to not have them. Dry needling is just one treatment option, as an Osteopath we have access to a variety of potential treatment options.
Osteopathy practice located in Box Hill South, Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs
Heads Up Osteopathy
154 Station Street, Box Hill South 3128
We have a shared premises with Box Hill South Dental.
Off street parking available at the rear.
Accessible wheelchair friendly premises.