We have great news, you do not need a referral to see an Osteopath. However people can benefit from a referral, so keep on reading to find out more.

Firstly let’s review when to see an Osteopath

Our increasingly sedentary lifestyle, including hours of sitting or inactive lifestyle , has increased health hazards. Chronic disease is on the rise, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, chronic pain conditions, arthritis and fibromyalgia, just to name a few. These are sometimes termed lifestyle diseases. The good news is that making modifications to your lifestyle, in conjunction with a health professional can help prevent and or manage these problems. For many people, these “diseases” can be reversed. Now we are not talking about managing with medication for the rest of your life. We are talking about digging deep into the underlying causes and addressing these to make a major impact on your health.

Before we move on to referrals, I am not suggesting for a moment that you should currently stop taking medication you have been prescribed. Please keep taking your medication. Changing your lifestyle, habits, exercise, stress management, posture and fitness requires time and commitment. This will not happen overnight. However Osteopaths want to support you to improve your health to the level where you may no longer require these medications to sustain you.

So why is a referral helpful?

Osteopaths don’t work alone. Health professionals ideally work as a team. We want to be in communication with your doctor and other people involved in the maintenance of your health and wellbeing. Having a referral opens a pathway of communication and knowledge. The more people who are on board with your plan, the more like likely you are to succeed.

It is worth noting there are many other health professionals in the community who don’t know much about what an Osteopath does. They may recommend you see someone else. If you want to come for an appointment, you do not need a referral. We may however send your doctor a letter to explain what we are doing with you and why. This is a great opportunity for them to learn more about what we do. It also gives them confidence to know you are receiving excellent care.

You may be eligible for funding

You may (or may not) be familiar with the Chronic Disease Management Plan. This is a government initiative run by Medicare to improve the health of people with chronic disease. To learn more about the program click here.

Your GP in conjunction with a nurse practitioner at your medical centre writes the referral for the plan. This is then sent to all healthcare practitioners involved in implementing the plan. You will receive a partial medicare rebate for a number of appointments, as indicated in the plan. This can be very helpful to get you on track with your chronic condition. We then write to your doctor to inform them of your progress.

What will your Osteopath do for you?

Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners, this means they can be a first point of contact in the healthcare system. They are trained to carry out standard medical examinations of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Practitioners can identify, screen and refer for serious medical situations.

Let’s assume your health is stable. At an initial osteopathic appointment, we will discuss your current complaint in detail. Osteopaths will want to know in depth about your medical and family history. Your lifestyle, habits, goals and expectations will be discussed. There is always an opportunity to ask questions. Assessment will occur prior to any treatment. We will formulate a plan to help you achieve your goals. This will include what we will do and what you can do to help yourself. The management plan can then be sent to your doctor or other health care providers.

No referral required

Bottom-line, you can “self-refer” to see an Osteopath. Either way, it is still advisable to make your GP well informed of your care. This ensures your medical records are up to date. In addition it encourages and promotes better care by both practitioners.

Osteopathy primarily is a philosophy of understanding the body works in conjunction with the quality of your environment. Health is achieved when your body, mind and spirit are in balance with your life and surroundings. We trust in the bodies capacity to self regulate and move towards health when under the right circumstances, such as lifestyle. Osteopathy is a drug-free and non- invasive approach, which uses techniques to manipulate and balance all the body systems. We promote overall good health, well-being and achieving a better quality of life.

So like we said, you do not need a referral to see an Osteopath, but we do welcome them. Make an appointment today.