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Male osteopath treating back problem of a woman lying on medical examination table

Osteopath

Osteopaths diagnose and treat tissue strains, stresses and dysfunctions which impede normal neural, vascular and biochemical mechanisms, and provide advice on preventing these disorders.

Overview

Osteopaths diagnose and treat tissue strains, stresses and dysfunctions which impede normal neural, vascular and biochemical mechanisms, and provide advice on preventing these disorders.

Day-to-day

  • assists and improves the function of body systems
  • plans and discusses effective management of patients' dysfunction
  • designs, reviews, monitors, assesses and evaluates treatment programmes
  • records detailed patient medical histories, treatments delivered and the patients' responses and progress to treatments
  • uses gentle movements to treat muscles, bones and joints
  • gently changes and corrects the movement of the spine to restore movement and health
  • refers patients to specialists and liaise with other health professionals in relation to patients' problems, needs and progress
  • educates patients, their partners, family and friends in therapeutic procedures, such as home exercises and lifestyle changes, to enhance patients' health and wellbeing.

Considerations

  • stressful.

Occupation snapshot
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Not available
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Moderate

To become an Osteopath

  • You need either a double degree in health science and applied science (osteopathy) or a bachelor degree in clinical sciences followed by a postgraduate qualification in osteopathy to work as an Osteopath. Most Osteopaths have postgraduate qualifications.

    Find a Bachelor of Science with Osteopathy

  • Registration with the Osteopathy Board of Australia is required.

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