What to expect at your first osteopathy appointment
By the team at Matrix Health & Performance, Ivanhoe East
Seeing a new health practitioner for the first time can feel like a bit of a leap, especially if you are in pain and have been let down by generic advice before. So here is exactly what happens at a first appointment with us, start to finish.
Before you arrive
There is nothing you need to prepare, but a couple of things help. Wear or bring comfortable clothing you can move in. If you have recent scans or referral letters, bring them along, though they are not required. You do not need a GP referral to see an osteopath.
The first 10 to 15 minutes: your story
We start by listening. When the pain started, what makes it better or worse, what your days actually look like, and importantly, what it is stopping you from doing. Pain is rarely just physical. Understanding what is going on in your week tells us a lot about what is driving the problem and what a realistic plan looks like.
The assessment
Next we look at how you move. Not just the sore spot, but the regions around it, because the place that hurts is often compensating for something else. We will explain what we find as we go, in plain language, and answer the question most people actually want answered: what is going on, and is it serious?
Hands-on treatment, same session
Around 40 minutes of your first appointment is hands-on treatment. Depending on what we find, that can include soft tissue work, joint mobilisation, manipulation, dry needling, or cupping. Nothing happens without your consent, and everything is explained before we do it.
What you leave with
Before you go, we make sure you have three things:
- A clear explanation of what is going on
- A plan, including realistic timeframes
- A small number of exercises matched to you, not a generic sheet
Practical details
First appointments run for 60 minutes and cost $150, with $20 off for new patients at the moment. If your private health extras cover includes osteopathy, you can usually claim your rebate on the spot through HICAPS. We are open six days a week at 256 Lower Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe East, with parking available nearby.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Individual circumstances vary, so if you are dealing with pain or an injury, get it assessed properly.
Keep reading
One of the most common questions we hear. Both professions help with pain and injury, so here is an honest look at how they differ and how to choose.
Fees, private health rebates, Medicare plans, and TAC claims, explained in plain language so there are no surprises when you book.
Questions about your own situation?
Book your 60-minute first appointment and we will assess what is actually going on, or call the clinic for an honest chat about whether we can help.
Online booking, instant confirmation. HICAPS rebates on the spot.