Experience improved mobility, pain free living and enhanced wellbeing
Osteopath Gold Coast
Osteopathy, also known as osteopathic medicine, was founded by Dr Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician in the 19th century. Osteopathic philosophy gives a holistic approach to health and stresses the importance of the musculoskeletal system in a person’s health and well-being. The aim of treatment is to support the body’s self-healing capacity.
The study of ‘biomechanics’ – how each part of the musculoskeletal system interacts with and influences every other part – is central to osteopathy. Any joint or muscle injury must be treated as part of the whole body, since other parts of the musculoskeletal system will also be affected. For example, an ankle injury may mean that the patient limps and favours the other foot. Over time, this imbalance can lead to other injuries, such as soreness in the other ankle, knee or hip, or perhaps back pain. At Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast we devise a strategy of treatment that takes your whole musculoskeletal system into account. Attention is also given to other systems of the body – such as the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems – since these all play significant roles in the healing process. Osteopathy can also help with lower back pain and sciatica
As osteopaths we focus on your whole body, including the soft tissues (such as muscles, ligaments and tendons), the spine and nervous system, and may use a variety of different hands-on methods, including:
- Spinal manipulation
- Soft tissue massage techniques
- Articulation – gentle rhythmic joint movements
- Stretching muscles and joint capsules
- Muscle energy techniques – encouraging muscles to work against resistance
Our osteopathic techniques can also include a gentle indirect approach, which can be suitable for the older person, and for those with complex medical problems. Learn me about me.
At Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast we encourage our patients to take responsibility for their own long-term health and wellbeing, we help you find out which lifestyle and environmental factors may be contributing to your condition. These may include poor posture, stress or the need for ergonomic furniture. An osteopath may work out a range of treatments, including individual exercise routines, relaxation techniques or body awareness sessions, which show you how to move your body in gentler ways. View our clinic fees.
My 6 Step "Wholistic" Patient Process
Move Better
Experience improvements in your mobility, flexibility and strength. Our tailored osteopathic treatments and exercise programs help you regain ease and confidence in every movement
Feel Better
Escape the cycle of discomfort for good. Our proven, movement-based methods address the root cause of your pain, delivering lasting relief and helping you reclaim a life free from pain.
Perform Better
Elevate your performance in life by embracing a healthier, more active approach. With the right mindset and movement, you can achieve more, feel better, and thrive in all that you do.
Common Conditions We Treat at Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast
Back Pain
Back pain can arise from muscle strain, poor posture, herniated discs, degeneration or underlying medical conditions
Neck Pain
Poor posture, muscle strain, injury, stress, arthritis, or herniated discs can all contribute to neck pain
Muscle Sprains
Overexertion, repetitive movements, poor posture, sudden twisting, or lifting heavy objects can cause muscle strain
Tendinopathies
Repetitive overuse, aging, improper exercise techniques, lifting heavy objects or trauma may lead to tendinopathies
Headaches
Stress, muscular tension, dehydration, lack of sleep, eye strain, or underlying health issues can cause headaches
Sciatica
Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, often due to herniated discs or spinal stenosis can cause sciatic symptoms
Jaw Pain
Teeth grinding, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, stress, arthritis, or dental issues can cause jaw pain
Sports Injuries
Poor training techniques, overuse, inadequate warm-up, improper equipment, or collisions can lead to sports injuries
Joint Pain
Arthritis, injury, inflammation, overuse, autoimmune disorders, or degeneration may cause discomfort and swelling in joints.
Bursitis
Repetitive movements, joint overuse, trauma, infection, or underlying inflammatory conditions can cause bursitis
Posture
Sedentary lifestyle, slouching, prolonged screen time, improper ergonomics, and weak muscles contribute to poor posture
Arthritis
Inflammation, autoimmune disorders, genetic factors, joint wear, or infections can cause various forms of arthritis
Osteopathic Techniques
Joint Manipulation
As a registered Osteopath, we use joint manipulations, often termed adjustments or high-velocity low-amplitude osteopathic techniques, involving controlled force and specific movements on joints. This aims to restore joint function, alleviate pain, and enhance range of motion.
Joint manipulation’s proposed mechanisms include the release of gas within synovial fluid, creating bubbles that produce the characteristic cracking sound. This gas release contributes to a sense of relief and increased joint mobility. Additionally, the technique involves stretching the joint capsule and ligaments, stimulating proprioceptors that send signals to the nervous system, affecting pain perception and muscle tone.
Joint manipulation may influence the nervous system by stimulating mechanoreceptors, providing feedback to the central nervous system. According to the pain gate control theory, this stimulation can inhibit pain signals’ transmission, contributing to reported pain relief.
Joint Mobilisation
Joint mobilisations and articulations are therapeutic techniques used in manual therapy to improve joint function, reduce pain, and enhance overall mobility. Joint mobilisation can restore normal joint mechanics by addressing restrictions in joint motion. This is crucial for individuals with conditions such as osteoarthritis or after joint surgery. Joint mobilisations can also stimulate the production of synovial fluid, which nourishes and lubricates the joint surfaces, promoting smoother movement. These techniques may modulate pain perception by activating mechanoreceptors and influencing the nervous system.
The proposed mechanism involves breaking down adhesions, stretching tight joint capsules, and improving the elasticity of connective tissues. The proprioceptive input generated during these manoeuvres helps retrain the neuromuscular system, promoting better muscle coordination and joint stability. Overall, joint mobilisations and articulations play a valuable role in restoring joint health and function through mechanical, neurophysiological, and proprioceptive mechanisms
Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) are osteopathic manual therapy methods that enhance joint mobility, alleviate pain, and improve muscle function. The benefits of MET lie in its ability to address musculoskeletal dysfunctions, restore optimal muscle length, and promote joint range of motion. These techniques are particularly useful for conditions characterised by muscle imbalances, joint restrictions, or postural abnormalities.
The proposed mechanism of MET involves the utilization of the patient’s own muscular effort in a controlled manner to achieve therapeutic goals. Practitioners employ specific positions and movements, guiding the patient through isometric or isotonic contractions against resistance. This process engages the proprioceptive feedback mechanisms, stimulating muscle spindle activity and encouraging a neurophysiological response. As a result, the targeted muscles undergo relaxation, lengthening, and improved flexibility. Additionally, MET may stimulate blood flow, enhance nutrient delivery, and facilitate the removal of metabolic waste, promoting tissue healing.
Myofascial Release
The primary aim of myofascial release is to release tension and restrictions within the fascia, a connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs. This can alleviate pain, improve flexibility, and enhance the body’s range of motion.
The proposed mechanism of myofascial release involves the manipulation of fascial tissue through gentle and sustained pressure. Fascia can become tight or restricted due to factors like trauma, inflammation, or poor posture. By applying controlled pressure to specific areas, myofascial release helps to elongate and relax the fascia, allowing for improved blood flow, reduced inflammation, and enhanced tissue mobility.
The benefits of myofascial release include pain relief, increased flexibility, improved posture, and enhanced athletic performance. Myofascial release may contribute to stress reduction and relaxation by releasing physical tension stored in the fascial system.
Gold Coast Osteopathy FAQs
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a manual medicine that uses a hands-on approach to the treatment of structural and functional injuries of the human body. Osteopaths can also prescribe exercises for injury rehabilitation or performance, general nutritional advice and lifestyle coaching.
Osteopathic health care focuses on treatment of the mental, emotional and physical body including the joints, muscles, internal organs, nerves, circulation and connective tissue with ‘hands on’ techniques, such as muscle energy techniques, stretching and myofascial release techniques for general treatment of the soft tissues (muscles, tendons and ligaments) along with the mobilisation, joint articulation and manipulation of joint and tissue restrictions.
What can I expect when visiting Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast?
primary health care practitioners, Osteopaths are trained to examine, treat, diagnose, manage and prevent musculoskeletal disorders, injuries or dysfunctions.
During your first visit to Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast, a complete medical history is taken which will include questions about your current and past diet, sleep quality and habits, exercise and lifestyle choices. We will also ask about any current or past accidents or trauma.
We will take a thorough history about your presenting complaint (current pain or concern). A physical examination will be performed which will involve some simple movements. These movements are designed to reproduce your familiar pain, reproducing the familiar pain helps us as osteopaths to formulate our diagnosis. Most treatments can be administered whilst remaining in your clothing. If clothing needs to be removed a gown will be supplied.
If further investigation are required, you will either be referred directly for x-ray imaging by your osteopath or referred back to your GP for X-ray ,MRI, Ultrasound and pathology. Osteopaths treat in conjunction with GPs, dentists, podiatrists and other health care specialists.
An initial treatment for a new patient at Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast will take 45 minutes. Treatment times for return patients will be 30 minutes. All treatment are highly individualised and depend on the patient’s current condition, history and ability to adapt to change. Most simple problems often require only 3-5 treatments.
What should I wear to my appointment
At Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast, we provide all of our patients with the option of changing into a fabric gown. However, most treatments can be performed in normal clothing. Or shorts for men and shorts or sports pants and sports bra are ideal for women.
Do I need a referral from a doctor to see an osteopath
No. It is not necessary to have a doctors referral to consult an Osteopath as they are Primary Health Care Providers. However, it is essential for patients with chronic conditions (on a Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan), Department of Veteran Affairs or patients on WorkCover to provide a referral from your doctor.
What do I need to bring to my appointment
Please bring any past x-ray, MRI, CT or ultrasound scans and reports.. To clam private health insurance you will need your health fund card. If you have a referral from your GP please bring the referral letter, medicare card and related documentation with you.
Is osteopathy covered by private health insurance
All Osteopaths at Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast are registered practitioners with the Osteopathic Board of Australia and Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Osteopathy is recognised with most Private Health Insurers and rebates are available under your extras cover. There are different levels of cover depending on how much premium you want to pay and what services you might want. Please note there will be a gap fee which will be the difference between our osteopathic clinic fees and the health fund rebate you receive. If you are unsure whether you are covered for osteopathy, simply check with your health care provider directly.
Can I get a Medicare rebate at Movement Matters Osteopathy Gold Coast?
Osteopathic services are partially covered under Medicare when patients are referred by their GP under the Medicare Chronic Disease Management Plan. For information concerning this Medicare plan please visit this page. You will need a valid referral from your GP, medicare card and EFTPOS debit card. The full consultation fee is charged at the time of the consultation (view fees). The medicare rebate of $58.30 can be processed immediately at the clinic.
Do you treat workers compensation and DVA patients
Yes our Osteopaths are registered providers for workers’ compensation schemes, motor accident insurers and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Please ask our friendly reception staff about referral requirements for these services.
How much is an osteopath appointment?
An initial patient consultation costs $129 for 45 minutes. Return patient appointments are $99 for 30 minutes. For further information about our clinic fees please visit our Clinic Fees Page.
Our Blog
My mission with this blog is to empower you with knowledge and insight that will not only enhance your understanding of the intricate connections within the human body but also guide you towards a balanced and active lifestyle.
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Not sure if osteopathy, exercise rehabilitation or performance coaching is right for you?
Let’s connect for a relaxed, no-obligation 15-minute Discovery Call. This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s a chance for you to share your story and goals, and for me to guide you on whether Gold Coast osteopathy, exercise rehabilitation and performance coaching could be the right next step.
During the call, I’ll:
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Listen to what’s been holding you back — pain, injury, or simply feeling stuck.
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Explain how Osteopathy and my "Movement For Life Program" works to rebuild strength, protect bone and joint health, and improve confidence in movement.
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Give you clarity on your best next step, whether that’s starting with foundation-level rehab or progressing toward higher performance.
This is about helping you make an informed choice and feeling confident about your path forward.
👉 Book your free call now and take the first step toward moving better, feeling stronger, and staying active for life.