Osteopathic Medicine
We will soon have 2 treatment options available at HTO
Book a (firmer) structural Osteo appointment
Dunsborough clinic only
(available soon)
For Back Pain Relief we offer a mechanical anti-gravity method of Osteopathic treatment. This method is specifically designed to directly address the compressive effects of gravity upon the human spine, and to re-educate the body into an elongated form. Therapeutic outcomes are of a physical nature only, with more immediate effect - so you can get back to work or play sooner.
Click HERE for more details about the anti-gravity method. Feel free to also get in touch if you require an Osteopath designed lumbar cushion to manage chronic back pain.
Welcome to Dunsborough Back Pain Relief
The bio-mechanical arm of Healing Tree Osteopathy
Dr. David Bennett has been an Osteopath for the past 26 years, and has a broad range of clinical experience. He has discovered over the years that mechanical (practitioner-directed) treatment methods and spiritually orientated (finding Health and self-healing within) treatment methods are like oil and water, and seldom mix well together.
Since David seeks to meet the unique needs of each person that he sees, he operates 2 entirely different clinics within the same Quindalup (Dunsborough) practice - Healing Tree Osteopathy and Dunsborough Back Pain Relief.
Dunsborough Back Pain Relief utilises a mechanical methodology of treatment, aimed at addressing the immediate symptoms of back pain.
One of the notable things about spinal treatment/manipulation/adjustment, where twisting of the body is involved; there is an exceedingly rare but additional risk of injury - either by tearing a blood vessel within the neck with a possible stroke being the result, or a tearing of a spinal disc within the lower back with a potential loss of leg and/or bladder/bowel function. These have the potential to lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death. Every health care practitioner using such treatment methods will inform you of these potential risks.
Such risks, no matter how small have always been a worry for David. It is for this reason that his treatment methodology involves pure decompression or lengthening of the spine - there are never any twisting movements involved. Of course no effective treatment is ever completely risk free. An effective treatment method will create physical change within a person's body, yet a human body may harbour an underlying condition that a patient may not be aware of, and a practitioner cannot reasonably predict. David seeks to minimise the chance of any such adverse outcome, by using decompression rather than twisting movements, along with an anti-inflammatory protocol before any mechanical treatment is undertaken.
How does treatment work?
Abnormal asymmetry of the spine, either forwards, backwards and sideways is always associated with a shortening of the spine - imagine a curved garden hose that you pull from one end: it straightens and lengthens at the same time. Abnormal side-bending of the spine is also interconnected with rotation - they always occur at the same time. If you use decompression, the spine will reduce in its side-bending and this will naturally de-rotate the spine as well - so reducing the need for twisting manoeuvres.
If you use twisting of the spine during mechanical treatments without address a long-axis compressive component, the spine remains under pressure and will likely to pop out again. Gravity is a challenge that all human bodies face on a daily basis, and associated compression can limit the body's ability to resolve old side-bending and twisting issues.
What to expect
When you make a booking, you will receive an email with a link to an Online Health Survey - this survey must be completed at least the day before your scheduled appointment.
Your treatment is likely take 15-30 minutes (depending on your body's needs on the day). Treatment involves the assessment/treatment of ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, lower back, upper back, chest and neck. When treating acute back pain, it is important to first address the underlying inflammation/irritation, and then the mechanical component (doing so in the reverse order can lead to further inflammation and increasing pain). You can expect a series of 3 treatments over a period of 10 days.
Cost of treatment?
Initial treatment - $100
Follow-up treatment - $80