GV Osteopathic Clinic | Your Consultation

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Your Consultation

What to Expect at Your First Osteopathic Consultation

An initial osteopathic consultation typically involves a comprehensive case history, a clinical examination, and osteopathic treatment where clinically appropriate. Initial consultations generally run for 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the nature and complexity of your presentation.

Your osteopath will ask questions about your current concern, relevant medical history, medications you may be taking, and other information that may assist in forming an appropriate clinical assessment. Some questions may not appear directly related to your presenting complaint but are important in understanding your overall health.

A physical examination and clinical testing relevant to your condition will then be performed. This may involve being asked to perform certain movements and, where necessary, removing some clothing to allow appropriate assessment. You may remain in your underwear, and a gown will always be offered if required. Your comfort and dignity will be respected at all times.

Osteopathy takes a whole-of-body approach, so your osteopath may assess areas beyond the site of your symptoms. For example, if you present with neck pain, your osteopath may also assess your shoulders, ribcage, spine, and pelvic region as part of a broader clinical evaluation.

Management Planning and Consent

Following the examination, your osteopath will discuss their findings with you and outline a management plan tailored to your individual needs and healthcare goals. This may include further osteopathic treatment where appropriate, as well as education, advice, or exercises to support your recovery and self-management between appointments.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the nature, purpose, and expected benefits of any proposed treatment. Treatment will only proceed once informed consent has been obtained. For patients under 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian is required to attend the consultation for this purpose.

Subsequent osteopathic consultations typically run for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the care being provided.

Referrals and Ongoing Care

In some cases, following assessment and discussion, it may be determined that osteopathic treatment is not the most appropriate option for your presentation. If this occurs, your osteopath will discuss suitable alternatives, which may include referral to another healthcare provider or seeking further investigations prior to continuing care.

Privacy and Confidentiality

All information discussed, observed, and recorded during your consultation is treated as confidential and managed in accordance with Australian privacy legislation and professional standards.

On the day

We recommend arriving approximately 10 minutes prior to your appointment to allow time to complete any required new patient forms and settle in before your consultation. Unfortunately late arrival may result in a shortened consultation or the need to reschedule, as we aim to run as close to appointment times as possible for the convenience of all patients.

Please bring along any referrals, relevant medical imaging or reports, a current medication list, details of nutritional supplements, and any other information that may assist your osteopath in your care.

Following your consultation, it may be helpful to allow yourself some time to rest, where practical. While osteopathic treatment is generally gentle, some people may experience temporary mild soreness or fatigue following treatment. This can vary between individuals.

To support your recovery, your osteopath may suggest simple self-care measures such as maintaining hydration, gentle movement, or avoiding strenuous activity for a short period. Where appropriate, guidance will be tailored to your individual presentation.

If you experience symptoms that persist, worsen, or cause concern, or if you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is expected, please contact the clinic for further advice.

My condition has changed

Your symptoms or condition may change or progress over time. If you have any concerns, notice changes in your symptoms, or experience new injuries, please contact us promptly.

Even if changes or new medications do not seem directly related to your current complaint, it is important to let us know so we can update your records and make any necessary adjustments to your care.

Further treatment

Decisions about further treatment are made together with your osteopath following your initial consultation and are based on your individual needs and expectations of care.

Some conditions develop over a long period, so it may take a few appointments before noticeable improvements in mobility or symptom relief occur. In general, the longer a condition has been present, the more gradual these changes may be.

Your osteopath will provide guidance on your likely progress and discuss any updates or adjustments to your management plan as your treatment continues.

Appointment Fee

Payment is required at the time of your consultation for all appointments, except for DVA-covered services.

Please contact the clinic for our current fee schedule. We accept cash, EFTPOS, and credit card payments.

HICAPS

We offer HICAPS for on-the-spot private health insurance claims with participating health funds.

If your policy includes osteopathy and your claim is approved, you will only need to pay the remaining gap fee.

If your claim cannot be processed through HICAPS, full payment will be required and a receipt can be provided for you to claim directly with your health fund.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

Eligible DVA patients with a valid GP referral may have their osteopathic consultations billed directly to DVA, subject to DVA eligibility and referral requirements.

Please let the clinic know that you are a DVA cardholder when booking your appointment.

Workcover and TAC

Our clinic does not bill WorkSafe Victoria (WorkCover) or the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) directly.

Full payment is required at the time of your consultation, regardless of your claim status. A receipt will be provided so you can seek reimbursement from the relevant insurer or funding organisation, where eligible.

Please be aware that reimbursement is subject to your claim eligibility and the applicable funding arrangements. The amount reimbursed may not cover the full consultation fee.

If you have any questions about our fees or payment arrangements, please contact the clinic before your appointment.

Medicare

If you are eligible for Medicare rebates under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP), previously known as Chronic Disease Management (CDM), you may be able to claim a rebate towards your osteopathic consultation with a valid GP referral.

Our consultations are not bulk billed. Full payment is required on the day of your appointment, and you can claim your Medicare rebate at the clinic or use your receipt to claim directly through Medicare.

You will be responsible for the remaining gap fee. Please contact the clinic for current consultation fees, Medicare rebate amounts and out-of-pocket costs.

Cancellations

We understand that sometimes circumstances are unavoidable. To help manage appointments efficiently and allow patients on our waiting list to access available times, the clinic requires at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations. Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in a cancellation fee.

Appointments can be made or cancelled by phone or via our online booking system. If cancelling online, this must be done more than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment using the link in your confirmation or reminder email.

If you need to leave a message, our answering machine is available when phones are unattended. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the clinic directly.