Comprehensive, evidence-based osteopathic care designed to support recovery, movement, and long-term health.
Osteopathy is a holistic, hands-on approach to treating pain, injury, and physical discomfort. Practised for over 100 years, osteopathy focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating the musculoskeletal system to support the body’s natural ability to heal.
At OsteoCares, our osteopaths are registered primary healthcare practitioners who recognise the close relationship between the body’s structure and how it functions.
OsteoCares is an osteopathy clinic in Melbourne that offers Medicare bulk-billed services when a valid GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP) is presented.
Bulk billing allows eligible patients to receive treatment without paying upfront, so you can focus entirely on recovery.
Dry needling is a clinically recognised treatment technique used by osteopaths at OsteoCares to help relieve muscle pain, reduce tension, and improve movement. It involves the use of fine, sterile, single-use needles that are carefully inserted into tight or overactive muscles, commonly referred to as trigger points.
By targeting these areas directly, dry needling assists in reducing muscle tension, improving local circulation, and supporting the body’s natural healing and recovery processes.
Muscle trigger points—often felt as tight knots or tender areas—can contribute to pain, stiffness, weakness, and restricted movement. When a needle is inserted into a trigger point, it may produce a brief muscle twitch response, indicating that the affected muscle has been effectively stimulated.
Following this response, the muscle is able to relax, which can lead to reduced pain, improved flexibility, and enhanced overall movement. Dry needling works by influencing the nervous system and restoring normal muscle function.
Dry needling is generally well tolerated. You may feel a brief pinching sensation as the needle is inserted, followed by a dull ache or twitch as the muscle responds.
Depending on your condition, needles may be:
Mild soreness, tenderness, or fatigue in the treated area is common
after treatment and usually settles within 24–48 hours.
Whether you participate in recreational sport or compete at an elite level,
OsteoCares provides professional osteopathic care to support the management,
rehabilitation, and prevention of sports-related injuries. Our osteopaths
understand the physical demands placed on the body during sport and exercise
and focus on helping you move safely, efficiently, and with confidence.
We support athletes of all levels by combining targeted injury management
with strategies designed to reduce the risk of future injury and optimise
performance.
At OsteoCares, treatment extends beyond the site of pain or injury. We assess
your overall biomechanics and movement patterns to identify contributing
factors that may affect performance or increase injury risk.
Restrictions in joint mobility, muscle flexibility, strength, or movement
control can place additional stress on tissues and often contribute to injury
if left unaddressed. By identifying these factors early, we aim to treat the
underlying cause rather than focusing solely on symptoms.
Our osteopaths use hands-on manual therapy alongside evidence-based
rehabilitation programs to support recovery and enhance performance.
Treatment may focus on:
Early assessment and targeted intervention play an important role in injury
prevention. Improving joint function and muscle balance can help reduce
strain, improve efficiency, and support long-term performance.
If an injury does occur, your osteopath at OsteoCares will guide you through
a structured and progressive recovery plan. Our goals are to reduce pain,
support tissue healing, minimise scar tissue restrictions, and prevent
compensatory movement patterns that may delay recovery or increase the risk
of re-injury.
We aim to help you return to sport safely, confidently, and at the
appropriate level for your condition.
Whether you train recreationally or compete at a high level, OsteoCares is
committed to supporting your recovery and helping you perform at your best.
Therapeutic taping is a practical and effective technique used by
osteopaths at OsteoCares to support joints, reduce pain, and assist
in injury prevention. Taping is commonly incorporated into a
personalised treatment and rehabilitation plan to enhance recovery,
improve joint stability, and support long-term movement and function.
Therapeutic taping can be beneficial for both acute injuries, such as
ankle sprains, and longer-term or overuse conditions. Key benefits include:
Taping can help reduce pain by decreasing strain on injured or
overloaded tissues and providing external joint support. This may
also assist in reducing swelling and improving comfort during daily
activities or rehabilitation exercises.
When applied correctly, taping provides targeted support while still
allowing functional movement. Your osteopath will determine the
appropriate level of support needed to promote stability without
restricting mobility or performance.
By helping control excessive or abnormal joint movement, taping can
reduce the risk of ligament and muscle strain. It also enhances
proprioception, improving your body’s awareness of joint position
during physical activity.
Therapeutic taping can also be used as a postural cue to encourage
improved movement patterns during sitting, standing, or repetitive
tasks. This may help reduce ongoing strain and discomfort over time.
Therapeutic taping is frequently used in sports such as AFL, netball,
basketball, tennis, and soccer. It can also be applied in everyday
settings for postural support, joint protection, and injury prevention.
At OsteoCares, taping is integrated into a broader treatment approach
that may include manual therapy, exercise prescription, and movement
education—supporting safe recovery and helping you remain active with
confidence.
TAC appointments at OsteoCares are bulk billed for patients with an accepted
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) claim. TAC-funded treatment applies to
individuals who have sustained injuries as a result of a transport accident.
If your TAC claim has been approved, the cost of your osteopathy consultations
is typically covered in full, meaning you may have no out-of-pocket expenses
for your care.
At OsteoCares, we regularly treat TAC patients and provide support throughout
the recovery process. Our osteopaths deliver evidence-based osteopathic care
while assisting you with claim-related requirements so you can focus on your
recovery.
For most patients with a current and accepted TAC claim, osteopathy treatment
is fully funded by TAC for the first 90 days following the accident.
Coverage may vary depending on your claim status and individual circumstances.
Our experienced team will assist with all required documentation and
communication with TAC to help ensure your treatment is appropriately funded.
At OsteoCares, we provide bulk-billed osteopathic care for eligible
WorkCover patients. Our goal is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based
treatment for workplace injuries while minimising financial stress,
allowing you to focus fully on your recovery and return to work.
For approved WorkCover claims, osteopathy consultations are typically
covered in full, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs for your
treatment. Our experienced team assists with all required paperwork
and communication to ensure the process is smooth and stress-free.
If your WorkCover claim has not yet allocated sessions for osteopathic
treatment, initial appointments may incur a fee. Our staff will clearly
explain your coverage, confirm eligibility, and guide you through your
options before treatment begins.
At OsteoCares, we are committed to making workplace injury recovery
simple, accessible, and effective with bulk-billed osteopathic care
tailored to your individual needs.
Sports Injury Treatment
Common Sports Injuries We Treat
A Movement-Focused Assessment
Evidence-Based Treatment and Rehabilitation
Supporting a Safe Return to Sport
Therapeutic Taping
Why Use Therapeutic Taping?
Pain Reduction
Improved Joint Stability
Injury Prevention and Re-Injury Reduction
Posture and Movement Awareness
Common Uses in Sport and Everyday Activities
TAC Appointments
Supporting TAC Patients
Appointment Costs and Coverage
WorkCover
How Bulk Billing Works
Important Information
