Osteopathy runs in the family

Zac Hakes, of Ballina, always knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an osteopath. Now enrolled in Southern Cross University’s new Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathy) degree, Zac is living his dream.

“I am delighted that I can follow in my dad, Alan’s footsteps while living locally, as the only other place in Australia where an accredited osteopathy course is available is in Melbourne,” said Zac.

Paul Orrock, senior lecturer, osteopath, and pathway leader of the osteopathic program said the University had recently gained conditional accreditation for its osteopathic program and that it has become the only university outside of Melbourne to offer training in this exciting field of holistic medicine.

“The training involves completing a double major in the new Bachelor of Clinical Sciences, and then progressing to a two-year Masters degree in Osteopathic Medicine,” he said.

Enrolments are still open to undertake this course and Mr Orrock advises that students can enrol in the Clinical Sciences program and choose other majors as well, including Complementary Medicine, Psychology, and Human Structure and Function, if they do not choose the osteopathic pathway. It is anticipated that other opportunities will evolve for students if they enter this program area.

People can still apply for entry during February via QTAC www.qtac.edu.au
and/or UAC www.uac.edu.au and can also get assistance from student services at Southern Cross University by phoning 1800 626 481 or through the website www.scu.edu.au/courses or questions can be emailed to enquiry@scu.edu.au.

Mr Orrock said osteopathy was a holistic system of diagnosis and manual therapy used to treat musculo-skeletal problems and other functional disorders of the body. In Australia, osteopaths are registered primary care practitioners and are members of the allied health grouping under the Medicare program, demonstrating the acceptance of osteopathic medicine into mainstream health provision.

“There is an undersupply of osteopaths in Australasia,” Mr Orrock said. “The peak professional body, the Australian Osteopathic Association, is seeking to increase the number of graduate osteopaths in order to meet community demand.

“Osteopathic providers in Australia often have to fill vacancies for practitioners from overseas, as there are only a small number of Australian graduates available. Approximately 80 percent of osteopaths in Australia practice in the Sydney and Melbourne metropolitan areas and rural Victoria, leaving all other states and rural NSW with a substantial shortage.

“There is no current Australian osteopathic training outside of Melbourne, and the existing practitioners outside of Victoria are requiring associates and practitioners to replace them as they retire. Osteopathy is a profession in which there is a national skill shortage with the most critical geographical shortages existing in outer metropolitan and rural areas. Osteopathic services are recognised under all private health insurance schemes and have been added to Medicare under the Enhanced Primary Care scheme.”

Mr Orrock said there was a general shortage of all allied health providers in Australia, to the extent that the Federal Government offers student scholarships for professional training (including osteopathy) under the Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health scheme; see www.sarrah.org.au/

For osteopathy student Zac Hakes, beginning the second year of his course, the new degree has been an exciting challenge.

“I really love it,” he said. “I had already studied and been working in the area of deep tissue and remedial massage, but unfortunately, correcting ailments of a muscular nature, in most cases, is but one aspect of their overall presentation. Spinal manipulation is often required to fix the problem. I’ve always enjoyed helping people, and this area of study is the next step to improve upon my skill set.

“It has been great working with my father and learning from his vast experience and having someone to bounce ideas and techniques off.”

Photo: Southern Cross University osteopathy student Zac Hakes enjoys an osteopathic treatment from his father, Alan. (High res picture available on request.)