Therapies at Southside Clinic

Osteopathic Treatment Techniques

At Southside Clinic, our practitioners use a range of hands-on techniques to support your body’s natural healing, relieve pain, and improve function. Each treatment is tailored to your individual needs and may include:

Soft Tissue Techniques

Massage-style techniques to ease muscle tension, reduce tightness, and improve circulation.

Joint Mobilisation

Gentle, rhythmic movements to reduce stiffness and restore mobility in joints.

High-Velocity Low-Amplitude (HVLA) Thrusts

A quick, precise technique used to improve joint movement. You might hear a small “click” sound — it’s painless and only used when appropriate (and with your consent).

Muscle Energy Technique (MET)

Involves gently resisting a movement guided to help lengthen tight muscles and restore balance.

Myofascial/Fascial Release

Targets the fascia (connective tissue around muscles and organs) to release restrictions and improve mobility.

Cranial Osteopathy / Craniosacral Therapy

A subtle, deeply relaxing technique often used for babies, children, and adults with chronic pain or nervous system sensitivity.

Strain-Counterstrain

Positions the body to release tension and ease discomfort in a gentle, non-invasive way.

Functional Techniques

Follows your body’s natural movement patterns to gently restore motion without force.

Dry Needling

A modern technique using very fine needles to release tight muscles (trigger points), improve blood flow, and relieve pain. Often used alongside other hands-on techniques. This is not the same as acupuncture, but can be highly effective for musculoskeletal conditions.

Exercise Prescription & Rehabilitation

Your practitioner may provide personalised exercises to help strengthen weak areas, improve mobility, and prevent future injury. This might include stretches, posture tips, or rehab plans — all designed to support your progress between sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect when I visit an osteopath?

During your first consultation, your Osteopath will ask questions and conduct a full osteopathic and orthopaedic examination. You will normally be asked to remove some of your outer layers of clothing, depending on the area of your body requiring treatment. Following osteopathic treatment, your Osteopath may need additional investigations such as x-ray, scans or blood tests. This will allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed for you. If needed, your Osteopath may refer you on to another health professional.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

Many patients are referred to Osteopaths by their Doctor, other health practitioners or personal trainers. However, as Osteopaths are primary practitioners, you can make an appointment without a referral.

Under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program, many clients with chronic conditions can have up to 5 treatments per year partly covered by Medicare. In these cases, you will need a referral from your GP.

How long will my treatment take?

Your initial consultation may last up to one hour because it includes a thorough case history and examination as well as treatment. Follow-up treatments are usually a little shorter. Depending on your condition, they can take up to 30-45 minutes.

What do I need to bring?

Your Osteopath will ask to see any X-rays, scans or test results that you may have. Your Osteopath may ask you to undress to your underwear depending on the area of your body requiring treatment. Therefore you may want to wear loose pants or bring a pair of shorts if this would make you more comfortable. We do have shorts available onsite also if you require them.

If you have any further questions about the osteopathy service provided at Southside Clinic, please call us on 1300 10 11 22

Physiotherapy

“Physiotherapy is a highly respected evidence-based healthcare profession. Physiotherapists use advanced tchniques and evidence based care to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent a wide range of health conditions and movement disorders. Physiotherapy helps repair damage, reduce stiffness and pain, increase mobility and improve quality of life.” - Australian Physiotherapy Association

Physiotherapists are trained to assess your condition, diagnose the problem, and help you understand what’s wrong. Your treatment plan will take into account your lifestyle, activities and general health. Physiotherapists can assist with rehabilitation following acute trauma/injury, sports injuries, chronic injuries, occupational overuse, motor vehicle accidents as well as pre or post orthopaedic surgery.

Following an initial examination your physiotherapist will work with you to create a personalised treatment plan to address your goals and suggest long term management strategies for the future.

Physiotherapists are primary healthcare practitioners and are trained to recognise conditions that require medical referral. They are also trained to perform standard examinations of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems.

Physiotherapy is covered by most private health funds and by Medicare’s Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans. Physiotherapists are registered providers for NDIS, Home Care Packages, ReturnToWorkSA and motor vehicle accident insurers (MVA).

Physiotherapists commonly see people for the following conditions:

• Generalised aches and pain

• Minor sports injuries and tensions

• Joint pains including hip and knee pain from osteoarthritis as an adjunct to core OA treatments and exercise

• Arthritic pain

• Pre and post-natal care

• Cramps

• Sciatica

• General, acute & chronic backache, back pain

• Headache arising from the neck (cervicogenic) / migraine prevention

• Women’s health

• Frozen shoulder/ shoulder and elbow pain/ tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) arising from associated musculoskeletal conditions of the back and neck

• Circulatory problems

• Lumbago

• Muscle spasms

• Neuralgia

• Inability to relax

• Rheumatic pain

• Uncomplicated mechanical neck pain

Physiotherapy Treatment Techniques

At Southside Clinic, our practitioners use a wide range of evidence-based techniques to support healing, reduce pain, and restore movement. Below is an overview of the treatments available:

Cranio Sacral Technique

Using small, gentle movements with the practitioner’s hands on the head, trunk, pelvis, or limbs to promote healing.
Vivienne Jachmann is our only Physiotherapist who offers Cranio Sacral Technique. Some of our Osteopaths also provide this treatment.

Cupping

Cupping therapy has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years to treat muscle aches, pains, tightness, sprains, and soft tissue injuries.
At Southside Clinic, we use silicone cups placed on the body to gently draw the skin and superficial muscles upwards, helping improve blood circulation, loosen adhesions, and restore blood flow to restricted areas. Offered by Physiotherapist Dianne Colquhoun

Exercise Prescription

An individualised plan of activity designed by our practitioners to support recovery, improve movement, and enhance overall well-being.

Fascial Release / Myofascial Release

Gentle movements are used to release tension in the connective tissues of the body.

Joint Mobilisation

Moving a joint within its range of motion to reduce restrictions and restore mobility.

Muscle Energy Technique

Using gentle muscle contractions around a specific joint to improve mobility or stretch a muscle.

Soft Tissue Mobilisation (Massage)

Applying gentle pressure to the soft tissues of the body to release tension and stretch the affected area.

Taping

Rigid tape is applied to injured areas to reduce movement, protect from further injury, and support healing. It is often used on joints such as ankles, knees, and shoulders.

Kinesiology tape allows movement while providing support. It stimulates the muscles’ sensory system, reduces swelling, improves lymphatic flow, and assists recovery.

Trigger Point Dry Needling

Using fine acupuncture needles to release tight trigger points in muscles, reducing pain and restoring function.

Visceral Manipulation

Gentle hands-on techniques to release connective tissue (fascia) tension around the body’s internal organs.
Vivienne Jachmann is our only Physiotherapist offering Visceral Manipulation. Some of our Osteopaths also provide this treatment.

Each practitioner may use different techniques depending on your needs. At your appointment, your therapist will discuss which approaches are most suitable for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect when I visit a physiotherapist?

During your first consultation, your Physiotherapist will ask questions and conduct a full examination. You will normally be asked to remove some of your outer layers of clothing, depending on the area of your body requiring treatment. Following treatment, your Physiotherapist may need additional investigations such as x-rays or scans. This will allow a full diagnosis and suitable treatment plan to be developed for you. If needed, your Physiotherapist may refer you on to another health professional.

Do I need a referral from my GP?

Many patients are referred to Physiotherapists by their Doctor, other health practitioners or personal trainers. However, as Physiotherapists are primary practitioners, so you can make an appointment without a referral.

Under the Chronic Disease Management (CDM) program, many clients with chronic conditions can have up to 5 treatments per year partly covered by Medicare. In these cases, you will need a referral from your GP.

How long will my treatment take?

Your initial consultation may last up to one hour because it includes a thorough case history and examination as well as treatment. Follow-up treatments are usually a little shorter. Depending on your condition, they can take up to 30-45 minutes.

What do I need to bring?

Your physiotherapist might ask to see any X-rays, scans or test results that you may have. Your physiotherapist may ask you to undress to your underwear depending on the area of your body requiring treatment. Therefore you may want to wear loose pants or bring a pair of shorts if this would make you more comfortable. We do have shorts available at the clinic that you can use if need be.

If you have any further questions about physiotherapy at Southside Clinic, please call us on 1300 10 11 22

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring normal function of the body, primarily through joint manipulation techniques—especially spinal mobilisation and manipulation. By improving joint mobility, chiropractic can help reduce pain, improve movement, and support the body’s natural ability to heal.

Where chiropractors differ is in how they use these techniques. Some may rely solely on joint manipulation, while others combine it with additional therapies for more holistic results.

At Southside Clinic, Dr Natasha Down (Chiropractor) believes that chiropractic care works best when integrated with other modalities. While joint manipulation is a powerful tool, she finds the greatest benefits when it is combined with:

• Soft tissue massage – to release tension and support mobility

• Therapeutic exercise – to aid recovery and improve strength

• Rehabilitation techniques – to help prevent recurrence and build resilience

Natasha describes her style as similar to that of an osteopath—sharing a holistic philosophy of care—but with a chiropractic qualification.

How Chiropractic Can Help

Chiropractic care may assist with:

• Back and neck pain

• Headaches and migraines

• Joint stiffness and reduced mobility

• Postural imbalances

• Sports and occupational injuries

• General musculoskeletal discomfort

What to Expect at Your Appointment

Comprehensive Assessment

Natasha will take a full health history, discuss your symptoms and goals, and perform physical assessments to understand the root of your concerns.

Personalised Treatment Plan

This may include joint manipulation/mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, exercise prescription, or rehabilitation strategies

Ongoing Support

Treatment is tailored to your progress, with a focus on not just relieving pain but improving long-term function and wellbeing.

If you have any further questions about chiropractic treatment and care at Southside Clinic, please call us on 1300 10 11 22

If you have any further questions about exercise physiology at Southside Clinic, please call us on 1300 10 11 22