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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Characteristics of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who treat patients presenting with non-musculoskeletal complaints: outcomes from two practice-based research networks
Chiropractic & manual therapies, Vol.33(1), pp.1-12
23/08/2025
PMID: 40849489
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Background: Australian and New Zealand osteopaths predominantly manage musculoskeletal complaints using a variety of modalities including manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle and occupational advice. There appears to be a small percentage of patients who seek osteopathy care for non-musculoskeletal issues such as conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The evidence base for osteopathic treatment as part of the management of such conditions is equivocal. The aim of this study was to describe the practice of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who report often treating patients with non-musculoskeletal complaints.
Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from the Australian and New Zealand osteopathy practice-based research networks (PBRNs) collected in Australia the PBRN baseline surveys were asked to provide information about their demographic, patient and clinical management characteristics. One of these characteristics was the frequency of treating patients presenting with non-musculoskeletal complaints. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to inform regression modelling of significant predictors of often managing non-musculoskeletal complaints.
Results: Of the 1254 osteopath participants from Australia and NZ, 13.5% (n = 170) reported often treating patients presenting with non-MSK complaints. Significant predictors of often treating patients presenting with non-MSK.
Conclusion More than one in ten Australian and New Zealand osteopaths report often treating patients presenting with non-MSK complaints, with the dominant manual therapy approaches used being visceral techniques and OCF. This study provides a unique insight into the characteristics of osteopaths who often treat patients presenting with non-MSK complaints. Further research is required to examine if patients seek out care from an osteopath specifically
for non-MSK complaints or primarily seek out care from an osteopath for MSK complaints but are managed for nonMSK complaints as a secondary consideration.
Details
- Title
- Characteristics of Australian and New Zealand osteopaths who treat patients presenting with non-musculoskeletal complaints: outcomes from two practice-based research networks
- Creators
- Brett Vaughan - University of Technology SydneyFrancesco Cerritelli - University of Technology SydneyJerry Draper-Rodi - University of Technology SydneyJack Feehan - University of Technology SydneyAna Paula A. Ferreira - University of Technology SydneyMichael Fleischmann - University of Technology SydneyGopi McLeod - University of Technology SydneyCindy McIntyre - University of Technology SydneyChantal Morin - University of Technology SydneyLee Muddle - University of Technology SydneyOliver P. Thomson - University of Technology SydneyLoïc Treffel - University of Technology SydneyNicholas Tripodi - University of Technology SydneyKesava Kovanur Sampath - University of Technology SydneyNiklas Sinderholm Sposato - University of Technology SydneyAmie Steel - University of Technology SydneyJon Adams - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- Chiropractic & manual therapies, Vol.33(1), pp.1-12
- Publisher
- BioMed Central; LONDON
- Grant note
- The Australian osteopathy PBRN was funded by Osteopathy Australia and the New Zealand osteopathy PBRN was funded by Osteopaths New Zealand.
- Identifiers
- 991013310026902368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025
- Academic Unit
- Allied Health and Midwifery; National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article