offerings

I really feel that Osteopathy found me. A chance conversation with an osteopathic student in 1996 lit the flame to the path I continue to follow today. Like meeting an old friend, I felt instantly and warmly embraced by the holistic nature of Osteopathy.

With a philosophy honouring the triad of body, mind and spirit as a single unit of function, and emphasis on our inherent systems of self-regulation and healing, I felt inspired to study and learn, to dig and dream, so I could be of service through Osteopathy.

Osteopathy is my life, and I mean that in a healthy way! It’s not a job to me but a way of life; understanding my connection with the natural world and remembering to rest often, keeps me nourished and inspired. 

It’s a privilege to help people through Osteopathy. When people ask me how long I’ve been an Osteopath my answer is ‘it feels like forever.’ It’s feels so natural to me, I simply can’t remember a time before. 

My love of animals also led me to complete further study in Small Animal Osteopathy. I offer treatments for your furry friends from a special room in the Ballarat clinic, and do home visits in the Daylesford and Hepburn region.

Check out the canine tab for more info.

osteopathy

Throughout life our bodies have to cope with many different stressors, bumps and strains. Maybe we suffer injuries or stress; or overwork, don’t get enough exercise and have a poor diet; maybe we encounter trauma or illness.

The accumulation of these stressors lead to compensations in the body; which eventually overload its ability to self regulate, maintain balance and health; leading to discomfort, pain or dis-ease.

Osteopathy is, a holistic, hands on approach to manual medicine, offering gentle input to assist your body back to self regulation, ease of being and Health. It is suitable for all ages from babies and children to adults and the elderly.

Founded by Dr Still in 1874, it is based on the following principles:

biodynamic cranial osteopathy

“To find Health should be the object of the Doctor, anyone can find disease.” AT Still, father of Osteopathy

The Biodynamic view of Osteopathy recognises the embryological forces, that created the embryo, are also the forces of growth and development and the sustaining restorative forces throughout life.  

Biodynamic Cranial Osteopathy is suitable for all conditions that normally present to Osteopaths and appropriate for all ages. This is an extremely gentle approach, which treats your body as a whole, aiming to restore its natural state of alignment, ease and health.

The patient is usually fully clothed as the practitioner applies their hands gently to different areas of the body to assess the function that is present and the structures or functions that may need assistance back to Wholeness and Health.

With this information, the Osteopath assists the body to a resting place, a point of balance, where the body can integrate change. This supports the body to come to ease, rest and heal. People often comment on feeling very relaxed and peaceful after a treatment.

Melissa’s osteopathic journey has been enriched over the last 20+ years of post-graduate studies in Biodynamic Osteopathy. She loves this approach as it honours each individual’s unfolding at the perfect tempo; the order and priority of treatment being guided by the healing forces already present in the patient’s body; which are always moving towards normal form and function.

She has completed all 9 of the phase courses, including the Treatment of children modules; studying in Switzerland, Germany, New Zealand, the US and Australia. She most recently studied PTSD- an Osteopathic Perspective, and continues to be fascinated and awed by the mystery of life and the healing journey.

 for your canine friends

I love animals and was blessed to grow up with many four legged friends on a dairy farm on the Great Ocean Rd. I have early memories of following my instinct for hands-on therapy, helping rehabilitate calves born with knuckled hooves in order for them to walk, stand and be able to feed. It’s innate for me, to connect and assist other beings to feel well.

Following completion of my Osteopathic degree, my love of animals led me to complete further study in Canine Osteopathy with UK osteopath Dr Stuart McGregor, and I feel privileged to assist animals to live with more balance and ease.

You can book an appointment online or contact me to discuss weekend or HOME VISIT options for pets with special considerations.

Hands on treatment may help with a wide variety of conditions and problems in canines.

Some examples include:

• arthritis relief

• injury, trauma and surgery rehab

• congenital hip and elbow conditions

• intermittent lameness

• maintaining agility in older dogs

• anxiety, epilepsy, bladder incontinence (anecdotally from past clients)

There are many signs, symptoms or signals that could indicate when treatment may benefit your pet.  

• pain or discomfort when patting or brushing

• changes in posture

• low head carriage

• difficulty in getting up from floor

• difficulty jumping into the car

• reluctance to exercise

• lameness

• increased licking to an area of their body

• gait changes or abnormalities

What to expect

Case history - injuries, exercise routine, surgery/illness and general health
Gait analysis - observation of your pet moving
Examination and diagnosis - your pet is examined from the nose to tail and findings are discussed
Treatment - a variety of gentle techniques can be used to restore and improve altered function; providing balance and ease
Advice - home maintenance, exercise and stretching advice may be offered 

Please note- Whilst I am a registered Osteopath, the board does not regulate practise on animals. I have certificate training in canine biomechanical assessment and treatment, I am not a Veterinarian and this treatment does not replace veterinary care. I’m happy to work alongside your pet’s vet and if anything falls outside my scope of practise an appropriate referral will always be made. A vet referral is not necessary for consultation with me.

contact melissa

Phone: 0408443113
Email: melissatheosteo@gmail.com

locations

Dr Melissa Wisbey Osteopath- Ballarat

at Innovation Therapy

115 Smythes Rd, Delacombe 3356

wednesday 11am - 6.30pm

thursday 9.30am - 5pm

Dr Melissa Wisbey Osteopath- Daylesford

at Hale House

24 Raglan St, Daylesford 3460

Tuesday & Thursday 9.30am - 6pm