Osteopathy
practitioner > Thanuja Rebera
Sri Lankan born Osteopath, Thanuja Vanderhoek undertook her Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Osteopathy degrees in Sydney, Australia. Thanuja has always had a passion for treating women’s health conditions and children, performing her Master’s research on the treatment of period pain using Osteopathy. With the recent birth of her beautiful baby girl this passion has greatly intensified!
“I love treating children and babies; it is an amazing feeling to make a difference not only to the child but to the whole family” Thanuja Vanderhoek
Thanuja's ultimate dream is to give back to her home land. Therefore she has the long term ambition of setting up a clinic in Sri Lanka to allow children to enjoy the benefits of Osteopathic treatment for free.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a system of health care that focuses on the treatment of the physical body, the joints, muscles and connective tissue with gentle hands on manipulation incorporating such techniques as soft tissue massage, stretching, spinal manipulation, balance ligamentous tension, cranial osteopathy and exercises to improve the body’s functional capacity and self healing properties.
What is Cranial Osteopathy?
Cranial Osteopathy is a very gentle yet powerful form of treatment. Osteopaths who specialize in the cranial field are specially trained to feel minuet movements that occur between cranial bones (skull bones). Cranial Osteopaths can detect restrictions in the movement of the cranial bones and mal-alignment of the bones which then causes restrictions of other structures such as cranial nerves, membranes, ligaments and cerebrospinal fluid flow causing various conditions such as headaches and migraines, hearing difficulties, tinnitus and ear infections to name a few. Cranial Osteopaths use very gentle movements (the force of moving a five cent coin with your little finger) to free the cranial bones and structures that surround them.
About our Osteopaths
All our Osteopaths are highly educated and trained. Our Osteopaths encompass either double Bachelor degrees or a Bachelor and Masters degree. They are all registered Australian Osteopaths and members of the Australian Osteopathic Association. Most of our osteopaths have national and international postgraduate training and specialized training in Osteopathy in the cranial field through the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation. They also can prescribe medical orthotics with their training through the International College of Biomechanics.
What are the most common complaints we see at our centre?
The most common complaints for which patients consult our Osteopaths include:
- back and neck pain
- sciatica
- headaches and migraines
- pains in peripheral joints such as shoulders, knees and ankles
- tendinitis and muscle strains
- work-related injuries
- repetitive strain injuries
- sports-related injuries
Other conditions for which osteopaths can play a significant role in reducing the severity of symptoms include:
- asthma
- gynaecological dysfunction
- arthritic conditions
- chronic fatigue
What techniques do Osteopaths use?
Our techniques range from direct techniques such as spinal manipulation, muscle energy and soft tissue techniques and stretches; to more gentle indirect techniques such as cranial and balance ligamentous tension. Osteopaths also prescribe rehabilitation exercises to sustain a good level of health.
Do I need a referral to see an Osteopath?
No. It is not necessary to have a Doctors referral to consult an Osteopath. Osteopaths are primary care practitioners and are trained to recognize conditions which require medical referral.
Osteopathy and Pregnancy
“Osteopathic treatment techniques are extremely safe and gentle and are carefully selected for each individual during pregnancy”
Osteopathy is extremely helpful during the course of pregnancy. During pregnancy, a woman’s body must adapt to the gradual increase in her weight and shift of her centre of gravity as well as make room for the baby as it grows. With these changes Osteopaths not only provide manual treatment for good body alignment but they can give you exercises and techniques to help during each trimester of your pregnancy.
Common conditions treated by an Osteopath during pregnancy:
- back pain
- pubic pain
- leg pain
- indigestion and reflux
- coccyx pain
- sciatica
- positioning of the baby
- pelvic floor conditioning
- positions for labour and birth
- breathing exercises
Cranial Osteopathy for Babies
During the birth process the baby is subject to enormous forces, as the uterus pushes to expel the baby against the natural resistance of the birth canal. The baby has to twist and turn as it squeezes through the bony pelvis, absorbing these stresses within its head and body.
Birth trauma may cause the following problems:
- Crying and Irritability
- Feeding difficulties
- Colic, Wind and Reflux
- Sleep disturbances
- Projectile vomiting
- skull molding from forceps or ventouse deliveries
- breastfeeding difficulties eg preference to one breast, suckling problems
- flat head
- club foot (talipes)
Infantile problems resulting from birth trauma:
- Infections
- Ear Infections
- Hearing problems
- Sinus and Dental problems
- Behavioral and Learning difficulties
- Headaches, aches and pains
- Asthma
Cranial Osteopathy is very gentle, safe and effective in the treatment of birth trauma. Specific gentle pressure is applied where necessary to enable the baby’s head and body to release the stresses held from the birth process.
Osteopathy – A tune and balance for your body!
As your car needs regular maintenance so does your body! If you have a bad wheel alignment in your car, the tyres tend to wear on one side as opposed to the other. This concept carries onto your body! If your body is out of alignment you are creating wear and tear of your joints, ligaments and placing excessive strain on certain connective tissue and organs leading to poor posture and such conditions as headaches, neck pain, sciatica and back pain to name a few; and also to more long term conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Our Osteopaths believe that prevention is better than cure! So make sure you get a regular “tune and balance” for your body by getting an Osteopathic treatment every month.
