Wellington Osteopathic Health
Helping you back to health
Our goal is to help our patients achieve a greater sense of overall well-being by reducing discomfort and the effects of injury throughout the entire body.
At Wellington Osteopathic Health, we take great pride in our unwavering commitment to excellence and care.
Our practitioners provide compassionate care to help individuals recover from injury or illness and address underlying issues that may be causing discomfort. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality care in a safe, comfortable environment, so you can feel confident in achieving your health goals.
What to expect on your first visit
Exit the lift on Level 1 and turn left to enter the clinic. Take a seat and relax and your practitioner will come and get you.
If you are a new patient, please take a new patient form from the sideboard and complete it whilst you are waiting.
During your initial consultation your osteopath will take a detailed case history of the presenting complaint. This will also include questions about your general health, daily lifestyle and your medical history. Depending on your complaint, various examinations and tests may be performed to determine an appropriate treatment programme and to help form a diagnosis.
All of our osteopaths and acupuncturists are ACC treatment providers, if you have an injury resulting from an accident, we can make an ACC claim on your behalf.
In some cases greater clarity of your complaint may be required. Referrals for further tests or opinions can be made by your practitioner. Additionally, if we think further imaging is required we can arrange for referrals to Pacific Radiology, Horizon Radiology and Wellington Ultrasound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't see your question here? Feel free to get in touch.
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What’s the difference between an osteopath and a physio?
Both treat musculoskeletal pain, but the approach differs. Osteopaths take a whole-body perspective, focusing on how joints, muscles, and movement patterns interact.
Treatment is typically hands-on, combined with movement and rehabilitation advice. Physiotherapists often focus more on exercise-based rehabilitation.
Many patients find osteopathy helpful when they want a more integrated, hands-on approach.
What’s the difference between an osteopath and a chiropractor?
Osteopaths and chiropractors both treat musculoskeletal pain, but their
approaches differ.
Osteopaths
- Use a wide range of gentle hands-on techniques, including soft-tissue work,
joint mobilisation, stretching, and movement-based treatment - Focus on how the whole body functions together — muscles, joints, posture,
breathing, and movement patterns - Provide exercise and self-management strategies alongside manual therapy
- Typically use low-force, comfortable techniques suitable for all ages
Chiropractors
- Often focus more specifically on the spine
- Commonly use high-velocity adjustments (“cracking”) as their primary
technique - May use X-rays more routinely as part of assessment
Many patients choose osteopathy when they want a gentler, whole-body approach that integrates hands-on treatment with movement and rehabilitation advice.
Where does osteopathy come from?
Osteopathy was founded in the late 1800s by Dr Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician who believed that the body functions as an interconnected system.
He observed that when the body’s structure — muscles, joints, circulation, and movement — works well, health improves.
Modern osteopathy has evolved significantly. Today’s osteopaths are university-trained primary healthcare practitioners who combine hands-on treatment with contemporary medical understanding, pain science, and rehabilitation principles.
In New Zealand, osteopaths are regulated under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act and are ACC-registered.
How long is an osteopathy session?
Appointments are typically 45–60 minutes for an initial consultation and 30 minutes for follow-ups. This allows time for assessment, treatment, and personalised advice.