Who can osteopathy help? The most common complaints for which people consult Osteopaths include:
Osteopathy may also help with:
Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy which employs a hands-on approach to treat pain and dysfunction throughout the entire musculo-skeletal system.
By taking on this “whole body” approach Osteopaths are able to gain a better understanding of a person’s pain and why it is there. In doing this, they aim not only to relieve the current symptoms, but hopefully prevent them from recurring.
Osteopathy is referred to as “wholistic”. This is because it doesn’t just examine the site of pain, but that of the whole body. It therefore looks at other areas of the body which may have an effect, or be affected by, the site of pain. It also looks into the person’s lifestyle, for example work and leisure activities and emotional factors, which may be playing a role in their condition.
Our Osteopaths
All Osteopaths at Melbourne Sports and Spinal Osteopathic Clinics have undergone a five year university degree at one of the three Osteopathic courses around Australia. They are all registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA) and are members of Osteopathy Australia.
What to expect during your treatment:
Your first consultation will take between 45-60 minutes. During this time, your Osteopath will take a thorough medical history and carry out a physical examination. Your Osteopath will assess the soft tissues and joint range of motion and carry out any relevant testing in order to come up with a diagnosis. Your Osteopath will then tailor and carry out a treatment to best suit your needs and provide advice on exercise, ergonomics and lifestyle.
Subsequent Osteopathic consultations will take 30 minutes.
Our Philosophy
The aim of our treatments at MSSOCs is to identify the cause of your pain, treat it accordingly and then give you advice on strategies you can implement in order to prevent the problem from re-occurring. In light of this, we do not believe in un-necessary ongoing treatment. Some conditions may take between one to three treatments to resolve. Other more chronic and complex problems may require longer treatment plans tailored to your specific condition(s) and needs.
Osteopathic techniques used by our practitioners:
The treatments we use at MSSOCs are tailored to suit each individual. Osteopaths have a wide
range of techniques from which they can choose to use in their treatments. These include soft tissue
massage and stretching and joint articulation and gentle manipulation. Dr Stacey Sakulas also offers
Dry needling and Myofascial Cupping.
About Lisa
Dr Lisa Carnell is a true local having grown up in Lower Templestowe and attending school in both
Templestowe and Heidelberg.
Following a 5 year Osteopathic Medicine course, Lisa graduated from Victoria University gaining a
Bachelor of Science (Clinical Science) and a Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy) in 1998.
Upon graduating, Lisa moved to Queensland, where she worked in three successful practices across
Brisbane. Following this she travelled around Europe before moving to Reno, Nevada, USA where she
worked for the Irish spectacular dance show, Spirit of the Dance, as their Osteopath. In 2001 she
moved back to Australia, and after working in numerous practices around Melbourne, Lisa opened
Melbourne Sports and Spinal Osteopathic Clinics in Templestowe in 2002.
From 2001-2007, Lisa also lectured in Osteopathic technique, part time, at Victoria University (VU)
and supervised in the Victoria University Osteopathic Medicine Student Clinic.
About Stacey
Stacey has always had a special interest in the health and medical science fields, so a career in
Osteopathy is her natural calling. Stacey has been working as an Osteopath since 2020, and before
that worked as a VAFA sports trainer while studying her Osteopathy degree. Stacey graduated from
RMIT with a Bachelor of Health Science and Bachelor of Applied Science (Osteopathy) in 2019. Stacey
is fluent in the Greek language.
Stacey’s special interests include treating musculoskeletal issues particularly sports injuries, and
treating TMJ, neck and lower back issues.
In her spare time when she is not working Stacey enjoys going for hikes, spending time with her two
dogs, weight training, following the AFL (Go Carlton!), as well as the ATP/WTA tennis tournaments,
crocheting, and completing puzzles.
Stacey uses her knowledge of Osteopathy, dry needling, myofascial cupping, exercise rehabilitation
and patient education to help and empower her patients to achieve the best outcomes.
About Elly
Elly graduated from RMIT University with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Bachelor of
Applied Science (Osteopathy).
She first learned about Osteopathy because of a basketball injury she had when she was 16,
and was captivated by its individualised and all-encompassing approach to therapy.
Elly has completed her certificate IV in Reformer and Matwork Pilates which is one of her
passions. She believes that Pilates is an excellent addition to any clinical consult, and uses
Pilates in conjunction with hands-on Osteopathic treatment to help patients to thrive and be
pain-free.
Elly believes that compassionate, patient-centered care should focus on the goals and
capabilities of patients. Elly is a structural practitioner and is passionate about treating a wide
range of conditions and in particular sports/training-related injuries.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys practicing Pilates, baking, reading, and gym. She is also an
animal lover, who adores spending time with my two Burmese cats.
About Melissa
Melissa graduated from Victoria University in 2005 after completing a Bachelor of Science (Clinical
Science) and Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy). She has worked in several clinics in Melbourne
including her own clinic, and has worked at RMIT University teaching and examining osteopathic
students. Melissa started at MSSOC in 2009, however she has since relocated overseas with her
family but regularly returns to visit family, friends and to work at MSSOC.
Melissa enjoys treating a variety of conditions and aims to provide individualised care that meets
each patients’ expectations. She has a special interest in treating pregnant and breastfeeding women
and has completed further education in these areas.