Frequently asked questions
If you have a question that isn't covered here, send Max a message — he'll come back to you directly.
Booking & logistics
Q1. Do I need a GP referral to see Max? No referral is required to book a private osteopathy consultation. A GP referral is needed only if you're claiming under a Medicare Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan — up to five rebated allied health sessions per calendar year, eligibility criteria apply. DVA referrals follow a similar pathway. For all other patients, book directly.
Q2. How do I book an appointment? Online via the appointments page — choose your preferred location and the booking widget opens to Max's calendar at that clinic. You can also call the relevant clinic's reception or contact Max directly if you'd prefer to speak with him first.
Q3. What does a consultation cost? Initial consultation $160 (60 minutes). Follow-up $130 (45 minutes). HICAPS is available on the day for private health rebates. See fees & rebates for a detailed breakdown.
Q4. Can I claim on private health insurance? Yes — osteopathy is a recognised allied health benefit under most extras policies. Rebate amounts vary by fund and tier; HICAPS lets you claim instantly on the day, so you only pay the gap. Bring your private health card.
Q5. Can I use Medicare? Medicare rebates apply only under a Chronic Disease Management plan from your GP. Up to five rebated allied health sessions per calendar year. If you think this might apply to you, speak with your GP first.
Q6. Can I use DVA or Work Cover? DVA Gold card holders — and White card holders for accepted conditions — can claim with a valid referral from a GP. Work Cover (NSW SIRA) claims require an active claim number and a referral. Both pathways are accepted across the three clinics — please confirm with reception when booking.
What to expect
Q7. What happens in the first visit? The first appointment is 60 minutes. Max takes a detailed history, performs a clinical examination relevant to your presentation, and discusses what's been found and what comes next. Treatment usually begins on the day if clinically appropriate. Read the full first-visit guide →
Q8. How long is a follow-up appointment? Follow-up consultations are 45 minutes. They typically include a brief review of how you've been since the last session, hands-on treatment, and adjustments to your management plan.
Q9. Will I need to undress? For most musculoskeletal presentations, Max will need to see the relevant area — for example, the lower limb for an Achilles or knee complaint. Patients are usually most comfortable in loose shorts and a t-shirt or singlet. Towels and modesty drapes are provided. You're welcome to ask for a chaperone, or to bring someone with you.
Q10. How many sessions will I need? It depends on the presentation, how long it's been there, and how it responds to early treatment. After the initial assessment, Max will give you an estimate of what a course of care typically looks like for your presentation — and adjust as you progress.
Q11. Will I get hands-on treatment on the first visit? Most initial consultations include hands-on treatment after the history and examination, where clinically appropriate. Some presentations need further imaging or a GP review before treatment begins — Max will let you know if that applies to you.
Clinical questions
Q12. What conditions does Max see most often? Tendinopathy (Achilles, patellar, plantar fasciopathy), running- and cycling-related complaints, persistent low back pain, neck pain and cervicogenic headache, and general musculoskeletal presentations.
Q13. What's the difference between osteopathy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic? All three are recognised allied health professions that work with musculoskeletal presentations. Osteopaths complete at least five years of university-level training, work hands-on with manual therapy across the whole body, and place strong emphasis on assessment and individualised care plans. Max also draws on physiology and exercise prescription where relevant.
Q14. Is osteopathy safe during pregnancy? Osteopathy can be appropriate during pregnancy for musculoskeletal presentations such as pelvic girdle pain and low back pain. Treatment is adapted to the stage of pregnancy and what's comfortable for you, and stays within musculoskeletal scope. If you have any obstetric concerns, discuss them with your GP or obstetrician first.
Q15. Is osteopathy safe for children? Max sees children for musculoskeletal presentations. A parent or guardian is required to attend the appointment, and treatment is always adapted to the child's age, presentation, and comfort. For complex paediatric concerns, Max may refer to a paediatric specialist.
Q16. What is dry needling? Is it like acupuncture? Dry needling uses fine, single-use sterile needles inserted into specific muscle and connective-tissue points to influence pain and tension. It is a Western technique framed around musculoskeletal anatomy and neurophysiology — distinct from acupuncture, which is a traditional Chinese medicine practice based on meridian theory. It's used selectively, where clinically indicated. Read more →
Q17. What is shockwave therapy? Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) delivers focused pressure waves to specific tissues — evidence suggests it may be beneficial for selected tendon and soft-tissue presentations such as chronic plantar fasciopathy. Sessions are typically a few minutes, can feel uncomfortable but not usually painful, and form one part of a broader management plan. Individual responses vary. Read more →
Practical
Q18. Can my consultation be in French? Yes. Max is a native French speaker — consultations are available in fluent English or French. Specify French at booking, or contact directly if you'd like to confirm.
Q19. Which clinic should I book at? All three clinics — Sydney CBD, Bondi Junction, and Leichhardt — offer the same standard of care. Choose the location closest to you, or the one with the next available appointment.
Q20. What if I need to cancel or reschedule? Plans change. You can cancel or reschedule online up to 24 hours before your appointment with no fee. After that, the host clinic's cancellation policy applies — typically full or partial consultation fee. The booking system sends automatic reminders 48 and 24 hours ahead to help you stay on track.
Q21. When would osteopathy NOT be the right fit for me? If you have signs of urgent medical pathology — cauda equina symptoms, suspected fracture, unexplained weight loss, fever with new musculoskeletal pain, progressive neurological deficit — you should be assessed by your GP, ED, or a specialist before (or instead of) osteopathy. Osteopathy is also not the right setting for long-term pain medication management, post-surgical orthopaedic protocols (your surgeon and physio lead those), or paediatric specialist concerns. Max will refer onward where indicated and is happy to communicate with your existing team.
Q22. How do I know if I should see an osteo, a physio, or a chiro? All three are recognised allied health professions that work with musculoskeletal presentations. Practitioner skill within a profession often matters more than the professional title. Osteopaths complete at least five years of university training, work hands-on across the whole body, and emphasise individualised assessment. Physiotherapists are strongest on exercise rehabilitation, post-surgical care, and acute injury management. Chiropractors traditionally focus on spinal manipulation. For tendinopathy, sport, and persistent MSK pain, an osteopath or physio with that clinical interest is usually a good fit — what matters is finding a practitioner who understands the specific presentation and uses an evidence-grounded approach.
Still have questions? Send Max a message →
[BUTTON: Book an appointment → /appointments]
Max Bellaiche · AHPRA OST0004003860 · Master of Osteopathic Medicine
Educational content, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 000.