If you’re looking for a holistic, drug-free approach to healthcare, you’ll definitely want to consider seeing an osteopath in Singapore. Aside from treating sports injuries, back problems and stiff necks, osteopathy can help with a whole range of conditions including TMJ pain, headaches, arthritis pain, digestive issues, reflux, pregnancy aches and pains, colic in babies and more. Here, we talk to some of the top osteopathic clinics in Singapore about what they do, and the benefits of osteopathy.
AMO Clinic
This osteopathic clinic in Singapore specialises in women’ health and children. In fact, the Tanglin-based practice is Singapore’s first specialist osteopathy clinic dedicated to women and children’s care. The professional team of osteopaths, made up of Ana Mackay, Philippe Raoux and Sara Bailes, use gentle articulation, manipulation, stretching and soft tissue massage techniques to treat women and children.
“Osteopathy is focused on the musculoskeletal system but confers benefits to the circulatory, nervous and endocrine systems too,” they say. “This means it can help improve sleep, stress, digestion and fertility.”
In addition to pregnancy and postpartum support, AMO Clinic provides perimenopause and menopause support for woman, and works with a number of breast cancer patients. Female patients also commonly come in for postural problems, headaches and migraines, lower back, mid-back and neck pain, sciatica, pelvic girdle pain and conditions such as endometriosis, sub-fertility, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
Some of the most common paediatric conditions they treat include:
- Tongue and lip tie
- colic
- reflux
- plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome)
- torticollis (tightness in the neck)
- hip dysplasia
- talipes (in turned ankles)
- sinusitis
- ear infection
- asthma
- digestive complaints
- Patellofemoral syndrome (kneecap pain)
- Osgood-Schlatter’s (a condition that causes pain and swelling below the knee joint).
“Of course, when looking for an osteopath to treat your newborn or child, it’s important to look for a registered osteopath with years of experience in the field,” says Ana Mackay.
What to expect from this osteopathic clinic in Singapore
“You can expect a lot of care taken in the medical cases history, examination and hands-on therapy. We’re invested in you and are not here to sell you a package,” says the osteopathy team at AMO Clinic.
Each session in-clinic is 30 minutes ($150), but AMO Clinic also offers home visits for infants ($300).
Here’s what each of the osteopaths at AMO Clinic love most about practising osteopathy
- “Solving long-term neck and back pain issues” – Sara Bailes
- “Being a catalyst for beneficial physical and psychological change” – Philippe Raoux
- “Seeing babies everyday…all day!” – Ana Mackay
318 Tanglin Road, #01-65
8660 0251 | amoclinic.sg
The Osteopathic Centre
This osteopathic clinic in Singapore is celebrating its 15th year in healthcare this year. With three locations across the island (CBD, East Coast, River Valley), its founder and osteopath Dr Paul Bell (D.Health), along with his team of osteopaths, Gregory Durand and Iqra Kazee, have been helping individuals to improve their quality of life and their sense of wellbeing with a range of techniques. These include cranial, visceral, paediatric and pre- and postnatal osteopathy, biomechanical assessments, stress management, ergonomic assessments, nutritional advice, dry needling, exercise prescription, and pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation.
During your initial consultation, a full medical history is taken, followed by a physical assessment and some functional movement tests to make a diagnosis. This diagnosis is discussed with you, along with a treatment plan.
Hear from founder and osteopath Dr Paul Bell, who has a professional doctorate in health, and over 24 years of experience in pain and injury treatment:
“Often, the assumption is that osteopaths only treat bones. In fact, we treat the whole body and consider other factors that may be affecting daily life. It’s important to recognise that pain and injury may have many causes; lifestyle and emotional factors can play an important role in the ability to manage and improve symptoms. Our aim is, therefore, not only to address biomechanical, postural and musculoskeletal issues, but also to help identify these other factors that can be addressed to reduce pain and increase function. In addition, we provide coping strategies to help deal with the effects that physical and psychological stress have on the body.”
CBD, East Coast, River Valley
6221 4064 | theosteo.com.sg
Edge Healthcare
This progressive, evidence-based osteopathic clinic in Singapore has two locations. There’s one in the CBD (#06-02, Cecil Street) and one on Orchard (#11-01 The Forum, 583 Orchard Road).
Edge Healthcare’s trained therapists are dedicated to providing personalised care to patients looking to lead pain-free lives. The clinic’s wide range of services include cranial, visceral, pre- and postnatal, and paediatric osteopathy, as well as physiotherapy, naturopathic medicine, functional movement assessments, dry needling, and pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation. So, whether you’re having problems with dizziness or experiencing pelvic floor dysfunctions, these guys have got you covered!
As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Edge Healthcare team works closely with other medical and health professionals. This includes general practitioners, sports physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists, personal trainers and sports coaches to help achieve the best results for their clients.
Hear from osteopath Lorène Dawance of Edge Healthcare’s CBD-based clinic:
“I’ve always wanted to do something where I helped people. I was convinced by osteopathy after seeing an osteopath for headaches myself. I loved how hands-on it is, and how the treatment was very personal and tailored to me. Being able to improve someone’s quality of life – which most of us take for granted – can be so impactful. People can be so grateful and appreciative even for the smallest things when they’re not feeling their best. And the job is never boring! Working with different people, personalities and conditions keeps you on your toes and thinking outside the box. Of course, being able to chat to lovely people is a plus and makes the day to day very enjoyable.”
Cecil Street and Orchard Road
6222 4766 | edgehealthcare.com.sg
Back in Health Osteopathy
Back in Health is a multi-disciplinary clinic offering highly customised patient care through its wide range of services for children and adults. In fact, all services are incorporated into a single treatment price, without any additional costs.
With over 15 years of collective clinical experience and a commitment to continual research, osteopaths Dr Jon Marshall and Dr Johanna Cheong are particularly passionate about treating back and spinal pain, scoliosis (Schroth method), headaches, migraines, sports injuries and paediatric conditions.
Apart from osteopathy, the team is qualified to provide treatment techniques including dry needling, cupping, shockwave therapy, LED light therapy, clinical Pilates, strength and conditioning, corrective exercise, lifestyle advice, ergonomic modifications, and stress release strategies.
Hear from osteopath, Dr Johanna Cheong:
“At Back in Health, we acknowledge that there are many variables in each patient’s case that requires individually customised care, not a cookie-cutter approach. With a genuine passion for helping people get the most out of their bodies without the need for drugs or surgery, we have armed ourselves with a multitude of techniques and services to achieve the best outcome for every patient. The human body has an innate capacity for self-regulation and health. We are simply removing the obstacles and setting in motion the body’s natural healing process, so the body gets stronger and healthier on its own. The most rewarding part of this job is physically being able to see improvement to patients’ health and fitness.”
Back in Health operates across two osteopathic clinics in Singapore: the CBD (160 Robinson Road, #03-07 SBF Medical Suites) and East Coast (217 East Coast Road, #05-02 Tides Building).
9006 8375 | backinhealth.com.sg
Singapore Headache & Migraine Clinic
Singapore Headache & Migraine Clinic, one of Back in Health’s osteopathic clinics in Singapore, offering migraine and headache sufferers a holistic alternative to the long-term use of painkillers, or surgery.
Hear from osteopath Dr Jon Marshall:
“Osteopathy is an effective option for chronic headache and migraine sufferers who are conscious about their long-term health, and therefore reluctant to continue their reliance on pharmaceuticals for relief indefinitely. Recent research suggests that around 80 precent of headaches and migraines may originate from the upper cervical spine. Osteopathy addresses the musculoskeletal imbalances of these spinal segments and targets the source directly, as opposed to masking the symptoms. Sufferers can therefore get effective ongoing relief, be less reliant on medication and avoid drastic surgeries. It’s rewarding to see the burden of a debilitating condition lift and allow patients to go about their lives pain-free. It really restores their quality of life.”
CBD and East Coast
9006 8375 | sgheadachemigraine.com
Osteopathic Treatment Centre
Osteopathic Treatment Centre (OTC) is an osteopathic clinic in Singapore founded by renowned osteopath Dr David Tio. As the third-generation osteopath from the founder of osteopathy, Dr A.T. Still, Dr Tio studied yoga and nature care in India, and got his diploma in osteopathy at the European School of Osteopathy (1978-1982) in England, before returning to Singapore to found the Osteopathic Treatment Centre in 1984. He was also an examiner and clinical supervisor for RMIT Australia and did his masters degree in Musculo-Skeletal Management.
For four decades now, Dr Tio has brought together a multi-faceted team to provide a very extensive range of natural, drug-free treatment modalities. They treat everything from body aches and pains, foot problems, common ailments and chronic degenerative diseases to behavioural and developmental problems in children, addiction and depression, among other conditions.
Now located at Orchard Towers, Osteopathic Treatment Centre offers a wide range of servicing including osteopathy and cranial osteopathy, therapeutic massage, applied kinesiology, chiropody and podiatry, hypnotherapy, energy healing, ayurveda, rolfing, naturopathy, clinical nutrition and more.
Hear from Dr Tio:
“The key philosophy of osteopathy is that all parts of the body are interconnected and that the body can properly heal itself only when every part of the body’s system functions together in an integrated manner. An osteopath will not want to simply ease a specific problem, such as a pain in the neck. The osteopath will also want to know what is causing that pain. It could be anything from physical injury to mental anxiety.”
#09-01 Orchard Towers,
400 Orchard Road
6734 6440 | osteopathy.com.sg
Next Health & Fitness
Next Health & Fitness takes a holistic approach to helping patients live pain-free lives by considering the entire body and how its different systems are interconnected. In addition to osteopathy services, the clinic offers complementary treatments such as sports massage, rehabilitation exercises, dry needling, and electrotherapy.
The clinic’s founder and principal osteopath SEBASTIEN BODET is a former Olympic swimmer who understands firsthand the personal needs and requirements of returning to training and competition following an injury. He is passionate about helping patients restore fitness and function so that they can continue with the activities they enjoy. Specialiseing in sports injuries, rehabilitation exercises, pain and lifestyle management, he tailors his treatment methods to each patient for the most effective results.
What to expect from osteopathic treatment
Osteopathic treatment begins with a medical history review and physical exam to assess the patient’s posture, mobility and range of motion. Based on the evaluation and treatment goals, the osteopath develops a personalized treatment plan that may include mobility and strengthening exercises, stretches, and lifestyle modifications.
Regular sessions, usually lasting 45 minutes, may be required for the best results, according to Sebastien. The osteopath will use manual techniques such as active release technique (ART), massages, soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization (HVLA), visceral manipulation, and craniosacral therapy to reduce tension and restore proper function.
The benefits of osteopathy
Sebastien believes that osteopathy can help improve overall health and well-being by addressing underlying imbalances or dysfunctions. Among the key benefits of osteopathy are pain relief, improved mobility, enhanced blood circulation, which can help the body heal and recover more quickly from injuries, reduce stress and tension, and improve overall health.
“Osteopathy is constantly evolving, which can be intellectually stimulating. I enjoy learning and staying up to date with the latest research and techniques.”
#07-05 High Street Centre,
1 North Bridge Road
8813 5532 | nexthealth.sg
City Osteopathy & Physiotherapy
City’s experienced team of over 25 practitioners includes osteopaths, physiotherapists, women’s health experts, and sports massage and lymphatic drainage therapists. Based across three locations in Singapore (CBD, Novena and Bukit Timah), all the practitioners provide hands-on, holistic care for patients of all ages.
Your osteopath will first take a detailed health history and conduct many of the same clinical and orthopaedic tests that a doctor would also perform, in order to arrive at a diagnosis. Treatment will include a variety of musculoskeletal techniques focussing not only on relief for specific symptoms, but also on improving overall general health. Several sessions may be required, and you can expect to be retested after the treatment to make sure that intervention has been effective.
Hear from senior osteopath Arthur Codsi:
“Structure enhances function. This is a key principle that describes osteopathy’s potential perfectly. As osteopaths, we fully enable the body’s functions by allowing it to adapt to one’s lifestyle. This will be seen as increased joint mobility, decreased muscle tension, increased blood flow, and overall pain reduction.
I love that, as an osteopath, I am able to treat patients holistically using pain-free techniques. It’s extremely rewarding to be able to influence health solely with my hands, and I am grateful for it every day. I believe that properly diagnosing each patient requires appropriate time allocation. I value the ability to take that time, which not all therapists have.
Additionally, I value the sense of freedom and flexibility of being able to work in a variety of environments. As a sports fan, structural osteopathy allows me to care for competitive athletes and teams both in the clinic and on the field.”
CBD, Bukit Timah, Novena
6222 2451| cityosteophysio.com
Osteopathic Pain Relief Centre
At this osteopathic clinic in Singapore, senior osteopath Jose helps people suffering from body ailments often related to recreational, sports and manual labour injuries, stress- and pregnancy-related tensions, and injuries from over-working in the office. Jose has 29 years of experience correcting imbalances in tissues and using a variety of techniques. These include manual manipulation, trigger point needling and biodynamics cranial osteopathy to help patients’ “healing abilities overcome their problems”. He says that rebalancing the body to get it back to optimal health is what his specialisation is all about.
For the last five years, Jose has been able to provide free osteopathic therapy servicesto all Singapore-based foreign domestic workers. Find out more here.
What can you expect from Jose?
“At the first visit, I try to explain why patients have their symptoms and how to reduce them. During the follow-up visits, I continue to rebalance the body and improve the patient’s symptoms further.
Osteopathy sessions go beyond pain relief. Many patients report feeling a sense of calm after their sessions, as well as being able to manage their lives more easily with the follow-up ‘re-setting’ or ‘rebalancing’ treatments.”
#14-06 Chinatown Point, 133 New Bridge Road
6327 8545 | oprc.com.sg
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