Revitalising My Passion for Osteopathy in Swan Hill

by David Hammersley

In the second semester of my third year as an osteopathy student at VU, I jumped at the chance to leave the classroom behind and head to Swan Hill for an osteopathic outreach program with the team at Central Mallee Health. This outreach service aims to provide hands-on therapy and professional allied health services to communities that don’t have access to the services and support they may require.

During my four days in Swan Hill, I was immersed in a world of hands-on learning, where I observed skilled clinicians tackling a wide range of patient needs with dedication and care. The team of osteopaths ranged from seasoned professionals with years of experience to relatively new graduates from both RMIT and VU. It was inspiring to see such a high level of competence and professionalism from people who had been in their fourth or fifth year of study, just as I am now at the same institution.

Between patient consultations, I had the invaluable opportunity to sit down with each practitioner, exploring their unique approaches to osteopathy. They instructed and guided me through various hands-on techniques, taking turns practising on each other. While I felt confident in areas such as early and late-stage rehab in the gym, I found some manual therapy techniques for patients in the acute stages of injury more challenging. Observing the individualised care provided and witnessing the transformation in patients from when they entered the room to when they left highlighted the importance of mastering a broad range of osteopathic approaches.

My week in Swan Hill reignited my passion for osteopathy. University can sometimes feel routine and stagnant, but this experience allowed me to see the bigger picture and reminded me why I chose this path. The focused work I will do with patients and practitioners will be worth every minute.

This opportunity has strengthened my commitment to osteopathy, and I am more excited than ever to continue my journey, confident in the skills and insights I have gained.

A big thanks to the team at Central Mallee Health for having me. It was an amazing few days and an experience I will never forget.