Asthma is the most common chronic illness effectring children and adolescents in Australia, and is associated with increasing morbidity rates and financial costs to our society. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of a specific manual therapy technique, rib raising, could produce short and intermediate term improvements in the lung function in children with chronic asthma. The results demonstrated that rib raising produce and increase in the lung function of an asthmatic child in the short and intermediate term. Further research is required to determine the possible benefits of rib raising on children with chronic stable asthma. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background and Objectives: Neck pain can be severely disabling and costly, it is a common problem in the general population with point prevalence ranging between 10% and 15%. The aim of this single cohort study was to investigate if osteopathic management of neck pain would reduce patients' perceived pain. Conclusion: Both outcome measures demonstrated a significant reduction in the perceived quality and intensity of neck pain with osteopathic management. This pilot study suggests that osteopathic treatment is effective for the management of neck pain. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

The objective od this study is to determine whether a specific muscle energy technique had an effect on the vertical range of opening of the mandible of the TMJ compared to therapeutic jaw exercises and non-intervention control group. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the study, the results support the hypothesis that the application of a specific osteopathic treatment, in this case MET and therapeutic jaw exercises can improve the range of opening in the TMJ. The results of this study provide a basis for further research as they present valuable outcomes for osteopaths treating jaw dysfunction. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

A variety of healthcare professions have debated methods of implementing reflective practice in academic curricula. Reflective practice serves as a means of accessing cognitive and behavioural patterns of clinical skills that competent professionals use in their daily lives. The Osteopathic profession has yet to engage with this concept. This study was conducted in an osteopathic clinical setting and used a qualitative research method of ethnography and semi-structured interviews to investigate memorable clinical experiences. The analysis of the study described the role that reflection can play in the process of developing osteopathic students and clinicians, in the osteopathic clinic at Victoria University. An understanding of common issues and concerns of clinicians and students were explored. The actual interview process itself proved to be an effective tool for reflection as participants reported an increase in self awareness as a result of participating in the interviews. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Osteopaths primarily treat musculoskeletal disorders, but as primary health care providers, also need to diagnose and recognise co-pathologies, and understand the implications any past conditions may have on a patient's present complaint. These conditions may affect the patient's presenting complaint, and consequently influence the type and effectiveness of osteopathic treatment given, but may also have important safety implications of their own. The current study aims to investigate the types and frequency of co-pathologies and signs and symptoms of possible co-pathologies seen by students in a teaching clinic, and to relate those to known national averages. Thus initiate a process of exploration that will ultimately help students and educators gain a broader understanding of patient demographics and the most commom co-pathologies seen by student osteopaths. Conclusions: Osteopaths predominantly treat patients with musculoskeletal problems, however most patients we see will have at least one co-pathology present in their medical history, demonstrating the need for an increased public awareness of the potential for osteopaths to play a part in patient's general healthcare. Tha patterns identified generally corresponded with the trends identified in the known national averages. Students need to have greater exposure to the conditions that were not commonly identified in the current study but common in the wider community, such as arthritides. Co-pathologies can influence a patient's musculoskeletal complaint, as well as the type and efficacy of osteopathic treatment. Therefore it is important that students and educators alike are aware of the prevalent co-pathologies so that the curriculum is tailored to include these conditions, so that graduates are better prepared for life in private practice. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background and objective: Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is commonly advocated by authors of manual therapy as a means of treating spinal pain and dysfunction, but there is little evidence of its role in pain modulation. This controlled and single blinded study aimed to investigate the effect of MET on pressure pain thresholds (PPT) in the suboccipital musculature in an asymptomatic population. Conclusion: While MET appeared to have some immediate impact on pain threshold, the changes in PPT were not enough to be significantly different form the sham control. Further studies are recommended to explore the impact of MET on pressure pain thresholds and self-reported pain in symptomatic subjects. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background: Patient satisfaction has been identified as a critical success factor in the sustained long term success of practices in the health care industry. The Victoria University Osteopathy Clinic (VUOC) is a clinic, which provides a competitively priced, high quality service yet suffers currently from low patient numbers. Conclusion: Extrapolation of conclusions from this study is difficult in view of the small sample size. This study indicates that current patients are mostly satisfied with the Victoria University Osteopathic Clinic, and suggests that any deficiencies in patient numbers may be due to limitations within the study. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Pregnancy-related low back, and posterior pelvic pain are common problems. Women (n=126) attending Maternal and Child Health Centres in Melbourne were surveyed regarding their experiences and treatment of these conditions. Ten percent had consulted an osteopath, and most reported positive experiences of care. A large proportion were prescribed exercises or given postural advice. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

To assess the effect of injury to the ankle on postural sway in participants with a history of no injuries, one injury and two or more injuries. To compare the changes in passive range of motion of the ankle in participants with no injuries, one injury and two or more injuries. The results suggest that there are some changes in inversion range of motion and some deficits in proprioception once an ankle injury has occurred. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.

Background: Osteopathy was founded as a drugless medical alternative in the USA. The Osteopaths Registration Board of Victoria is currently considering the advocacy of limited prescription rights for osteopaths. Conclusions: Due to the variety of issues that emerged, further research is warranted. A more extensive survey of the profession is recommended. This minor thesis was written by a post-graduate student as part of the requirements of the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) program.