Our Practitioners
All our Osteopaths are highly trained, experienced and registered
with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Maxwell Fraval
OSTEOPATH: D.O., M.OSTEO.SC.(PAED), MEMBER AOA
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A career change brought me to osteopathy and I have been on a continuing journey of discovery into the benefits of osteopathic treatment ever since.
It was through treating my baby son who had projectile vomiting that I became passionate about osteopathic care of babies and children. This has led to further study over the years, in my quest to help babies and children with a variety of difficulties, including birth trauma, colic and reflux, gait problems, poor dental occlusion and learning difficulties. These conditions often require a combination of conventional medical treatment in conjunction with osteopathic care and other supportive modalities.
I trained at the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) and subsequently joined the BSO’s Board of Governors and the General Council of Registered Osteopaths. In 1983 my family and I moved to Melbourne Australia, another life change that has been a great blessing.
My love of osteopathy has led to continuous study, teaching undergraduate and post graduate students in Australia, UK, USA, NZ, and several European countries. The Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation of Australia and New Zealand, of which I am a founding member, was established in 1990 as a vehicle for teaching post graduate courses. In 1993, I pioneered the first Osteopathic Paediatrics degree in Australia leading to a Master’s degree at RMIT in Melbourne.
I get great satisfaction from sharing this osteopathic journey with my colleagues and osteopathic students who are in their last years of study, for whom I have been running an annual Osteopathic Summer School since 1999.
My deep and abiding passion is to contribute to the fulfilment of potential for children and adults through the use of osteopathy and other therapies that intrinsically support effective body function.
Jared Palpratt
B. APP SC CLINICAL SCIENCE, M.H.SC (OSTEOPATHY)
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Closer study of anatomy and physiology triggers wonder and curiosity into life in motion. To me, osteopathy represents a method of interface with the breathtaking beauty of life.
I have studied Engineering, and Organic Chemistry but was never quite satisfied until I found Osteopathy. I have followed my passion, completing numerous Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation of Australia and New Zealand (SCTFANZ) and Australian Research College of Osteopathic Medicine courses and have since become teaching and tutoring faculty for both.
I am the proud father of two girls, treating them from the time they were babies to present. This has sparked in me an interest and desire to be able to help other babies and children with Osteopathic treatment that is gentle and specific. Currently, my clinical interests include paediatric osteopathic applications, head injury and trauma, fluid dynamic to name a few.
One of the things that draws me to Osteopathy is the respect that it pays to the body, and its intrinsic healing capabilities.
Osteopathic tenets provide both a stimulus and a framework that enable an enquiring mind to delve into vast areas of interest and knowledge.
Manas Blackman
M.OSTEO.MED, BACH.CLIN.SC (OSTEO)
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from working with groups of people was to pursue a greater understanding of this healing modality that takes into consideration the whole person. I was inspired to complete a Bachelor of Clinical Science-Osteopathy, and Master of Osteopathic Medicine at Southern Cross University.
I’m still inspired by and appreciate all aspects of osteopathy, this holistic modality working with the healing capacity of the body/mind; life’s intelligence in continuous self-regulation.
This appreciation has drawn me to pursue further studies in the osteopathic approach to health care. Some of these approaches in osteopathic treatment include cranial, biodynamic, visceral, and paediatrics. Some institutions include the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation of Australia and New Zealand, The Australian Research College of Osteopathic Medicine, and The Barral Institute. And the learning continues. It is a blessing to be working and studying in this field.
My approach is invitational, respectful, providing context and education as needed.
Alongside osteopathy, I have studied, practiced and taught for over 30 years various modalities that aim to encompass and unify the whole person – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. These aspects, combined with the impact of life events, inform our process in the world and the condition in which we navigate it. I’m also a father of two daughters, a tradesman, a musician, and have decades of experience as a practitioner and teacher of traditional yoga and meditation.
Aiden Knight
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Working in the coffee industry naturally led to Melbourne where, like an incoming tide, Osteopathy became a greater and greater force in my life. This culminated in enrolling at Victoria University to study in 2015.
I have a longstanding passion for cycling, particularly it’s transformative nature on the health of individuals, communities and the environment. Too old now for bombing hills on brakeless, fixed-gear bikes I regularly get around on my electric cargo bike with my two sons. Now a stereotypical ‘bike dad’!
Whilst studying, I was fortunate to spend time at the University College of Osteopath (formerly the British School of Osteopathy) practising in specialised paediatrics and HIV-positive clinics, amongst others.
I believe that one of the unique qualities of Osteopathy in our ultra-modern age is meeting the patient where they are and approaching ‘health’ in an afferent and non-judgemental manner. Practising Osteopathy is an intensely humbling experience, one in which I believe the practitioner is there to serve the ‘health’ of the patient.
Ellena Hocking
OSTEOPATHY: BHLTHSC/BAPPSC, MEMBER OA
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Whilst I’ve completed my studies, my passion for Osteopathy is life-long as I continue deepening my knowledge of the human body. My interest in cranial Osteopathy and biodynamic techniques have inspired and influenced my treatment modality, as I feel it encompasses a more holistic and gentle approach to treatment.
I am a passionate, caring and empathetic practitioner. Meeting my patients’ specific needs to create an individualised care plan is at the heart of my treatment. I combine education, hands-on treatment and, if necessary, a multidisciplinary approach, to cultivate and empower my patients’ in their health and wellbeing goals. As an Osteopath, my emphasis is upon treating you as a whole. I care about your mind, body and spirit.
A priority of mine is cultivating a welcoming, healing and safe environment. I am mindful of people’s unique experiences and practice trauma-informed care, working with people who are diverse in; age, gender, race, religion, culture and sexuality.
Osteopathy has always deeply spoken to me as a simple yet profound approach to healing the human body. I have always been in awe of the remarkable and intelligent capabilities of the body. It continues to enthrall me, as I expand my understanding and my knowledge. Accompanying patients upon a journey towards greater health is always a privilege and an honour.
I am a lover of the great outdoors! When not in the clinic, you can find me rock climbing and hiking. I especially enjoy yoga, meditation, ukulele strumming and cups of tea in the company of friends and family.
I look forward to assisting you in achieving deeper health and wellbeing.
Ingrid Mitchell
OSTEOPATHY:
BAPPC,
MAOsteo
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years and love it more each day. The opportunity to also work at the Canberra Osteopathic Clinic is a dream come true.
In a rural practice I see everything, from babies to people 90 years young, those with injuries from working in cattle yards, driving tractors or gardening. Others have come to realise all the fun of their past catches up and osteopathic treatment helps them remember the fun rather than any incapacity experienced with aging.
I love working with people, particularly trying to figure out why something is not working as well as hoped; why there might be pain, motion restriction and incapacity. I love encouraging people to do more, work smarter not harder and to use their bodies to enjoy life as much as possible.
It can be difficult to define what an osteopath is but I always say it is someone who endeavours to find the health in a person, to find what is good and expand that. I approach difficulties from the positive. What is it that a person can do? What is it that a person would like to do? I believe it is important to focus on improving function and good health.
I have lived in Canberra in the past, at Outward Bound Australia, Tharwa, working as an outdoor educator. I studied osteopathy in Melbourne then moved to the Bega valley in 2010. With my partner we have two boys who bring me great joy and at times consternation as we all journey through family life. As with osteopathy I am always learning something new and relish the challenge of a dynamic life.
Contact us
The Canberra Osteopathic Centre
Level 2/ 16 Wilbow Street,
Phillip, Canberra.
(02) 6260 5777
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