Get back to feeling like yourself
Your body should help you live your life—not make every day feel harder.
Pain can interrupt sleep, drain your concentration and make you second-guess movements you once performed without thinking.
Perhaps you want to turn your head comfortably while driving, sit through the workday without constantly adjusting, return to the gym with confidence, or enjoy running, golf, gardening and weekends without planning everything around your symptoms. That is what your care should work towards.
Your osteopath starts with the problem in front of them, but the goal is bigger: help you reduce pain, restore movement and rebuild confidence in what your body can do.
The right care from the start
Experienced osteopaths. Skilled hands-on treatment. Care tailored to you.
Receive skilled hands-on treatment
Your osteopath selects treatment around your assessment, comfort and goals—and can begin during your first consultation where appropriate.
Be heard before being treated
We take time to understand when the problem started, what aggravates it, what you have tried and what it is preventing you from doing.
Understand what is happening
Your osteopath assesses the painful area and contributing joints, muscles, movement, strength and load factors, then explains the likely diagnosis and next step.
Have a say in your treatment
We explain what we recommend, why and the alternatives. You remain involved in decisions about your care.
Treatment matched to your body
Skilled hands-on treatment—matched to your body, comfort and goals.
This is the heart of the appointment. Your osteopath uses skilled manual therapy to work with painful or restricted areas, help restore movement and make it easier to do the things your body is currently stopping you from doing.
- Soft-tissue treatment
For muscular tension and sensitive areas
- Joint mobilisation
To improve movement through stiff or restricted joints
- Joint manipulation
Where appropriate and you are comfortable with it
- Dry needling
For selected muscle-related concerns
- Stretching and muscle-energy techniques
To support mobility and control
- Rehabilitation when needed
To rebuild strength and return to demanding activity
You will not receive every technique simply because it is available. Your osteopath explains what they recommend, why and the alternatives, then involves you in the decision.
Start with what is holding you back
Is pain or restricted movement getting in the way of your life?
People commonly book our Thornbury osteopaths for help with:
- Muscle tightness and restricted movement
- Sports, gym and training-related injuries
- Golf-related pain and movement concerns
- Postural and desk-related discomfort
- Returning to exercise, work or sport after pain or injury
You do not need to know the diagnosis before booking. Tell us where you feel the problem, how long it has been happening and what you want to get back to. If osteopathy is not the best place to begin, we will explain why and help you find a more suitable next step.
Choose the person—not just the appointment
Find the Thornbury osteopath who feels right for you.
Feeling comfortable with your practitioner matters. Choose from three Thornbury osteopaths with different backgrounds, clinical interests and treatment styles.
Dr Brendan Verbunt
Male osteopath — Thornbury
Brendan has a particular interest in hands-on care for neck and back pain, TMJ and jaw concerns, sports injuries, and golf-related pain and performance.
- Neck or back pain
- TMJ and jaw concerns
- Sports and gym injuries
- Golf injuries and performance
Dr Kelly Dulic
Female osteopath — Thornbury
Kelly has a particular interest in hands-on care for headaches and migraine, jaw pain, neck and spinal conditions, postural tension and paediatric care.
- Headaches and migraine
- Neck, back and spinal pain
- Jaw pain and TMJ
- Calm, collaborative care
Dr Tegan Edmonds
Female osteopath — Thornbury
Tegan brings an attentive, patient-centred approach to assessment and hands-on care, informed by clinical training across general, aged-care and sporting environments.
- A thoughtful first consultation
- Treatment matched to comfort
- Sporting-environment experience
- Care connected with Premier’s team
Not sure who to choose? Call
(03) 9484 5712 and tell reception what is happening and what you want to get back to. We will help you choose based on your concern, preferences and current availability.
45–60 minutes focused on you
Arrive with questions. Leave with clarity and a plan.
We listen and assess
Tell us what you feel, when it started and how it affects your life. We examine the relevant joints, muscles and movements.
We explain
You receive a straightforward explanation of the most likely diagnosis, contributing factors and whether further investigation is needed.
We begin hands-on treatment
When appropriate and with your consent, treatment can begin in the first consultation.
We map the next step
You leave knowing what was recommended, why it matters and how treatment or rehabilitation may progress.
You are not locked into a predetermined schedule. Recommendations are explained, progress is reviewed and the decisions remain yours.
More support, if you need it
Hands-on treatment first. Rehabilitation when it helps you go further.
Many patients primarily want experienced, hands-on osteopathic care. That is exactly where we start.
If your recovery would benefit from rebuilding strength, improving control or preparing for greater demands, your osteopath can connect treatment with gym rehabilitation, practical home exercises, Clinical Pilates or Premier’s wider allied-health team. These options extend your care when you need them.
Experience you can feel confident in
You are unlikely to be the first person we have seen with a concern like yours.
Premier began in Melbourne’s inner north more than 20 years ago. Since then, our practitioners have seen more than 40,000 patients seeking help with pain, stiffness, injuries and restricted movement.
Your osteopath works inside a team that has managed thousands of different presentations and trains together for two hours every week, sharing clinical knowledge and learning from cases seen across Premier. More than 1,100 Google reviews across Premier add reassurance from people who have trusted the team with their care.
20+ yearsin Melbourne’s inner north
40,000+ patientsseen across Premier
2 hours weeklyteam training
Make your first booking with confidence
We stand behind your consultation experience.
If you are not 100% satisfied with your consultation experience, tell us. Premier will refund your consultation fee and provide your next session at no charge.
The guarantee covers the consultation experience rather than promising a particular clinical outcome. It means we stand behind the time, attention, assessment, explanation and care you receive.
Local osteopathic care on High Street
Visit Premier Sports Medicine Thornbury on High Street.
680 High Street
Thornbury VIC 3071
Phone: (03) 9484 5712
Convenient for people living or working in Thornbury, Northcote, Preston, Reservoir and Melbourne’s inner north. The Route 86 tram runs along High Street and stops near the clinic. On-street parking is available, subject to current signs and clearway restrictions.
Questions before booking
Thornbury osteopathy FAQs
What does hands-on osteopathic treatment involve?
An osteopath assesses and treats musculoskeletal pain, injuries and movement problems. At Premier Thornbury, hands-on care may include soft-tissue techniques, joint mobilisation, manipulation, dry needling, stretching and muscle-energy techniques. Your osteopath selects techniques after assessing you, explains what they recommend and asks for your consent before treatment.
Do I need a referral?
You generally do not need a referral for a private osteopathy appointment. Patients attending under a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan should contact reception to confirm referral and rebate requirements.
Can I claim private health insurance?
HICAPS is available for eligible private health claims. Your rebate depends on your insurer and level of cover.
Will I receive hands-on treatment during my first appointment?
Hands-on treatment can begin during your first consultation where it is appropriate and you consent to the proposed approach. Your osteopath will first hear your history, assess the problem and explain what they recommend.
Will my osteopath manipulate or “crack” my joints?
Not necessarily. Osteopaths use different techniques, including soft-tissue treatment, joint mobilisation, manipulation, dry needling, stretching and exercise rehabilitation. Your osteopath will recommend an approach based on your assessment and preferences and will ask for consent before treatment.
How many osteopathy appointments will I need?
There is no automatic treatment schedule. Your osteopath will make an initial recommendation after assessing you and review it as you progress. The number and frequency of appointments depend on your concern, goals and response.
Should I book Brendan, Kelly or Tegan?
Brendan may be a strong match for neck or back pain, TMJ, sports injuries and golf-related concerns. Kelly may be a strong match for headaches and migraine, jaw pain, neck or spinal conditions, postural tension and paediatric care. Tegan may suit patients who value an attentive, hands-on appointment informed by experience across general, aged-care and sporting environments. Call (03) 9484 5712 if you would like help deciding.
What if I do not feel comfortable with my practitioner?
Tell us. We want you to feel heard and comfortable with the person leading your care. Reception can discuss the concern and help determine a better next step or practitioner match.
Where is Premier’s Thornbury osteopathy clinic?
Premier Sports Medicine Thornbury is at 680 High Street, Thornbury VIC 3071. The local clinic number is (03) 9484 5712.
Ready for expert hands-on care?
Get expert hands-on treatment from a Thornbury osteopath who takes the time to understand you.
Your first 45–60-minute consultation gives your osteopath time to listen, properly assess what is happening and begin hands-on treatment where appropriate. Choose Brendan, Kelly or Tegan—or call reception and let us help you find the right fit.