Extras glossary
Acupuncture
Description
The term acupuncture describes a family of procedures involving stimulation of anatomical points on the body by a variety of techniques. Many western practices of acupuncture incorporate medical traditions from China, Japan, Korea, and other countries. Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and addresses a perceived imbalance and disharmony within the body. It is thought that when the flow of your life energy or ‘Qi’ becomes disrupted, illness and disease can result. Treatments of conditions are made by influencing points on the meridians, which interconnect across the body surface and relate to major organs of the body.
Treatment
Treatment is commonly done by the insertion and manipulation of hair-thin, solid, metallic needles into the body at specified sites. Pre-sterilised disposable needles should be used. Depending on the location of the treatment, the patient will either sit or lie down. Acupuncture is usually painless because the needles are very fine (around 0.2mm in width). Once inserted, the patient may feel mild tingling around the site, warmth or pressure. The practitioner may also stimulate the acupuncture points using other methods, including moxibustion (the burning of specific herbs near the body, often used in conjunction with acupuncture as an element of Chinese medicine), cupping, electro-stimulation and massage.
Conditions
Acupuncture is often sought for the management of chronic pain such as migraines, arthritis and back pain, but has also been used in the management of conditions such as morning sickness, constipation, skin conditions and sporting injuries.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes acupuncture and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure).
Want to know more about acupuncture? Here are some places to start:
Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association
Better Health Channel Antenatal Classes
Description
Antenatal classes are primarily designed to help prospective parents prepare for labour and birth. They provide information on all aspects of the labour and birth (whether this be vaginal delivery or by Caesarean Section). Discussion of pain relief options and support strategies and a place to meet other pregnant women and their partners is also of value. Some classes also cover early parenting, breastfeeding, father’s classes and settling techniques (for a crying baby). Classes are generally performed by a midwife, but physiotherapists may conduct them as well.
Classes generally run over a course of weeks (anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks) with session times usually being 2 hours. Classes can run after business hours or on weekends – 1 or 2 days per week. Parents are usually advised to commence classes around 26-30 weeks gestation. Your obstetrician or hospital can advise you about how to sign up.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes antenatal and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure). Bowen Therapy
Description
Bowen is described as a remedial body technique that empowers the body’s own healing resources, achieving balance and harmony. The healing is not considered massage but rather a 'non-invasive' muscle release technique consisting of a series of gentle cross fibre moves. Practitioners consider it safe to use on anyone (newborns to the elderly), with any condition from sports injuries to chronic or organic complaints.
Treatment
A treatment comprises sequences of small gentle moves with no forceful manipulation, each at a specific site on the body. A session can last from 30 minutes to an hour. You do not need to remove your clothes. During this time, the therapist may leave the room for periods of 2-5 minutes at a time to allow your muscles to make the changes necessary in your body before commencing the next sequence of moves. During the treatment, the therapist will discuss the importance of water intake and is likely to recommend any other environmental or lifestyle changes necessary to maintain your wellbeing.
Bowen is not an ongoing therapy. Bowen practitioners suggest that you can expect relief after the first session and complete recovery within a maximum of three sessions, except in the case of chronic illness or repeat injury.
Conditions
Some of the conditions believed to respond well to Bowen therapy include circulation problems, lymphatic and venous draining, assimilation of nutrients, joint mobility, posture, sports and accident injuries, stress disorders and neck and head tension.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes Bowen therapy and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure).
Want to know more about Bowen therapy? Here are some places to start:
The Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia
Better Health Channel
Chinese Herbalism
Description
Chinese herbalism is one of the major components of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, herbal remedies (which may be used in conjunction with other techniques such as acupuncture or massage) are used to influence the flow of Qi (vital energy) throughout the body. Chinese herbalism is described as a holistic medical system, meaning that it looks at treating a patient as a whole person, looking at the mental and spiritual health, as well as the physical health of the individual.
Illness is seen as a disharmony or imbalance among these aspects of the individual. Herbs are prescribed as formulas that may contain as many as 10 or 15 herbs, each designed to treat particular patterns of disharmony because every herb has a different role. The practitioner will tailor a formula to suit an individual patient, choosing from nearly 6,000 herbs and sometimes animal and mineral ingredients.
Treatment
A qualified practitioner is able to prescribe a Chinese herbal formula that aims to match and treat an individual’s health problem, so make sure the practitioner is fully qualified. Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs and should be treated with the same caution and respect. Some herbs can be toxic in high doses and others can cause allergic reactions.
The practitioner might also advise you to make specific changes in your diet, such as avoiding spicy foods or alcohol. Foods are believed to either ‘heat’ or ‘cool’ the constitution, therefore dietary changes are an important part of the healing process. Acupuncture might also be used to treat disrupted Qi.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes Chinese herbalism and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service. Please note that if your cover includes this service, nib will only provide benefits for the consultation only. No benefit is payable for any remedies.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure).
Want to know more about Chinese herbalism? Here's a place to start:
The Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association Chiropractic
Description
Chiropractic is a manipulation based physical therapy that is based upon the understanding that good health is dependant upon a normally functioning nervous system, especially the spine and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body. Chiropractors may sometimes refer to a patient's "subluxation", which is a misalignment of the spine that interferes with nerve signals transmitted by the brain.
Chiropractors use manual treatments, referred to as spinal adjustments, to realign the joints of the spine. The basic principle of chiropractic is that spinal adjustments can improve many health problems that are related to the nerves, skeleton and muscles. Problems such as spinal conditions may be helped, and it is also used to assist in the improvement of a person’s general state of health and wellness.
Treatment
Chiropractors will typically diagnose your problem by taking a case history and completing a physical examination to ascertain any injuries, accidents or tension that may be causing irritation to the spinal nerve roots. This may involve watching how you stand and move, feeling your spine, head and pelvis, and requesting x-rays.
Adjustments may be done while standing, sitting, lying down or in combination – it depends on your symptoms. You may need to be undressed for treatments, which are usually performed on a special Chiropractic table. There is sometimes a clicking sound as the spinal joints are adjusted, but this is usually painless. There are a number of different methods of adjustments that use various degrees of hand pressure and specialised equipment.
There is an emphasis upon nutritional and exercise programs, along with advice on lifestyle modifications, as Chiropractors believe that the body is a self-regulating organism with an inborn potential to be healthy. Pharmaceutical medications are not prescribed.
Length and frequency of treatments will vary from one practitioner to another and according to the degree of severity of the problem presented.
Conditions
Chiropractic treatment can be helpful to assist with a range of disorders, including asthma, back injuries, headaches, lower back pain, migraines, period pain, problems with posture sciatica (shooting pains in the leg) and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes chiropractic and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure).
Want to know more about chiropractic? Here's a place to start:
Better Health Channel
Dental – General
General Dental
Description
Dentistry is the practical application of knowledge of dental science that incorporates the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of teeth, the oral cavity and its associated structures. A dentist is a professional clinician who provides the full range of general dental care.
Treatment
The Australian Dental Association (ADA) states that the primary aim of a dentist is to treat oral disorders. Dentists in general practice can provide a wide range of services including:
- Preventive treatment such as scaling, cleaning and fluoride therapy.
- Repairs to teeth damaged by decay or trauma, rebuilding tooth structures for functional or cosmetic reasons and providing crowns and bridges.
- Treatment for diseases of the roots, gums and soft tissues of the mouth
- Surgical procedures, such as routine extractions.
- X-rays to detect abnormalities and plan treatment.
- Denture design – including taking impressions, recording jaw relations, selecting colour and mould of teeth and correctly fitting dental appliances which are manufactured by dental technicians to dentists' prescriptions.
As there are a range of recognised dental specialties, most dentists in general practice will provide a referral to the appropriate specialist and continue to manage your general dental requirements.
Non-Specialty Dental
Description
There are dentists who have not qualified as specialists, but are still able to provide endodontic, periodontic, orthodontic and other specialty treatments. It is advisable to discuss your options for treatment thoroughly with your dentist, and always seek a second opinion if you are in any doubt.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes general dentistry and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service. It is important to check your cover to determine exactly which dental services you are covered for, and to make sure that your practitioner is properly qualified and recognised by nib for the services being provided.
Dental – Specialty
Description
Speciality dental services are provided by qualified specialist dentists, much the same as medical practitioners may specialise. Recognised specialties include Endodontics, Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontics and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Endodontics is a dental specialty that treats diseases and injuries associated with the soft tissues in the hollow core of the tooth. Endodontists are primarily sought for Root Canal Therapy and Root Canal Surgery.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialty encompassing the surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries and deformities involving both the functional and aesthetic aspects of the head, face, mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, and neck. This can include preventive, reconstructive, or emergency care for the teeth, mouth, jaws, and facial structures.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may be sought for a wide range of treatment, including the removal of wisdom teeth, dental implants, bone grafting, jaw surgery, facial trauma, cleft lip and palate and temporomandibular (TMJ) disorders.
Orthodontics is a dental speciality that includes the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems in the alignment of teeth and jaws. The technical term for these problems is malocclusion, which literally means bad bite. An orthodontist would ordinarily be sought for treatment involving the design and use of corrective appliances (such as braces, plates, headgears and functional appliances) to bring the teeth and jaws into proper alignment.
Paediatric Dentistry is the area of dentistry concerned with the comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care of children from birth through to adolescence. Where covered, nib extends specialist paediatric services to children up to and including the age of 16. Periodontics is a specialty concerned with the prevention and treatment of diseases of the tissues which support the teeth, that is, the gums and underlying bone. A periodontist would primarily be sought for the education, prevention and treatment of periodontal disease (or gum disease).
Prosthodontics is a dental speciality concerned with the restoration and replacement of missing and heavily damaged teeth. It involves the replacement of natural teeth with removable dentures, crowns and bridges. A prosthodontist is a dental specialist in the restoration and replacement of teeth and among many things may be sought for services such as crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, complete and removable partial dentures and dental implants.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes specialty dentistry and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service. It is important to check your cover to determine exactly which dental services you are covered for, and make sure that your practitioner is properly qualified and recognised by nib for the services being provided.
Dental – Other
Description
Many dental services are now provided by an array of allied dental personnel. Although not qualified as dentists, these are people trained in the provision of certain dental services. This includes dental assistants, dental laboratory assistants, dental technicians, dental therapists, dental hygienists and dental prosthetists.
Dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental prosthetists must be registered and practice in accordance with all of the statutory requirements of their profession. nib does extend cover to include benefits towards some of the services provided by these allied dental service providers.
Dental Hygenist
Dental hygienists use preventive, educational and therapeutic methods to achieve and maintain good oral health, plaque control and nutrition. They are trained to do specific clinical procedures with the aim to prevent dental disease. They work under the supervision and direction of a dentist and cannot legally practice independently.
Dental hygienists perform tasks like removing deposits and stains from teeth by scaling and root planing and help prevent and control dental caries (decay) and gum disease by applying topical fluoride treatments. They can also assist in orthodontic procedures by selecting and sizing orthodontic bands (braces), and removing orthodontic wires.
Dental Prosthetist
The dental prosthetist is the member of the dental profession who constructs, fits and repairs dentures (both complete and partial) and mouth guards. They are legally entitled to operate from their own independent premises and consult directly with clients about their dental prosthetic needs.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes services provided by allied dental personnel and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service. It is important to check your cover to determine exactly which dental services you are covered for, and make sure that your practitioner is properly qualified and recognised by nib for the services being provided.
Dietetics
Description
Dietetics is the scientific study of food preparation and intake. It is the branch of therapeutics concerned with the practical application of diet in relation to health and disease. Dietitians practice dietetics by applying their nutritional knowledge to meet individual needs. Dietitians help to prevent and treat illnesses by promoting healthy eating habits and recommending dietary modifications, such as the use of less salt for those with high blood pressure or the reduction of fat and sugar intake for those who are overweight.
Dietitians are eligible for membership of the Dietitians Association of Australia and to participate in the Accredited Practising Dietitians (APD) regulation and quality program.
Treatment
As there is no perfect "one-size-fits-all" diet, your daily nutrition requirements are based on your age, weight, medication (if any) and your level of daily physical activity. Practitioners’ techniques will vary, with most seeking to develop a meal plan as a team effort (which may include your doctor or health professional). It is likely that you will complete a detailed questionnaire about your eating habits and food preferences and through a few iterations you and your dietitian will agree upon a meal plan.
The plan will be unique to you and will change as time goes on. Changes in lifestyle or medication will require adjustments in your meal plan so it is important to understand how often you need to visit your dietitian to ensure your meal plan is meeting your needs.
Conditions
While many people seek the advice of a dietitian for weight problems (whether overweight or underweight), dietitians can also assist in the management of many chronic conditions including bowel disorders, cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
Some dietitians specialise in certain areas (such as children’s and sports nutrition) or in specific chronic conditions.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes dietetics and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure).
Want to know more about dietetics? Here's a place to start:
The Dietitians Association of Australia
Or if you’re wondering how healthy your diet is, try:
The Dietitians Association of Australia Healthy Eating Self-Assessment
Exercise Physiology
Description
Exercise physiologists have trained in the Faculty of Exercise Science and have gone on to specialise either in health and fitness or exercise rehabilitation. This speciality has developed in recent years as the understanding of physical fitness and rehabilitation has increased.
Treatment
Treatments vary according to the reason for the consultation, but are often part of a multi-faceted health professional team approach. Consultations are sometimes performed at a gym, in order to utilise the equipment there.
Conditions
Exercise physiologists treat a range of different conditions, that all include exercise as a treatment strategy in the physical rehabilitation of the person. They might be incorporated as a strategy for disease prevention, injury rehabilitation or as a process for establishing and maintaining functional independence. Exercise physiology is suitable for most age groups.
This information is a general description only. Call 13 14 63 to check if your nib Health Cover includes exercise physiology and the specific treatments nib will pay a benefit for under this service.
nib will only pay benefits for services supplied by nib recognised providers, so make sure that your practitioner is both properly qualified and recognised by nib (ask the service provider or contact nib if you are unsure).
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