Your Local Osteopath
Dr Alex Douglas (Osteopath)
Registered Osteopath
B.H.Sci / B.App.Sci (Osteopathy)
B.A. (Media)
Alex Douglas is an experienced and compassionate osteopath dedicated to helping patients of all ages, from children (5+) to older adults, move and feel better. With close to ten years of clinical experience across Sydney, Perth, and now Melbourne, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge and a thoughtful approach to osteopathy in Malvern, just a quick tram ride from various areas in Melbourne. He is passionate about supporting the local community with safe, effective, and individualised care.
Alex’s treatment style combines both a direct and a cranial osteopathy (craniosacral) approach, allowing him to adapt to the specific needs of each patient. His direct approach may include soft tissue massage, joint articulation, and manipulation, while his cranial osteopathy techniques provide a gentler, more subtle form of care that is particularly effective for sensitive or complex cases.
To complement this, Alex also makes use of advanced dry needling techniques where appropriate, helping to reduce muscle tension, enhance circulation, and promote quicker recovery. This integrative approach ensures that every treatment is tailored to the individual, focusing not only on pain relief but also on addressing the underlying causes of discomfort.
In his Malvern osteopathy practice, Alex has a strong interest in treating patients experiencing headaches, neck and back pain, pregnancy-related conditions, jaw and cranio-dental/orofacial concerns, and stress-related tension. He is also deeply passionate about supporting musicians, having a personal understanding of the physical and mental demands that playing instruments can place on the body. Whether it is posture-related strain from long practice sessions, repetitive use injuries, or performance-related pain, Alex enjoys helping musicians find relief and return to their craft with greater ease and energy.
Alex believes that osteopathy plays a key role in enhancing quality of life, whether for people recovering from injury, managing chronic pain, or simply looking to move with more comfort and freedom. By addressing both symptoms and underlying dysfunctions, he works towards lasting outcomes that allow patients to return to the activities they love.
Outside the clinic, Alex enjoys immersing himself in Melbourne’s food and coffee culture, recording and playing music, and spending quality time with his young family.
Osteopathic Techniques at Our Malvern Clinic
At our Malvern osteopathy clinic, we use a wide range of evidence-informed osteopathic techniques to restore movement, ease pain, and support your body’s natural ability to heal. Every treatment is tailored to your individual needs, with a focus on improving function, reducing discomfort, and promoting long-term wellbeing.
Direct Techniques
Structural and Functional Osteopathic Techniques
These approaches are often used for musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, or postural issues. They aim to restore function to the joints, muscles, and connective tissues of the spine and limbs.
Articulation/Mobilisation
Gentle, controlled movements that restore normal motion to joints and soft tissues. Articulation can involve stretching or mobilising to reduce stiffness and improve flexibility.Manipulation with Thrust (HVLA)
Also known as High Velocity, Low Amplitude, this involves a precise and quick movement over a small distance in a joint. Sometimes producing a small “click” or “pop,” HVLA is effective for restricted spinal joints and can also be applied to the limbs.Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
A cooperative technique where you gently push or resist against your osteopath’s guidance. This helps release tight muscles, restore joint movement, improve posture, and increase flexibility.Functional Release
Positions a joint or area into ease, allowing the nervous system and surrounding tissues to relax. Often used for improving mobility and reducing stiffness in both joints and soft tissues.
Soft Tissue and Complementary Techniques
To support joint and functional work, we also use soft tissue approaches to reduce tension, improve circulation, and restore balanced movement.
Soft Tissue Techniques
Hands-on treatment applied to muscles, fascia, and tendons. This may involve light or firm pressure, stretching, or rhythmic massage to relax muscles, reduce swelling, and improve mobility.Advanced Dry Needling
The use of fine, solid needles inserted into specific muscles to release tension and deactivate trigger points. Unlike acupuncture, dry needling is anatomy-based and used for muscular pain, stiffness, and restricted movement.
Indirect Techniques
Gentle and Subtle Osteopathic Approaches
Many patients in Malvern seek osteopathy not only for pain relief but also for stress reduction, nervous system balance, and long-term support. These gentle techniques are particularly helpful for headaches, pregnancy-related care, jaw issues, and patients who prefer a lighter touch.
Cranial Osteopathy (Osteopathy in the Cranial Field)
A calming and restorative approach that works with the body’s natural craniosacral rhythm, created by subtle movements in tissues and fluids. Despite the name, cranial osteopathy benefits the whole body and is especially effective for headaches, stress, pregnancy care, and paediatric patients.Balanced Ligamentous Tension (BLT)
A precise, gentle technique that addresses the ligaments supporting your joints. By guiding the joint into a position of ease, BLT allows the body’s natural forces to restore balance and improve mobility. It is particularly useful for both acute injuries and long-term restrictions.Strain–Counterstrain
A very gentle method where the osteopath positions the body into maximum comfort, allowing tight or painful muscles to relax. This encourages the nervous system to release restrictions, easing pain and restoring movement.