Advertising your osteopathy clinic
AHPRA's ad rules for osteopaths turn on one test. Is the condition you name a muscle, bone or joint problem? We checked 56 clinic sites against it.
What AHPRA says
AHPRA says the evidence does not back osteopaths treating other conditions. These claims draw lots of complaints. If you name one, say which muscle or joint part you treat.
What we measured
We searched for osteopath plus a city, with no condition words, on 17 September 2026. Then a person read every hit our scanner found.
The main finding
They named colic, reflux, asthma or a similar condition with no muscle or joint link. Only 3 made the link properly. In all, 30 of 56 tripped a flag.
Where your risk sits
On 8 sites, pages named colic, reflux, feeding, sleep or constipation with no muscle or joint link. Of those, 6 named colic or reflux.
The word to drop
Osteopaths cannot register as specialists, so the word suggests one they do not hold. AHPRA suggests this line: 'I have a particular interest in musculoskeletal issues in children.'
The easiest fix
Doctor is not a protected title. But if your Dr is not a medical doctor, name your profession. AHPRA's guidelines give this exact form.
A 15-minute check
Search for conditions like colic, reflux and asthma. Search for special, then for Dr. Fix each hit with a muscle or joint link, a particular interest, or the word Osteopath.
Tap for the full measurement and the rewrite table