Frequently Asked Questions
Please review the frequently asked questions below. If you don’t find the answer to your question, feel free to contact us via phone or email.
General Clinic
What is The Health Formula Clinic?
The Health Formula is an integrative health clinic that brings together the best of Osteopathy and Functional Medicine for a comprehensive approach to natural health care. Lean more.
Where is the clinic located?
The Health Formula is located at 708a Glenhuntly Road, Caulfield South, Melbourne, VIC 3162.
How do I book an appointment?
Booking an appointment is easy. You can either book online, or call us on (03) 9088 2010.
Do you have parking?
Yes. We have plenty of roadside parking outside the clinic on Glenhuntly Road.
Is there disabled access?
Our clinic is situated on the ground floor with a small step at the entrance of the building. If you use a wheelchair please let us know prior to arriving at the clinic and we will help you navigate the step.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept all major credit/debit cards, cash payment and cheque.
We do not accept Amex/American Express.
How do I reschedule an appointment
To reschedule an appointment you can either give the clinic a call on (03) 9088 2010, or you can reschedule online by first cancelling your appointment via the cancellation link on the appointment confirmation/reminder email we we sent you, then making a new appointment via the online booking system. Please note that a 24-hour cancellation policy applies.
How do I cancel an appointment?
To cancel an appointment you can either give the clinic a call on (03) 9088 2010, or you can cancel online by following the cancellation link in your appointment confirmation/reminder email that was sent to you. Please note that a 24-hour cancellation policy applies.
What is your clinic's cancellation policy?
The clinic has a 24-hour cancellation policy that applies to all appointments. Failure to provide 24-hours notice when changing or cancelling appointment times, along with missed appointments, will result in being charged as follows:
At least 24‐hour notice cancellation = No charge
Less than 24‐hour notice cancellation = 50% of appointment cost
Missed appointment (no show) = Full cost of appointment
Osteopathy
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a form of manual medicine that positively influences health by treating and balancing the structural framework of the body. Learn more.
How long is my appointment?
New Patient appointments are 60-minutes and Follow-Up appointments are 30-minutes. We also offer an extended Follow-Up consultation for 45-minutes, which is available for those requiring longer treatments.
What should I wear to my appointment?
Osteopaths conduct a detailed examination of the body, so you will most likely be asked to undress to your underwear. However, if you are uncomfortable with this please tell your practitioner and they will accommodate your needs. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing that is easy to move around in. Ideally, please bring along some shorts/leggings and singlet/sports bra.
How many treatments will I need to see an improvement?
The answer to this question all depends on what sort of problem you have and your specific health or fitness goals.
Some injuries resolve quickly, requiring as little as 1-3 treatments, whereas more complex or severe injuries can take several weeks to recover and may require 4-6 treatments, or more. In these cases, however, improvements are usually noticed after the first few
Some patients with chronic conditions may benefit from on-going management with periodic visits
Either way, our aim is to reduce pain and get you back to full function as quickly as possible!
Can I get a rebate from my health insurance?
Yes. Osteopathy is covered by all major health funds and we have a HICAPS machine onsite for processing on-the-spot rebates.
Is Osteopathy covered by medicare?
In some situations, a Medicare rebate is available for a maximum of 5 Osteopathic treatments per
Do I need a referral to see an Osteopath?
No, anyone can make an appointment with an Osteopath. However, your GP or specialist may recommend osteopathic treatment for certain conditions or problems. If you are unsure as to whether your specific complaint can be helped by Osteopathy, please give us a call and have a chat to one of our friendly practitioners.
Do you accept workcover, TAC and DVA patients?
We can provide services to be paid for by Work Cover, Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) and Traffic Accident Commission (TAC). However, patients must pay for these services on the day of the appointment and then seek reimbursement from these third parties using the invoice we will provide.
If you are intending to have your treatment costs claimed through Work Cover, DVA or TAC, please let us know when booking your first appointment with us. Please bring all the relevant information (insurers details and claim number), so we can make this process easy for you.
Is Osteopathic treatment suitable during pregnancy?
Yes. Osteopathy is well suited for the treatment of a variety of pregnancy-related musculoskeletal problems, such as back pain and sacroiliac joint problems. The techniques that are used during pregnancy are carefully selected in order to minimise risk. The comfort of the mother is always a priority and we have special pregnancy pillows to maximise comfort while being treated.
Do Osteopaths treat babies and children?
Yes, Osteopathy can be beneficial for babies and children. Dr Michelle Davids has undertaken post-graduate training in Paediatric Osteopathy and is experienced in treating babies and young children.
Is exercise rehabilitation included in my Osteopathy sessions?
Yes. Your Osteopath will provide you with stretching and corrective exercises to help get you back to full function as soon as possible. Dr Rick Davids uses a specific style of exercise rehabilitation called Applied Functional Science and integrates this into his Osteopathy treatments for excellent results.
Should I bring my scans to my appointment?
Yes. Please bring any x-rays, ultrasounds, CT and MRI scans and reports, along with any other test results that are applicable to your presenting complaint.
Functional Medicine
What is Functional Medicine?
Functional Medicine is a science-based and patient-centered approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness, instead of simply treating symptoms. Learn more, or book a Free Discovery Call.
What is the Free Discovery Call?
The Free Discovery Call lasts 30-minutes and is an opportunity for you to discuss your personal health goals, learn more about our Functional Medicine approach and determine if you’re a good candidate for our Health Reset Program.
If you and our team agree that Functional Medicine is a suitable approach for you, the next step is to complete our comprehensive intake forms and attend your Initial Consultation.
Book your Free Discovery Call
What should I expect from my Initial Consultation?
During your initial consultation Dr. Rick will listen to your story, review your intake forms and provide you with his impression on your case.
He’ll also make suggestions for lab testing and outline the steps involved should you wish to go ahead with our Health Reset Program.
Should I prepare anything prior to my Initial Consultation?
Please complete our comprehensive intake form and return this to us (along with any relevant medical records and previous lab test results) at least 48-hours prior to your Initial Consultation.
If you’re not the financial decision maker, we ask that you invite your significant other to join you at your appointment.
How long is the Initial Consultation?
The Initial Consultation is 60 minutes
How much does the Initial Consultation cost?
The Initial Consultation cost $350.
If you decide to sign up to a program, the cost of your Initial Consultation will be take off the cost of the Health Reset Program.
What is the Health Reset Program?
The Health Reset Program is a 12-week health optimisation program designed to help you overcome chronic disease and achieve amazing health, so you can live your best possible life. Learn more about the program here.
Do you work remotely?
Yes! In fact, all of our Functional Medicine services do not require an in-person visit and are available remotely via phone or video conferencing software.
Can I email the The Health Formula team with questions?
Yes, once you are enrolled into our program we would like you to keep us updated with your progress and ask any questions/concerns you have. This allows us to support and guide you and help you stay on track.
Don’t forget to make use of our Facebook group, where you can post questions and share your experiences with other health seekers.
Email Etiquette
Patients going through a Functional Medicine program have unlimited email access to Dr Rick Davids and The Health Formula team. However, if an email question or request is deemed by one of our staff to be too complicated for a response via email they may, at their discretion, require that the patient schedule an in-person visit, or phone consultation.
How much should I budget for lab testing?
A core principle of Functional Medicine is ‘test, don’t guess’. By becoming our patient, you will have access to direct lab pricing (no added fees), which ensures you’ll recieve the lowest price possible.The cost of testing varies depending on the type of tests and how many tests are ordered. On average, you should budget between $500 – $1,500+.
Please note that lab test fees are not included in the cost of our Health Reset Program.
What if my partner/family member wants to join me – do you offer family discounts?
Yes, we actively encourage additional family members to join. We offer a 10% discount for each family member that joins the program.
How does the lab testing work?
Lab testing is typically completed at home with the exception of blood work, which requires a blood draw at a collection centre. You will receive detailed instructions on how to perform the tests correctly. Payment for lab testing is paid directly to the lab.
Is Functional Medicine and/or functional laboratory testing covered by Medicare or my private health insurance?
At this stage, Functional Medicine services are not covered by Medicare or private health insurance.
Other than some of the basic blood tests, which can sometimes be ordered by your GP, functional lab testing is also not covered by Medicare or private health insurance and is thus an out-of-pocket investment.
It’s Time To Feel Amazing!