Dr Christina Fraval
Osteopath (B.App.Sc(Clin.Sc).B.Osteo.Sc)
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapist
Breathing Educator
Christina has been practising osteopathy for over 20 years. She completed the double Bachelor degree in Clinical Science and Osteopathic Science at RMIT university in 2003. After graduating Christina moved to Canberra to work under world renowned paediatric osteopath Dr Maxwell Fraval. For six years Christina worked full time at Dr Fraval’s clinic treating a wide variety of clients of all ages. This included pregnant mothers, babies, children, some with learning difficulties, and adults suffering from chronic pain, migraine, neuraligia and many other conditions.
Her experience and knowledge of Osteopathy has both breadth and depth due to the range of clients she saw, and the constant discussions she had with Dr Fraval about clients and treatments. A big part of her work in Canberra involved paediatric work with infants suffering latching issues, breastfeeding problems, colic, reflux, plagiocephaly, tongue tie issues to name a few.
In 2010 she moved back to Melbourne to start a family. Since then she has worked in various osteopathic clinics including Health Point where she worked with renowned paediatric osteopath Dr Dion Kulak. She has worked as part of the Children’s Osteopathic Centre for the past 10 years.
Christina has continued with her professional development over this time. She has completed many extensive osteopathic courses over the years and is highly trained in Osteopathy in the cranial field. She has also completed phases 1-6 in Biodynamic Osteopathy with Dr Manulea Da Rin and Dr Robyn Seamer. Christina has a level 2 certificate of Global Posturology and is very proficient in foot analysis and fitting posture control insoles. While in Canberra Christina completed a diploma in Practical Herbal Therapy through the Australian College of Phytotherapy which she integrates within her osteopathic practice.
Christina has completed the orofacial myofunctional therapy course run by world renowned Orofacial myologist Sandra Coulson. In addition to this focus on mouth, tongue, lips, face, suck and swallow, she has also completed courses relating to breathing issues in kids and adults, snoring issues, teeth grinding, mouth breathing issues and kids breathing programs. She has completed training in the Buteyko Based Breathing program and trained with Tess Graham Breathability physiotherapist to further her knowledge in breath work, sleep apnoea and snoring.
Christina loves working at as part of The Children’s Osteopathic Centre and The Integrated Osteopathic Centre and as part of a team. She collaboratives extensively with wholistic myofunctional dentists, speech therapists, lactation consultants, maternal child health nurses, ENT’s and more.
Christina also lectures and teaches other osteopaths, she has been invited to lecture on numerous collaborative courses focusing on cranial osteopathy, breathing education, temporomandibular dysfunction, Buteyko Breathing and sleep medicine.
Christina has three boys and enjoys the outdoors, mountain bike riding, yoga, camping and spending time with family and friends.
Some of Christina’s post graduate studies
- Biodynamic Cranial Courses Phases 1-6
- Paediatrics in Cranial Osteopathy
- Breastfeeding issues and tongue
- Paediatric Feeding Essentials
- Orofacial Myofunctonal therapy
- Diploma of Proficiency in Practical Herbal Therapy
- SCTF Learning Difficulties using Cranial Techniques
- SCTF Fundamentals
- SCTF Heart and Arteries using Cranial Techniques
- Children’s Breathing Course
- Beuteyko Based Breathing Program
- Global Posturology Level 2, posture control foot insoles
- Primitive Reflexes Course