ARHG accredited alternative therapy and ancillary services

recognising providers whose service to health fund members meets the highest professional standards.

ARHG News

Private Health Insurance Audit Module

We have launched our second provider training module ‘Private health insurance audits’ on our training platform, QualiPHI. The course was created following feedback from providers who wanted more information on audits, and we’re confident that the course will demystify the process for them and provide practical ways to meet private health insurance requirements. For more information or to register, please visit the QualiPHI website.

Training module for alternative therapy providers

Our 'Alternative therapy providers and private health insurance' training module has been created to help alternative therapy providers understand the private health insurance industry and how clients can claim for their services.
The module is delivered through our online training platform, QualiPHI.
For more information or to register, please visit the QualiPHI website.
We have also created a library of some of the resources used in the module that providers can access on our website. They can be viewed Resource Library

ARHG Accredited Therapies

Acupuncture: Acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific points on the body, usually by the insertion of needles. Acupuncture is based on the theories and principles of traditional Chinese medicine and the balance of body energy. Chinese medical writings describe acupuncture channels which transport energy (Qi) around and through the body.

Acupuncturists, after diagnosis and with consent, apply stimulation at precise acupuncture points to aid the body's own defensive and self healing systems, thus promoting and maintaining good health. Acupuncture can provide positive symptomatic management with its mechanisms of action showing an effect on physiological, neurological, circulatory, inflammatory, hormonal and cytokine activity. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine are holistic in application, drug free and will often include dietary and lifestyle advice.

The Alexander Technique: The Alexander Technique (AT) is a re-education of basic co-ordination patterns underlying all movement, which can reduce functional disability and pain and prevent further injury when practiced in daily activities. AT can be taught in-person (one-on-one), in a group environment or live online.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Chinese Herbal Medicine is based on the theories and principles of traditional Chinese medicine and the balance of body energy. Chinese herbs are used in specific individualised formulas to bring balance to the body through their actions including cooling, heating, nourishing, eliminating toxins, stimulating and moving obstructed Qi flow. Rarely used in isolation, Chinese herb formulas combine herbs to provide a synergistic healing action as informed by the Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Chinese Herbal Medicine is holistic in application and treatment will often include dietary and lifestyle advice.

Counselling: Professional counselling is a safe and confidential collaboration between qualified counsellors and clients to promote mental health and wellbeing, enhance self-understanding, and resolve identified concerns. Counsellors must be registered with either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Hypnotherapy: Hypnotherapy uses guided hypnosis, a state of deep relaxation, and focused attention, to access the patient's subconscious mind for positive change. It is used to treat or change specific behaviours, habits, and physical conditions by addressing conflicting emotions, attitudes and beliefs. Hypnotherapy is used in a variety of conditions and assists with anxiety control, stress-related illness, motivation, attitude change, self-esteem, self-confidence, depression, eating disorders, fears and phobias, memory training, panic attacks, performance anxiety, sexual dysfunction, sleep disorders, stuttering, study problems, trauma, pain control, irritable bowel syndrome, personal development and the cessation of smoking, nail biting and thumb sucking.

Massage Therapy: Massage Therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissue of whole-body areas to bring about generalised improvements in health, such as relaxation or improved sleep, or specific physical benefits, such as relief of muscular aches and pains.

Mental Health Social Work: Mental Health Social Work Services are provided to service users with mild to complex mental health issues. Service users are supported through counselling and psychotherapy, using a range of evidence-based strategies, including focussed psychological strategies, depending on the needs of the individual. Mental Health Social Workers are equipped to help service users identify and address social and other environmental issues to improve their quality of life. This may involve individual, family and/or group counselling, in person or via telehealth. Services are provided to service users in the community across the full continuum of mental health issues, including prevention, early intervention and treatment. Mental Health Social Workers focus on a whole-of-person perspective, recognising the broader support requirements for an individual experiencing mental illness and the impact on friends, family, work and education.

Myotherapy: Myotherapy is the assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal conditions, which may cause muscular dysfunction and pain thus affecting movement and mobility. Myotherapy involves a comprehensive physical evaluation and an integrated therapeutic approach of affected muscles, joints, nerves and associated viscera (organs) based on the individual’s needs. Myotherapy is used in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and pathologies, to restore optimal pain free movement; it is also used for preventative management and patient education. Myotherapists have an extensive knowledge of anatomy, pathology and musculoskeletal (acute and chronic) conditions that can be treated to restore the muscles, fascia and biomechanics. Myotherapists utilise a range of treatment techniques including myofascial dry needling, trigger pint release, electro-mechanical therapies (TENS), cupping, joint mobilization and various soft tissue manipulations, thermal (heat/cold) therapies, passive and active stretching and corrective rehabilitative exercise to restore and maintain the normal integrity of the soft tissue structures (muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia).

Naturopathy: Naturopathy is a way of treating illness which uses the natural healing forces present in the human body. It is a multi-disciplinary approach to health care that recognises the body's innate power to heal itself. It uses Herbal Medicines, Homoeopathics, Vitamins and Minerals, Flower Essences, Nutritional advice, performance of Massages and other Remedial Body Therapies.

Nutrition: Nutritional medicine is based on the traditions of food as medicine and dietary planning. It combines these disciplines with scientific advances in the treatment, management and prevention of disease using food and nutrient as therapeutics.

Pilates: Pilates is a mind–body exercise method that improves efficient movement patterns, postural awareness, co-ordinated strength, flexibility, and respiratory function. It enhances physical function by supporting strength, alignment, balance, range of motion, breathing efficiency, and overall functional capacity.

Pilates is also used to prevent and manage injuries and chronic conditions by reducing pain, improving mobility, and supporting musculoskeletal health. Its mindful, purposeful movement approach further promotes mental wellbeing. It can be performed “on the mat”, on specialised Pilates equipment (often utilising springs for resistance and challenge) and can incorporate the use of small props.

Remedial Therapy: Remedial Therapy is the systematic assessment and treatment of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissues of the body to assist in rehabilitation, pain and injury management. It is performed to create favourable conditions for the body to return to normal health after injury and is defined by the premise that the treatment can reasonably reverse certain physical effects a patient may be presenting.

A range of manual therapy techniques may be employed in treatment, such as deep connective tissue massage, trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques, direct and indirect myofascial techniques, and neuromuscular facilitation, as well as techniques ranging from Swedish to specialised massage for athletes, babies, and pregnant women. Specialists may also practice An Mo Tui Na and Shiatsu Techniques to achieve improvement throughout the body. Aromatherapy and holistic approaches such as Kinesiology may also be used.

An Mo Tui Na is traditional Chinese Remedial Massage; a discipline of Chinese medicine guided by Chinese medicine theories and principles on treatment of various conditions. It includes a range of soft tissue techniques and manipulations. A body work therapy that not only provides generalised improvements in health, muscle aches and pain but is also employed in the treatment of health conditions when pressure is applied to specific acupuncture points (acupressure) to aid relief.

Shiatsu: Shiatsu Massage is a therapeutic bodywork that originated in Japan, founded on the principles of East Asian Medicine. Like other massage techniques, Shiatsu Massage therapists use fingers, thumbs, elbows, palms, knees and feet to apply pressure to different areas of the body to restore balance. Treatments may include stretches, supported joint articulations, structural alignment checks and muscle release techniques. On a physical level this can improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. The autonomic nervous system is helped as deep-seated tension is released from the muscles and stored toxins can be processed. On a subtle level Shiatsu allows the receiver to drop into a deeper relaxed state which supports the body’s inherent ability to heal and regenerate. Shiatsu can address acute symptoms whilst improving the general health of a client, prevent further illness through regulating the autonomic nervous system and support the immune system.

Common concerns Shiatsu therapists help clients address include stress and sleep issues, headaches, respiratory problems, management of symptoms and discomfort from chronic illness, pain (acute and chronic), women’s health and musculoskeletal issues. The effectiveness of Shiatsu in maintaining balance may be supported with recommendations regarding diet, yoga, meditation and exercise as part of a holistic approach to wellness.

Tai Chi: Tai Chi (Taijiquan) is a traditional Chinese internal martial art that integrates slow, deliberate movements with co-ordinated breathing, postural alignment, and focused mental awareness. It is practiced for its combined benefits in health, meditation, and martial application, emphasising balance, relaxation, and efficient body mechanics rather than force or speed.

At its core, Tai Chi is grounded in principles of yin–yang theory, Qi (energy) cultivation, and mind–body harmony, making it both a physical discipline and a philosophical practice.

Western Herbal Medicine: Western Herbal Medicine is the use of plants for healing purposes. Many conventional drugs originate from plant sources. A century ago, most of the few effective drugs were plant based. Examples include aspirin (from willow bark), digoxin (from foxglove), quinine (from cinchona bark) and morphine (from the opium poppy).

Yoga: Yoga is a practice originating in India in which qualified practitioners prescribe postures, breathing techniques, and focused awareness to cultivate physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. Therapeutic benefits are well supported by clinical evidence, and as a comprehensive system, yoga often provides whole-person advantage in addition to treating the symptoms initially presented.

ARHG Accredited Professional Associations

ARHG Participating Health Funds