Osteopathy is a manual form of therapy that emphasizes the relationship between the structure and function of the human body. Osteopathy follows a belief in the body’s ability to self-heal and self-regulate, that if one system is out of balance, it will affect other systems as well. The goal of Osteopathy is to realign the body back to its natural rhythm (state of health).
Osteopathy is based upon four basic principles:
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners recognize a person as an integrated whole. Osteopathic treatments often include treating the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, visceral, reproductive and nervous systems sometimes even within the same treatment.
When all of the body’s components are in balance, a person is complete and in total health. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work to maintain, improve and restore the normal physiological function of interrelated body structures and systems, enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners become the 'facilitators to health'.
The history of osteopathy dates back to the 1870's. First introduced by founder Dr. A.T. Still in Kirksville, Missouri. He was a medical doctor who discovered the link between body, mind and spirit. He saw osteopathy as a science, a philosophy, and a practice.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners use assessment, palpation, manual techniques and modalities, working to identify the cause of the problem. They work to ease restrictions within the body's systems to reduce pain and/or swelling, while improving tissue mobility to promote proper function and healing in people of all ages. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners focus on facilitating the health of muscles,, joints, organs, tissues and lymphatic systems through non-invasive manual therapy, in an effort to strengthen the framework of the body.
By working with the interrelated systems and functions of the human body, manual osteopathic therapy can return the body to normal health so it can maintain it's inherent ability to self-heal and self-regulate.
Osteopathy is a gentle and safe manual therapy that is centred around treating the whole person. This means that your osteopathic practitioner will listen attentively to your issue while taking into account the various factors that can influence pain or discomfort - physical and emotional.
Osteopathic practitioners understand that emotional stress and traumas can be held and maintained in the physical realm of the body and it's tissues; that muscle holds memory. They work with you to help find the cause of your pain.
Osteopathy acts as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medicine.
Every body is different and arrives to pain in a different way and therefore, each treatment is designed for you and your specific needs.
In general, osteopathic treatments are not painful and incorporate gentle movements that are often slow and rhythmic. Sometimes these movements are about easing the structure into proper positioning. Some gentle adjustments may also be part of the treatment. There may be some tender points uncovered during the treatment. Osteopathic treatments may consist of soft tissue (muscles) manipulation, working with and within the fascial layer, muscle energy work, skeletal work (bone), joint work, mobilizations, cranial sacral work, visceral manipulations, breath work with the diaphragm, and even some stretching.
Your first treatment will consist of a health history intake with many questions centred around your health and primary complaint(s). A physical assessment will take place followed by a hands on treatment. The first session is often a mix of assessment and treatment as the practitioner gets to know your body and its restrictions an/or ease of movements.
Subsequent visits will begin with a shorter assessment leading to the treatment.
The frequency of visits is based on your assessment, but generally progress should be felt within the first 4 treatments.
The first follow up visit is usually booked within 7-10 days from the initial visit. Each subsequent visit after that is often scheduled within 7 days. Again, usually by the 4th visit, there is marked progress and further sessions are depending. Many people chose to schedule 'well visits' or regular maintenance ranging from 4 weeks to 8 weeks apart. And some prefer to just book when they feel a tweak or a twinge. Each person is individual and it all depends on how quickly the body responds and what exactly you are looking for from the treatments. Some issues are acute and require less time, some issues are long withstanding issues and require more treatments to unwind the new patterns the body has taken on.
The goal is always to hand you back your health, not to keep you dependent on coming in for treatments!
Over the course of my Osteopathic career, I have treated people from all walks of life, from as young as 2 1/2 weeks old to the age of 93.
I specialize in concussions, prenatal, postnatal care as well as infants, and children, and what I like to refer to as the 'body abusers' - people who push themselves continually, whether they are elite athletes or weekend warriors - they would break themselves regularly, come see me and I would 'Humpty Dumpty' them back together again.
I continue to further myself and my education by taking continuing education courses on various topics and honing my craft.
I thoroughly enjoy what I do for a living!
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