What is Osteopathy ?
Osteopathy is a gentle manual therapy safe to use on people of all ages from newborn to seniors. Canadian Osteopaths are referred to as Osteopathic Manual Practitioners.
A session will consist of an evaluation to determine the state of the body and the response to any previous treatments. This is followed by a hands-on manual therapy, working with the bones, joints and soft tissues of the body including the tendons, ligaments, muscles and fascia. Osteopaths are also trained to work with the Cranio-sacral system and the viscera (organs and supporting tissues).
Following treatment, there can be a recovery period of up to a few days while the body reintegrates and rebalances itself into an improved state of homoeostasis and health. You can read my article about this subject : The body’s reaction after an osteopathic session.
Osteopathy for who ?
For Baby
The birth experience can leave many babies with overt or underlying pain.
For Kid
Osteopathy contributes to harmonious development for childrens
For Adult
At work, in your private life, while your exercise, your body incurs a lot of physical and psychological stress.
For Pregnant women
During pregnancy your body undergoes a great amount of change and development to accommodate a growing fetus.
For Senior
Osteopathy aims to restore mobility and quality of life.
For Athlete
Osteopathy treat your pains, to make you recover best and to optimize your performance.
What does Osteopathy treat ?
- Lower Back pain
- Neck pain
- Symphysis pubis dysfunction
- Tailbone pain
- Hip pain
- Concussion
- TMJ
- Alcock Canal Syndrome
- Ankle sprain
- Tendonitis elbow
- Rotator cuff tendinitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Bursitis
- Posture
- Inflammation
- Heartburn
- Hiatal hernia
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Scar tissue
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Migraine
- Headache
- Tinnitus
- Sleeping troubles
- Circulatory disorders
The initial session includes a thorough health history interview and postural analysis during this the therapist will narrow down the areas which need to be addressed during treatment.
Specific tests and techniques are then performed to remove any restrictions and restore the vitality of the affected tissues.
Osteopathic treatments are covered under all government and most private health insurance plans.
Osteopathic Treatment Methods
SOFT TISSUE MANIPULATION
Soft tissue manipulation can be used in many different ways. This method is used to evaluate the condition of tissues, ease restrictions, help the body’s fluids (blood, lymph, etc.) flow smoothly and restore function.
Optimal neuro-vascular flow helps to reduce harmful fluid retention and allows the body’s immune system to work more effectively.
Throughout the treatment, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will continuously check on the state of the body’s tissues. The goal is to gently guide the tissue back to health without over-treating.
CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY
As the gentlest osteopathic technique, Cranial Osteopathy is also one of the most significant.
It is used to assess and treat the mobility of the skull and its contents. It may also be used to assess and treat the spine, sacrum and other parts of the body. The goal of this technique is to adjust the body’s physiology by restoring balance and optimal neuro-vascular flow surrounding the Central Nervous System and all of its autonomic centers.
VISCERAL MANIPULATION
Visceral Manipulation is used to effectively treat organs and viscera of the body, including the lungs, heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, pancreas, intestines, the bladder and the uterus.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will gently move the structures themselves and the fascia that surrounds them to restore full movement.
Applied with gentle pressure, visceral manipulation corrections can improve the mobility of an organ, improve neuro-vascular flow surrounding the organ and ultimately help maximize organ function.
OSTEOPATHIC ARTICULAR TECHNIQUE
The osteopathic articular technique, involving gently moving two joint surfaces, is used to reduce muscle spasms, ease neurological irritations, assist in joint mobility and help reduce pain and discomfort.
It is a less forceful technique than joint manipulation.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will carefully prepare the soft tissues around the treatment area, positioning the patient so that there is minimal (if any) force needed to perform the maneuver.
