What is Osteopathy?

Treatment with Results

The body is a dynamic unit of function

All body systems are interrelated and ever changing. These systems cooperate to make your body work. Dysfunction in one area can cause dysfunction and compensation in other areas.

Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated

The way your body feels and works is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structure. Pain, dysfunction, and issues with performance are linked to dysfunction at some physical location in the body.

The body is self-healing and
self-regulating

The body wants to be healthy and function at its highest capacity. If the structure is operating correctly, the body is designed to heal injury and repair dysfunction. If the structure is out of alignment, this ability is inhibited.

Delivering long-term results to dysfunction and pain goes beyond understanding the symptoms.
We aim to understand the root cause.

Proven Process

Full body assessment

With highly sensitive palpation skills and a detailed understanding of anatomy, your practitioner will begin each treatment with a full body assessment. This includes a discussion of what brought you to treatment, followed by a hands-on assessment of how your body is presenting today.

Locate root of dysfunction

The assessment leads your practitioner from the symptoms that brought you to treatment, to the cause of those symptoms. For example - shoulder pain could stem from the shoulder itself, or, because the body is a dynamic unit of function it could be rooted elsewhere in the body, like the ankle or hip.

Treatment

Treatment begins by progressively unloading larger lines of tension, and ensuring the body is globally realigned. As the course of treatment progresses your practitioner will dive deeper into more specific areas of restriction, working locally in the given region. Finally, the more focused areas of dysfunction can be addressed.

Changes from treatment can be felt immediately, or may take several days to integrate. Being patient with our body is an important step of the process.

The path to health is not always a straight line, and injuries or setbacks can occur. Treatment is always individualized and adaptable to your needs. Older injuries and dysfunctions can take more time to resolve, as the body has adapted and compensated for them over time and will often require more treatments.

Frequently Asked

  • Manual osteopathy can help with general aches and pains, neck and back pain, sleep trouble, migraines and headaches, digestive issues, post surgery recovery, traumatic injury recovery, and a multitude of other scenarios.

  • Pain is not a typical outcome of osteopathic treatment, and osteopathy is a safe modality. Treatments do not involve high velocity adjustments. Depending on what is going on for your body there may be tightness or discomfort in some positions - similar sensations to stretching your muscles when you are a bit stiff, or releasing a tense muscle. If you are uncomfortable at any time, please communicate with your practioner.

  • Filling out your intake form to the fullest of your ability and comfort level is a great start! This allows your practitioner to prepare for your appointment, and means more time will be spent getting to the root of what brought you to osteopathy.

    Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Please do not wear skirts, dresses, or anything too restrictive. If you need to bring a change of clothes, time will be available for you to change before your appointment.

    Please arrive at the clinic 5-10 minutes before your dedicated appointment time.

  • Your practitioner will greet you in the waiting room and bring you to your treatment room. After introducing themselves, together you will review any highlights or specific concerns from your intake form, and you will each have an opportunity to ask whatever clarifying questions there may be to ensure there is a mutual understanding of your priorities and goals of treatment.

    Delivering long-term results to dysfunction and pain goes beyond understanding the symptoms. With highly sensitive palpation skills and a detailed understanding of anatomy, your practitioner will begin each treatment with a full body assessment. Locating the root cause of an issue rather than only treating the presenting pain or symptoms is at the heart of osteopathic treatment, and what is treated may not align with where you are feeling pain. For example - shoulder pain could stem from the shoulder itself, or, because the body is a dynamic unit of function it could be rooted elsewhere in the body, like the ankle or hip. Treatment includes application of gentle manipulation, and coordinating changes with the rest of the body so it can adapt to treatment as effectively as possible.

  • This is completely tailored to you and your needs. The goal of osteopathy is to return the body to its optimal state for health and balance, and more treatments are not necessarily better. Oftentimes the frequency of appointments will be higher near the beginning of your treatments, and taper to periodic maintenance or as needed.

  • Your initial intake will be 45 minutes to ensure your practitioner answers any questions you have and has a holistic understanding of your needs and health history. Subsequent appointments will be 20-30 minutes. Treatments are outcome-based rather than time-based, and your practitioner will not treat for longer than is right for your body.

  • As a member of OSTCAN my services are covered by benefits plans with osteopathic coverage, and is covered under HSA programs. We recommend confirming the details of your plan!

  • Osteopathic treatment can provide great relief after an MVA or workplace injury, but we do not take care of claims.