Osteopathy

About Osteopathy Therapy

To begin, Osteopathy is a relatively new form of manual therapy that has spread throughout the world and is very common in Europe. Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (OMP) is the designation assigned to people who have completed the program here in Canada. Though it is currently not a regulated profession, some extended insurance plans provide coverage for Osteopathic treatments provided by an OMP.

Osteopathy concentrates on manual techniques to manipulate or influence many of the tissues of the body. Therefore an osteopath can work with:

• muscles
• bones
• joints
• ligaments
• tendons
• blood vessels
• fascia
• connective tissue and organs

Furthermore, this form of treatment uses a wide variety of techniques to create an effect within the desired tissue: Muscle Energy Techniques, Facilitated Positional Release, Ligamentous Articular Strain (LAS) technique, oscillatory technique, Craniosacral Therapy, as well as Visceral Manipulation.

What is this type of Treatment for?

Osteopathy is in fact very efficient at working with physical dysfunctions and chronic pain. For example:

• Back Pain
• Hip Pain
• Neck Pain
• Inflammation
• As well as many more

Unlike some other forms of manual therapy, osteopathy is usually performed in a gentle manner and does not typically increase the patient’s pain. As a result, it is a suitable method of treatment for individuals who have chronic pain or sensitivity, seniors, and even children.

Combined with other forms of treatment (Chinese acupuncture, medicinal herbs or exercise), osteopathy can then be an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan. For example, a person has chronic low back pain accompanied with constipation. Along with medicinal herbs for the constipation, gently working manually with the colon may then reduce pressure on the back. Also, joint mobilization of the lumbar spine may help the stiffness and improve the state of the nerves from the spine.