What is Osteopathy?
The application of osteopathic manual therapy is broad, leading it to be hard to explain and define. This is because the treatment considers all body tissues and systems, as well as their integration. It is defined by logic, not by technique. Not by what is done but by why it is done. This rational is what sets osteopathic treatment apart from other therapies which appeal to select systems, tissues, or areas of the body, such as massage therapy, chiropractic, reiki, physiotherapy and other manual therapies. The practitioner uses the position of the bones and the nature and range of motion afforded them, and between them, as a frame work to measure the impact on neurological and physiological systems, and the level of strain the body is functioning to accommodate. Influences on the soft tissue through reflexes, fascial tensions, or from other joints, can shift the boney structure out of alignment, compressing or tractioning other vessels, lymphatic pathways and/or nerves. It is the job of the osteopath to identify the cause of the symptom(s) (ie. pain, restriction, inflammation etc.) through a differential diagnosis, and treat it to alleviate the symptom. Although some elements of treatment may resemble other modalities, such as gentle stretching, compression, muscle energy/PIR, rocking etc, the osteopathic approach is defined by the principals of practice, considerations of all body systems in assessment, and their interconnectedness and respect to the self regulating and self healing capacity of the body. The needs of the body defines the form of treatment they receive.
Classical Osteopathic manual therapy emerged under the accomplished American physician Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917) as a means of providing relief and health care at a time when medications likely did more harm than good.
For more details and history visit the OSTCAN website:
Video link
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What's the logic?
Osteopathy is the investigation and treatment of the cause of your ailment, with an understanding of the functional mechanisms lie within, and are therefore influenced by, structural misalignment. The practitioner measures the position of your skeleton and mobility of it's joints, deduces the influences responsible for this misalignment, and treats them according to their mechanism without forcing change. Think of a house. Good foundation, good walls, good electrical and plumbing…everything works! Crooked foundation, slanted walls, bent plumbing pipes, tension on the electrical cords…problems...
The "house" (body) is unique, living, and growing. Because we are living beings and exposed to the stresses of life (emotional, physical, traumatic), our bodies are impacted by what we do and don't do. The issue could be in one part of the house or in the foundation. Only a full assessment will determine where treatment is needed.
What's the training?
4 years of study including clinical and classroom
Anatomy ✔️
Physiology ✔️
Mechanics ✔️
Laws of nature ✔️
eg. gravity, fluid dynamics etc.
How is it different?
Professional manual therapists can differ in their formal and self directed education. However generally speaking...
- physiotherapists will primarily treat the area of complaint and may use machines
- chiropractors will primarily manipulate the spine and likely "pop"/"crack"/cavitate the vetebral joints
- massage therapists will primarily manipulate muscles and soft tissues
- osteopaths consider all systems and tissues, and their interconnected effects, working to improve the area of greatest dysfunctional influence on the body
What to expect
Your posture and mobility will be assessed. To determine the course of treatment and confirm it's effect. Wear comfortable clothing that allows for your full range of motion so it does not inhibit this process.
You may be treated seated, on your back, on your stomach, on your side or even standing depending on your needs. Treatment can be adapted to any one position as needed and should not elicit pain. Every treatment considers and addresses the needs of that body on the day of treatment each time.
Response to treatment varies both during the appointment and after. It's helpful to discuss your expectations and previous experiences during your initial treatment so your needs are best understood and met.
Who can benefit?
Treatment can benefit people of all ages and conditions.