FAQ
The Osteopathic Manual Practitioner reasons from his mechanical knowledge of anatomy. The mechanical principles on which osteopathy is based are as old as the universe. Effects of abnormalities of the human body, or the so-called diseases, is dependent on the nerve and blood supply to the region affected.
Overall health is achieved only when you address the needs of the whole body. This is the philosophy behind Osteopathy - the whole body must function together for optimal health. If one part of the body is compromised or injured, then the rest of the body must adapt and compensate for this, eventually leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness and other health conditions. Osteopathy aims to restore balance and promote your body's natural ability to self heal. It is widely recognised as a safe and effective treatment and a form of preventative medicine.
Osteopathic treatment is available to everyone and can benefit people from all walks of life. People of all ages including the geriatric and paediatric population can benefit greatly from Osteopathy. Various approaches to treatment help to ease pain, improve posture, reduce swelling and tissue tension, and promote healing. In contrast to active sportspeople, those with more sedentary careers may also experience conditions which may be eased by osteopathic treatment.
Pregnant women can benefit from Osteopathic treatment as it helps to improve the positioning and alignment of the spine, easing aches and pains from pressure or compensation.
Arthritis is a common condition that affects more than 1 out of 5 people worldwide. Arthritis can be extremely painful causing aches and pains in joints throughout the body. This leads to increased stiffness, reduced motion, and compensation patterns throughout the body. Osteopathic treatment aims to put the body in a more balanced position to take tension and pressure off areas of stress.
Osteopathic treatment aims to:
Find and remove the underlying cause of pain
Reduce pain and stiffness in muscles and joints
Increase the range of motion in the joints
Align all structures in the body
Reduce tension in the body
Increase circulation
Decrease blood pressure
Decrease stress
Improve sleep
Improve breathing
Help the body adapt to hormonal or structural changes (puberty and pregnancy)
Improve recovery time from injury or trauma (physical or emotional)
+ many more benefits!
Osteopathy focuses on total body health by treating and maximising the function of the musculoskeletal system. This can then positively influence other body systems like the respiratory, nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners will identify the underlying cause, rather than just treating your symptoms - ultimately providing lasting solutions. Overall health is achieved only when you address the needs of the whole body. The whole body must function together for optimal health. If one part of the body is compromised or injured, then the rest of the body must adapt and compensate for this, eventually leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness and other health conditions.
Osteopathy aims to restore balance and promote your body's natural ability to self heal and self regulate. It is widely recognised as a safe and effective form of treatment. Treatment can reduce pain, prevent the risk of injury and help you recover faster.
Initial assessment and treatment is approximately 30-40 minutes. Follow up treatments can range in duration depending on what your body requires. Each change made to the body will have a direct and indirect affect on all surrounding structures. It is important to avoid over-treating during a single session. The body needs time to adjust to the new changes.
The number of treatments will vary for each individual in order to receive the full benefit of Osteopathy. There are a number of considerations taken into account when providing a treatment plan. Recent injury or trauma can be addressed in a few sessions. Longstanding injuries or medical complications are likely to require more sessions.
All osteopathic treatments are covered through all major insurance providers and extended health benefits in Ontario. Click here for more information.
Treatment will affect everyone differently. Post-treatment effects will depend on the treatment provided by the practitioner. After the treatment, patients may experience improvement with digestion, improved sleeping patterns, increase in energy, increased range of motion, decrease in pain and tightness.
Improving range of motion results in better circulation, this will lead to an increase in overall health and performance. Since Osteopathy is a non-surgical treatment, it offers pain management without the worry of taking time off work or missing your favourite activities. Repeat sessions allow for increased recovery times.
Pain is often the last thing to show up and the first thing to leave. To many, pain is the main and only indicator that something is wrong. Osteopathy is not only a form of treatment for pain management but it is also a great preventative option. The body adapts to different kinds of stress on a daily basis. We are constantly changing each and every day through sport, fitness, work, home life, and leisure time. Our lifestyle defines who we are and impacts our body’s structure. Osteopathic treatment is just as important for keeping your body in alignment as going for an oil change every 5000km.
You do not need a specific reason to come for treatment. Every session consists of a full body assessment, where the practitioner searches the body for restrictions. Each day we experience many different kinds of stress: emotional stress, physical stress, psychological stress, psychosocial stress, and psychospiritual stress. These stresses affect our nervous system which will eventually make changes to our musculoskeletal system. If left untreated, the body will begin to compensate for these changes, which may lead to pain and discomfort later in life.
You do not have to be referred by a Doctor or have a Doctor’s note to be accepted for treatment. Some insurance companies may have this as a requirement if you are planning on claiming your treatment, be sure to check your benefit plan.
If you are not sure you are safe to treat or that treatment is right for you, please speak with your Doctor. If for whatever reason, an Osteopathic manual practitioner doesn’t believe you are safe to treat, they may refer you out to a physician. It is very important that you are safe to treat.
If you need to reschedule your appointment, it is asked that you give at least 24 hours notice for any changes. Click here or email btosteopathy@gmail.com.