What is Osteopathy?
A precise and gentle manual therapy discipline.
A holistic approach that views each person as a unique and integrated whole.
Identifies and treats structural restrictions in the body.
Promotes optimal functioning and healing in people of all ages.
The Four Principles of Osteopathy
The philosophy of Osteopathy is based on four basic principles:
Structure governs function
Each structure in the body supports the body’s functions.
The rule of the artery is absolute
The natural flow of the body’s fluids – lymphatic, vascular and neurological – must be preserved and maintained.
The functional unit of the body
The human body is the sum of its parts. Body, mind, and spirit work in harmony to create optimal health.
The natural inherent autoregulation property of the body
The body possesses the natural ability to heal itself.
What does an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner do?
Identifies and treats the most restricted areas of the body.
Addresses the root cause of the problem.
Works with your body using a highly refined sense of touch.
Promotes the body's natural ability to heal itself.
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Osteopathic Techniques
Using various manual assessment and technique modalities, Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work to identify and ease restrictions, constrictions and pain; reduce swelling; improve tissue mobility; and promote proper function and healing in people of all ages. There are four main types of techniques used in Osteopathy: soft tissue manipulation, Osteopathic articular technique, cranial Osteopathy, and visceral manipulation.
Soft tissue manipulation
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.
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.
Cranial Osteopathy
It is used to assess and treat the mobility of the cranium 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. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners achieve this by treating the body’s inherent biorhythm. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners trained in this technique can feel this rhythm in the patient’s head, spinal cord, in the sacrum, and throughout the rest of the body.
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 maximise organ function.
Neck pain
Back pain
Shoulder pain
Frozen shoulder
Knee pain
Headaches
Sciatica
Digestive issues
What can Osteopathy help with?
Respiratory issues
Stress
Balance issues
TMJ issues
Hip pain
Postural problems
Sleep difficulties
and more!
How can you incorporate Osteopathy into your self-care routine?
Rehabilitation and Recovery
This phase of treatment can be used to address new or ongoing issues that have not yet been resolved. This may take approximately 4-6 sessions; however, this can vary for everyone. Sessions are usually recommended weekly or bi-weekly during this phase.
Prevention and Maintenance
This phase of treatment can be used before you have developed symptoms or after your symptoms have resolved. The goal of this phase is to promote optimal mobility and health to help prevent symptoms from developing. Sessions are usually recommended every 4-12 weeks during this phase.