Who could benefit from receiving osteopathic treatment?
Simply put, everybody. Though that may induce some healthy skepticism, it all comes down to what the goal of osteopathy really is. That is, to reduce restrictions in the body allowing each individual to be able to express the inner, innate health mechanisms that we all possess. So, whether or not you are experiencing a specific low back pain, chronic headaches, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, just to name a few, the goal is not to focus on those specific issue but rather find what may be restricted in the body that could be leading to imbalances and ultimately the symptoms or dysfunctions being experienced. Osteopathy can also be about prevention and maintenance of health as much as it can be used for treatment of dysfunction.
What happens during an initial osteopathic assessment?
An initial assessment will include a detailed medical history as well as an in-depth conversation about the primary complaint and symptoms that one may be experiencing, as well as a general health history and a discussion surrounding other observations made in the body. Because nothing in the body acts alone, this global picture of health is required to assemble the necessary pieces of information to uncover what is causing the dysfunction. After this, a methodological and comprehensive physical assessment of the body will take place- in standing, sitting, and lying down. The goal of which is to discover the potential restrictions or imbalances that may be preventing the body from expressing its full health potential, or moving the way it was designed.
Is osteopathy covered by insurance?
The short answer- yes.
The long answer- Osteopathy in Canada is not yet regulated, unlike Europe and Australia. There are two associations in Ontario (the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and the Ontario Osteopathic Association) that accept graduates of only specific programs that have been chosen based on WHO criteria for competencies and standards with regards to the training of health care professionals. Insurance companies will cover treatment from those who belong to either association. For more information on the regulation of Osteopathy in Ontario, please visit my associations website at http://www.osteopathyontario.org/about-us#rmjs-5
In the United States, due to the convoluted history since its conception, osteopathy merged with medicine and created a system of “Doctors of Osteopathy" (DO’s). These are people who have completed medical education and also receive training in osteopathic manual therapy, but generally practice as medical doctors. There are only a fraction of DO’s that actually practice the manual side of their trade.
How does osteopathic manual treatment differ from chiropractics or massage?
Acknowledging an outright bias here, the osteopathic perspective stresses the importance anatomical and physiological interrelationships. This, combined with the underlying concept that when everything is moving and functioning the way it was designed, our bodies work pretty darn well.
What sets osteopathic treatment apart from other modalities is that it does a great job at working with the body, rather than working on or against it. Osteopathic touch and techniques are gentle and light, yet present and deep, allowing the practitioner to get in tune with subtle rhythms of expression in the body tissues and structures, and alter them.
Ultimately, treatment is focused on finding areas of restriction or imbalance in the body, and returning ease of motion and freedom of fluid movement, so that the innate expression of health and homeostasis can be expressed from within. We are encouraging the body to behave and function as it was designed to.
What am I suppose to wear to an osteopathic treatment?
One way osteopathic treatment differs from a massage treatment is that there may be a need for patients to be change positions multiple times, from lying down to a seated-upright position or perhaps lying down on their sides. There is also less emphasis on the superficial treatment of muscular tissue, so there is no great need for the use of lotion. For these reasons, it is preferred that during an osteopathic treatment, one dresses in loose-fitting clothing that can easily be moved or worked through. Ideally wear clothing you feel most comfortable in and are able to move in without restriction.
What are the weight capacities of your treatment table?
Treatment tables at each clinic are electrically/hydraulically adjustable, and have a weight capacity of over 1200 lbs. Ben also utilizes a portable treatment table when treating outside of the clinic, which has a weight capacity of 800 lbs (working capacity of 650lbs).