Osteopathy

Put simply, osteopathy is a whole body, hands-on therapy that emphasizes functional improvement. It focuses on how the skeleton, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function as a holistic unit. Because this patient-centred approach is guided by a set of principles (rather than being technique-based), techniques employed by individual practitioners often vary widely. In terms of how I treat, patients often describe my treatments as a blend of chiropractic, physiotherapy, and massage therapy.

There are a lot of similarities although as the name suggests, massage therapy is the core treatment modality used in RMT. Not all osteopathic practitioners use massage, and if they do it is usually a smaller part of their treatment. Another significant difference is that the duration of a standard osteopathic visit is usually shorter than its massage equivalent. Also see ‘What do your treatments involve?’

In British Columbia the term ‘osteopath’ is reserved for osteopathic physicians (DOs), who are medical doctors with manual therapy training. Since I am a manual therapist and not a physician, I’m required to use the term ‘osteopathic practitioner’. That said, in other parts of the world (Australia, NZ, England and Europe) I’d be referred to as an ‘osteopath’.

Unlike in Australia (where I previously practiced), osteopathy is not a registered health profession in Canada. Unfortunately, this means that anyone can say that they practice osteopathy (even without credible training). Therefore, it’s a good idea to check that your osteopathic practitioner has suitable qualifications. One way you can do this is by making sure they’re a member of Osteopathy BC.

Osteopathy BC is the professional body for osteopathic practitioners in British Columbia. Besides promoting osteopathy, they ensure best osteopathic practice standards by requiring members have at least 4 years’ full-time study (or equivalent), maintain continuing professional development (CPD), and abide by a code of ethics.

Yes, we are members of Osteopathy BC.

In British Columbia the term ‘osteopath’ is reserved for osteopathic physicians (DOs), who are medical doctors with manual therapy training. Since I am a manual therapist and not a physician, I’m required to use the term ‘osteopathic practitioner’. That said, in other parts of the world (Australia, NZ, England and Europe) I’d be referred to as an ‘osteopath’.

This depends on which country they trained in. Since osteopathy is a government registered health profession in Australia, all of their osteopathic programs are taught at university. I studied at RMIT University in Melbourne, where I completed a bachelor of applied science (3 years) and a master of osteopathy (2 years). This consisted chiefly of biomedical subjects (e.g. anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology etc.), general healthcare diagnosis, and osteopathic techniques.

There are four major elements of my treatments: education, exercise prescription, management advice, and hands- on treatment (manual therapy). Each treatment varies according to a person’s individual needs. For example, in some cases you may benefit more from education and management advice rather than manual therapy (and vice versa). During the initial consultation we will spend a good deal of time talking about you and your situation, trying to paint as holistic a picture as possible (this also includes your case and medical histories). Next a physical examination is performed covering different areas of the body (not just the symptomatic area) which may include orthopaedic or neurological tests, functional movement screens, and biomechanical, postural, and movement assessments (e.g. range of motion of passive and active movements). The hands-on treatment consists of a range of techniques including massage, stretching, repetitive movements, mobilisation, myofascial release, and other osteopathic techniques like counterstrain, muscle energy technique or gentle techniques designed to relax the nervous system. Finally, I will provide education and advice to help you manage your condition and prescribe one or more movements/exercises to perform at home/work.

This depends on your condition. The more chronic it is, the more clinical management it usually requires. There are other important factors that can also influence your response to treatment, which I will discuss with you during your initial consultation. Even with stubborn conditions though, you will likely feel a difference within 2-3 treatments.

The short answer is ‘yes’. The fast pace of most modern lifestyles means we are often subjected to a constant barrage of physical and psychological stressors. Osteopathic treatment is a great way to buffer yourself against these effects, helping to keep you at your best. As a result, some people choose to book in for regular osteopathic treatments to give themselves extra support. Depending on your individual needs, this could be anywhere from once A month to every 3 months.

I don’t treat infants although I do treat pregnant women and children of school age and above. If you’re looking for someone who specializes in these fields, please let me know and I can provide references.