Manual osteopathy has been gaining increasing recognition and popularity in Canada. In fact, at PhysioNow we are now happy to have welcomed some professionals to our team that offer manual osteopathy services! Many of our patients have not had experience with this profession before, so here’s what you should know about manual osteopathy, and why you should try it!
A Brief Summary
In a nutshell, manual osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body’s structure and function. They believe that the body is designed to be self-regulating and aim to restore bodies back to this state. Similarly to physiotherapists, osteopaths use manual techniques to diagnose and treat a wide range of musculoskeletal issues and promote overall health. Here are 5 benefits of manual osteopathy that our patients love, and why it has been getting more popular recently!
1. Holistic Approach to Health:
Manual osteopathy considers how muscles and bones may affect circulation and the nervous system
One of the primary advantages lies in its holistic perspective towards problems. Unlike more conventional approaches that often focus solely on treating symptoms or the affected area, osteopathy considers the whole person. Manual osteopaths assess not only the location of the primary issue, but also how other parts of the body may be contributing to or affected by the issue. This holistic approach aims to address the root cause of the problem to prevent reoccurrence and/or prevention of future problems.
2. Effective Treatment for Musculoskeletal Conditions:
Manual osteopathy is particularly effective in treating a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Whether it’s low back pain, degeneration in the joints, sports injuries, or repetitive strain injuries, manual osteopathic treatment can help. This includes soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, and muscle energy techniques. Ultimately, manual osteopathy aims to restore the body’s natural ability to self-maintain and heal itself by addressing any disruptions or misalignments.
3. Complementary to other Treatments:
Manual osteopaths can work collaboratively with other health care professionals to achieve patient goals
In Canada, manual osteopathy is often sought as a complementary therapy alongside other treatments. Manual osteopaths can work with other healthcare professionals, including physicians, PTs, RMTs, chiropractors and more to provide integrated care for patients. For example, many of our patients will participate in physiotherapy, osteopathy, and massage therapy all alongside each other. This collaborative approach receives a lot of praise from them as they receive comprehensive treatment for all areas of the body.
4. Personalized Treatment Plans:
Just like other health care plans, manual osteopathic treatment is highly personalized. It will take each patient’s unique factors like health history, lifestyle, and goals into account. Your osteopath will do a detailed whole-body assessment to identify your areas of dysfunction or imbalance. Then, based on these findings, they will develop a personalized treatment plan just for you.
5. Emphasis on Preventive Healthcare:
Beyond treating existing health issues, manual osteopathy also focuses on preventive healthcare. Manual osteopathic principles advocate for their patients to take an active role in maintaining their health. By addressing underlying imbalances, manual osteopathy can help prevent injuries and more chronic conditions from developing.
Choosing Manual Osteopathy
As more Canadians seek holistic and integrative approaches to healthcare, manual osteopathy continues to gain popularity as a health care profession. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or looking for prevention, manual osteopathy may be the next step for you.
Consulting with a qualified manual osteopath can provide further insights into how manual osteopathy can support your current goals or desires. Its holistic philosophy and focus on interconnectedness helps patients feel their best. Book with PhysioNow today for your first manual osteopathy session!
Leave a Reply