CATHERINE KONOPELKY / DOMP / D.Sc.O / RMT / D.A / B.A / 

WHAT IS MANUAL OSTEOPATHY?

Manual Osteopathy is a non-invasive, manual therapy where cause and effect are observed and treated within the body. Manual Osteopaths are considered engineers of the body to help the body rebalance and restore self-regulation.

"All structures perform best when midline" (Hartman, 1983).

The goal of treatment is to restore alignment, movement, and communication. The body systems treated during manual osteopathic sessions include traditional systems like the cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, and endocrine systems and others systems like the primary respiratory system, postural system, fascial system, cranio-sacral system, and others. Manual Osteopaths blend science and art, they 'find the health and beauty within each patient and organize a treatment from there' (Druelle, 2015).​

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Some conditions treated with manual osteopathy include:​​

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY
In 1874 Dr. Andrew Taylor Still described a form of natural therapy he was uncovering after spending much time living and practicing with Native American Aboriginals. Dr. Still was guided by Nature, the law of cause and effect, and the principle that we are connected to a greater whole.
 
FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT:
1) The Role of the Artery is Absolute. 
2) Structure and Function are Reciprocally Related.
3) The Inherent Auto-Regulation of the Body.
4) The Body Functions as a complete unit. 

The pioneer of Osteopathy in Canada is Philippe Druelle, D.O., (above) manual osteopath, physiotherapist, and homeopath from France. Druelle brought the practice of Osteopathy to Québec and opened the first Osteopathic College in 1981: Le Collège d'Etudes d'Ostéopathie and founded 'The Canadian Foundation for Education and Research in Osteopathy' in 1982. Since then, Druelle has opened Osteopathic Colleges coast to coast as well as Internationally, offering the highest level of Manual Osteopathic training and research. 

IN CANADA 
There are two types of 'Osteopaths' in Canada: Manual Osteopathic Practitioners and Doctors of Osteopathy. 
Manual Osteopathic Practitioners have trained in Canada and have 4 to 8 years of education and research experience. Once graduated from their respective programs, they can be governed by an Association that varies province to province and Manual Osteopathic Practitioners are not regulated by the Federal government. While Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O), receive their training from the United States and are recognized by the Federal government as 'Doctors'. They are governed in a similar way as the physicians and surgeons, they can administer pharmaceuticals and perform surgery but do not typically practice manual or non-surgical treatment options.
 
In Ontario graduates from the Canadian College of Osteopathy (CCO) have the designation: DOMP (Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice) and DScO (Diploma in the Science of Osteopathy). There are several associations for Manual Osteopaths in Ontario with some associations being covered by extended health insurance companies and others are not.
 
In Quebec graduates from the CEO have the designation D.O. (Diplôme d'Ostéopathie) and are governed by Ostéopathie Québec.

Many health insurance companies provide coverage for Manual Osteopathy in the same way as they do physiotherapy and massage therapy. Check with your health insurance provider and verify if you need a referral from your family Doctor prior to treatment.

For more information on provincial Osteopathic associations please refer to the LINKS section.