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).
Some conditions treated with manual osteopathy include:
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Allergies
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Asthma
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Back pain
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Birth trauma
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Bronchitis
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Bruxism (aka clenching)
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Digestive problems: bloating, constipation, diarrhea, gas, reflux...
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Colic
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Concussions
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Headaches
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Migraines
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Nausea
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Neck pain
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Newborn latching difficulties
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Problems associated with pregnancy
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Respiratory difficulties
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Sciatica
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TMJ problems
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Sports injuries
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Sinus infections
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Whiplash injuries
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.
The FOUR FOUNDATIONS of Osteopathic treatment are:
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 2 types of 'Osteopaths': 1) Manual Osteopathic Practitioners and 2) Doctors of Osteopathy.
Manual Osteopathic Practitioners that have trained in Canada have 4 to 8 years of education based on course material, clinical applications and field research. Once graduated from their respective programs, they can be governed by an Association that varies province to province. Manual Osteopathic Practitioners are not regulated by the Federal government.
In Ontario graduates from the 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.
In Quebec graduates from the CEO have the designation D.O. (Diplôme d'Ostéopathie) and are governed by Ostéopathie Québec.
In contrast, 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.
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.
