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

WHAT IS MANUAL OSTEOPATHY?

Manual Osteopathy is a non-invasive, manual therapy where cause and effect relationships are observed and treated within the body. Manual Osteopaths are considered to be engineers to help the body rebalance and restore self-regulation. 'All structures perform best when midline' (Hartman, 1983) and the goal of treatment is to remove obstacles, restore alignment, mobility, health, and communication within the body.

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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:​​

A BRIEF HISTORY OF OSTEOPATHY:

In 1874 Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, D.O, described a form of natural therapy he was uncovering after spending much time living and learning among 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 Manual 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. 

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Dr Still had many exceptional students who further unveiled the concepts, science, engineering, and practice of Manual Osteopathy for the benefit of all: Sutherland, Brooks, Burns, Weaver, LittleJohn, Magoun, Fryman, and many others... 

The pioneer of Osteopathy in Canada is Philippe Druelle, D.O., manual osteopath and physiotherapist from France. Druelle brought the practice of Osteopathy to Québec and opened his first school 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 schools from coast to coast offering the highest standards of Manual Osteopathic training and research in Canada and Internationally. Druelle is a world renowned practitioner, teacher, and researcher in Manual Osteopathy.

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There are 2 types of  'Osteopaths' in Canada: 1) Manual Osteopathic Practitioners and 2) Doctors of Osteopathy.

 

Manual Osteopathic Practitioners that have trained in Canada and 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 which varies province to province. In Ontario, graduates from the CCO have the designation: DOMP (Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice) and DScO (Diploma in the Science of Osteopathy). In Quebec, graduates from the CEO have the designation D.O. (Diplôme d'Ostéopathie); Manual Osteopathic Practitioners are not regulated by the Federal government.

 

In contrast, Doctors of Osteopathy (D.O) receive their training from the United States and are recognized by the Federal government as 'Doctors of Osteopathy'. They are governed in a similar way as physicians and surgeons, can administer pharmaceuticals and perform surgery but do not typically practice manual or non-surgical treatment options.

 

Many health insurance companies cover manual osteopathic treatment as they do physiotherapy and massage therapy.  Manual Osteopathy is a complementary therapy and can benefit all ages.