What is Osteopathy?
What is osteopathy? Lots of patients are not sure what it is and how it can help them, but it can truly do wonders. Osteopathy is a safe and effective hands-on therapy that uses a variety of manual techniques to restore the integrity and balance in the different systems of the body. Indeed, Osteopathy is grounded in 3 principles:
• the human being is a dynamic functional unit in which all systems (myofascial, skeletal, visceral, vascular, neural and lymphatic) are interconnected.
• The body possesses its own self-regulatory and self-healing mechanisms.
• Structure and function are interrelated at all levels of the human body.
One of the essential components of Osteopathy is that it relies on manual contact for diagnosis and treatment.
Osteopathic practitioners (or osteopath) are extensively trained in medical science and most of the time another health care background. Damien, is a registered Physiotherapist and In France where he completed his education (in Physiotherapy and Osteopathy) he was also working as a massage therapist.
Education and experience of the medical pathology give the therapist the ability to understand the patient’s symptoms and therefore determine if the patient qualifies for Osteopathic treatment. This differential diagnosis is very important to rule out the possibility of another more severe condition before proceeding with some manual treatment.
Who is it for and what are the indications for Osteopathy?
Osteopathic Practitioners treat people of all ages from new-borns to seniors and pregnant women. We can help to address problems such as:
• Neck and back pain and tension
• Tension headaches and migraines
• Visceral issues (digestive, intestine and respiratory dysfunctions)
• Joint, muscle pain (post knee/ankle sprains symptoms, shoulder problems, epicondylalgia...)
• Sport injuries
• Pre- and post-natal support
• Issues new-borns and babies can experience; such as regurgitations, intestinal transit problems, torticollis…
Each Osteopathic treatment provided is unique and adapted to the patient’s age, background and condition. We acknowledge that each of our patient comes with their own combination of symptoms, medical history, psychological or emotional challenges and health goals.
How many treatments are necessary?
Because every patient is different, and the same condition doesn’t have necessarily the same expression it is difficult to answer this question. The patient usually starts feeling some changes in their body after 2 to 3 sessions.
However, if after this time we don’t notice any significant improvements regarding the pain level and the symptoms your therapist might suggest an alternative treatment or refer you to your family Doctor for further investigations.
Does my extended health cover it?
OsteopathyBC, the society for the promotion of manual practice Osteopathy works to maintain high standards of practice in BC and aims to raise awareness about Osteopathy since 2005.
Osteopathy is in the private sector and MSP doesn’t cover Osteopathy fees. However, as a member of the association, treatments with Damien can be covered by your extended health insurance. Consult your plan for details.