Osteopathic Approach
Osteopathy is a natural medicine that views the individual as a functioning whole, requiring optimal health and harmony in all parts for the wellness and vitality of the whole. Osteopathy uses precise palpatory and and manual techniques to asses and treat the restrictive aspects of the structure or system which prevent the various parts of the body from fulfilling its natural function. Osteopathy is unique in that it focuses on the cause of pain and dysfunction rather than on concentrating on and chasing symptoms.
 The objective of Osteopathy is to restore mobility, and vitality to every system in the body which may be experiencing lack of full function or expression. Restoring mobility an proper function to each system allows normal interrelationship between systems, hence allowing health of the whole body!
Traditional Osteopathy is based on the premise that the primary role of the therapist is to facilitate the body’s inherent ability to self-regulate and self-heal. It was founded by an American physician, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in 1874. Rather than addressing and treating only the symptoms of the disease, Still searched for the causes of dysfunction. Dr. Still wrote, “Disease is the result of anatomical abnormalities followed by physiological discord”. He believed that the ability to recover from illness is inherent within our own bodies, and that if our bodies are in optimal states of balance and all systems are in proper function, the body can maintain optimal health and wellness.
Osteopathic Philosophy Maintains That:
- The structure and the function of the body are interrelated. Meaning that if the structure is altered, the physiology or function related to that structure will also be altered.
- The natural flow of the body’s fluids, including blood flow must be uncompromised.
- The human body is the sum of all its parts, it is a multidimensional organism and is interconnected.
- When the body has no restrictions, it has the inherent ability to heal itself.
Osteopathic Treatment Includes Several Different Techniques Including:
- Craniosacral therapy
- Myofascial realease
- Joint mobilizations
- Visceral manipulation
- Muscle energy technique
- Strain Counter Strain
Craniosacral Therapy
The Craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth down to the sacrum or tailbone area.
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate the negative effects of stress on your central nervous system. It is a very relaxing treatment and often induces sleep during a session.
Craniosacral Therapy strengthens your body’s ability to do what it does best, take care of you.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a hands on technique which provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain, headaches and to restore motion.
Fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads throughout the body in a three dimensional web from your head to your feet without interruption. Trauma or inflammation can create a binding down of the fascia putting pressure on nerves, muscle, blood vessels, bones and organs. It is thought that a high percentage of people suffering with pain, headaches, lack of mobility and disease may be having fascial problems.
The goal of Myofascial Release is to restore the individual’s freedom so they may return to a pain free active lifestyle. Myofascial release techniques are performed without or with very little oil or lotion, it can be a more intense treatment than a Swedish technique, but can have incredible results.
Visceral Manipulation
At optimal health, the relationship between the organs (viscera) and structures of the body (muscles, membranes, fasciae, nerves and bones) remains stable despite the body’s endless varieties of motion. But when one organ can’t move in harmony with its surrounding viscera due to abnormal tone, displacement, adhesions, or vertebral issues which may compromise the nerve supply to the organ there is disharmony. This imbalances creates fixed, abnormal points of tension that the body is forced to move around. That chronic irritation, in turn, paves the way for disease and dysfunction.
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle hands-on therapy that works through the body’s visceral system (the heart, liver, intestines, pancreas, lungs, spleen and other internal organs) to locate and alleviate these abnormal points of tension throughout the body. (international alliance of health care educators)
What To Expect:
Both Victoria Duncan and Jeff Green are Registered Massage Therapists who are practising these advanced techniques within the scope of practise of Massage therapy. So when you visit the clinic, you will be asked to fill out forms and consent forms the same way you would with any registered massage therapist.
A Thorough History will be taken:
Because more advanced techniques such as visceral manipulation and cranial sacral therapy may be used, a more complete interview will be taken with questions about past illness, injuries, surgeries, as well as questions about every system of the body. The practitioner will delve into more detail about your chief complaint as well, including past medical treatment you may have had for this issue. Its a great idea to make a list or a history of your health, including any medications, or results of investigations such as x-rays or MRI results before you come in for that first visit.
An Assessment is performed:
A physical assessment will be performed, including several range of motion, and neurological tests such as reflexes and strength testing, as well as some specialized orthopedic and palpatory tests. The practitioner will asses your general alignment, gait, as well as any systems or structures related to that area of complaint. If any “red flags” are suspected upon assessment, you will be referred back to your Doctor for further investigation before continuing with treatment.
Plan is implemented and the treatments begin:
The practitioner needs to piece together the information collected from both the health history, the interview and assessment to determine a treatment plan best suited for you. Treatments are administered based on this information, and will be discussed with the patient in regards to frequency and duration.
Here is a list of conditions that may be treated by these types of techniques:
(it is important to consult your medical doctor for complete diagnoses of any medical condition)
- Colic
- sucking difficulty in infants
- birth trauma
- otitis media
- neck pain
- back pain
- sciatica
- headaches and migraines
- jaw pain and TMJ syndrome
- pain resulting from MVA’s or overuse or sports injuries
- neurological syndromes
- digestive disorders
- genitourinary problems
- chronic infectious disease
- circulatory problems
- pregnancy issues, including back pain, digestive issues, edema and swelling
- asthma
- bronchitis
- pleurisy
- allergies
- chronic ear infections
- recurrent sore throats
- frequent colds
- glaucoma
- sinusitis
- tinnitus
(List taken from the Ontario Association of Osteopaths www.osteopathyontario.com) |
