Osteopathy with Mohammed

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a drug free, non-invasive form of manual therapy that aims to improve
health across all body systems. Treatment entails gentle mobilizations of all joints and soft
tissues throughout the body that aims to positively affect the body’s nervous, endocrine,
digestive, respiratory, vascular, urogenital and lymphatic systems.

Manual osteopaths use a variety of principle based manual techniques to reduce or
remove restrictions and balance asymmetry in order to help restore normal physiological
function of the body. Techniques such as myofascial release, muscle energy, oscillatory
osteoarticular release, strain-counterstain, cranial-sacral, and ligamentous articular release are
used collectively throughout treatment.

Restrictions/obstructions can be found within the interarticular layer, contracture of
muscles, fascial restriction, which may cause compression or tension on nerves, arteries, veins,
and lymphatics. When one experiences stress, physical or emotional trauma, scarring, or
inflammation, the fascia that surrounds all structures of the body, loses its pliability, it becomes
tight, restricted, and a source of tension to the rest of the body.

Osteopathic treatment is meant to be relaxing and inhibitory. Without the use of high
velocity or aggressive adjustment, treatment appeals to the nervous system, allowing the body to
integrate the correction. This leads to longer lasting results while increasing the patient’s vitality
and placing the patient in a better position for the body to self-heal and self-regulate. Various
treatment approaches help to ease pain, reduce swelling, reduce tissue tension, and promote
healing.

Each rendered treatment is specific and unique to each individual. The goal of treatment
includes improving quality of life, reducing symptom expression, and speeding the restoration of
normal function while reducing the impact of illness on home and work life.

How does Osteopathy differ from other types of treatment?

The manual osteopath reasons from his mechanical knowledge of anatomy. The
mechanical principles on which osteopathy is based are as old as the universe. Effects of
abnormalities of the human body, is dependent on the nerve and blood supply to the region
affected.

Overall health is achieved only when you address the needs of the whole body. This is
the philosophy behind Osteopathy – the whole body must function together for optimal health. If
one part of the body is compromised or injured, then the rest of the body must adapt and
compensate for this, which can eventually lead to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and other health conditions. Osteopathy aims to restore balance and promote your body’s natural ability to self-
heal by removing obstructions upon the nerves, arteries, veins, and lymphatics. It is widely recognized as a safe and effective treatment and a form of preventative medicine.

Some examples of techniques that manual osteopath’s use are:

• Myofascial release
• Muscle energy techniques (MET’s)
• Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR)
• Reciprocal Inhibition (RI)
• Strain-Counter Strain
• Craniosacral
• Osteoarticular manipulation/joint mobilization/articulation
• Oscillation
• Visceral manipulation
• Lymphatic drainage
• ….and much more!

Who can benefit from Osteopathy?

Osteopathic treatment is available to everyone and can benefit people from all walks of
life. People of all ages, including the geriatric and paediatric population, can benefit greatly from
osteopathy. Various approaches to treatment help to ease pain, improve posture, reduce swelling
and tissue tension, and promote healing. In contrast to active sportspeople, those with more
sedentary careers may also experience conditions which may be eased by osteopathic treatment.

Pregnant women can benefit from Osteopathic treatment as it can help to improve the
positioning and alignment of the spine, easing aches and pains from pressure or compensation.
Arthritis is a common condition that affects more than 1 out of 5 people worldwide. Arthritis can
be extremely painful causing aches and pains in joints throughout the body. This can lead to
increased stiffness, reduced motion, and compensation patterns throughout the body. Osteopathic
treatment aims to put the body in a more balanced position to take tension and pressure off areas
of stress.

Osteopathic treatment aims to:

• Find and remove the underlying cause of pain
• Reduce pain and stiffness in muscles and joints
• Increase the range of motion in the joints
• Align all structures in the body
• Reduce tension in the body
• Increase circulation
• Decrease blood pressure
• Decrease stress
• Improve sleep
• Improve breathing
• Help the body adapt to hormonal or structural changes (puberty and pregnancy)
• Improve recovery time from injury or trauma (physical or emotional)
• + many more benefits!

What can Osteopathy help me with?

Osteopathy focuses on total body health by treating and maximizing the function of the
musculoskeletal system. This can then positively influence other body systems like the
respiratory, nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems.

Manual osteopaths will identify the underlying cause, rather than just treating your
symptoms – ultimately providing lasting solutions. Overall health is achieved only when you
address the needs of the whole body. The whole body must function together for optimal health.
If one part of the body is compromised or injured, then the rest of the body must adapt and
compensate for this, potentially leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and other health
conditions.

Osteopathy aims to restore balance and promote your body’s natural ability to self-heal
and self-regulate. It is widely recognized as a safe and effective form of treatment. Treatment can
reduce pain, prevent the risk of injury, and help you recover faster.

Common conditions that osteopathy can help:

Is treatment covered by insurance?

Yes!!

Osteopathic Treatment provided by members of Osteopathy Canada (OSTCAN)
continues to be covered by all insurance companies in Ontario including Manulife and Sunlife.
It’s important that patients of the community know that insurance benefit plans continue
to fund osteopathic treatment services when they are provided by members of Osteopathy
Canada (OSTCAN).

Members of OSTCAN hold the highest international standards for osteopathic education.
OSTCAN requires that its member associations uphold a membership requirement that includes
a minimum 4 years of osteopathic education. This education must total a minimum of 4200 hours
and include a minimum of 1000 hours in supervised clinical practice and training meeting the
Type 1 standard as outlined by the World Health Organization’s ‘Benchmarks for training in
Osteopathy’.

For more information on Osteopathy Canada (OSTCAN), go to https://ostcan.ca.