Osteopathy

What Is Osteopathy?

Manual Osteopathy, as practiced in Canada by manual osteopathic practitioners, is a type of manual therapy that aims to restore optimal function in the body. Osteopathic practitioners are trained under the principle that the body is a whole unit and is healthy when all parts are healthy and expressed correctly. Osteopathic Manual Therapists are skilled at feeling not only surface tensions, like muscle tension and inflammation, but also deeper tensions and distortions and seek to restore balance and function within the entire system.

Osteopathic Manual Therapy includes a variety of techniques which include (but not limited to):

1. Cranial osteopathy – addresses the vitality and mobility of the dural membranes and cerebrospinal fluid which nourish and protect the brain and spinal cord.
2. Myofascial and connective tissue therapy – treats restrictions of the muscles, fascia and connective tissues.
3. Osteo-articular corrections (joint mobilizations) – gentle manipulation of joints which relieve restriction and restore proper motion. In Canada, Osteopathic Manual Therapists are not allowed to perform high velocity low amplitude (HVLA) manipulations. Please be assured that your therapist will not be providing chiropractic style manipulations.
4. Visceral manipulation – gentle in application with both direct and indirect techniques to the organs and viscera and their ligamentous/ fascial attachments to relieve pain and improve function.
5. Neural Manipulation – Neural manipulation is a gentle, hands-on technique that releases restrictions around nerves to restore their natural gliding motion and improve nerve function. It’s used to relieve pain, numbness, or dysfunction caused by nerve irritation or entrapment.

The philosophy of Osteopathy is that Structure and function are interrelated, so if a musculoskeletal structure is out of alignment, it causes functional limitations.

Be sure to visit us in Victoria, BC today to learn how we can help you! Interested in learning even more? Read our blog to learn how osteopathy can help you find relief!

We Are Here For You

If you’re suffering from pain or lack of motion, give Jenna Howe Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery in Victoria, BC a call to set up an appointment today. Our trained osteopathic therapist will do a full evaluation and develop an Osteopathy treatment plan targeted to treat the cause of your discomfort. If it is determined that Osteopathy can help your condition, it will be incorporated into the manual therapy treatment plan. Our goal is to get you on the path to recovery so you can live a better life. Give us a call today to book your appointment!