What is Osteopathy?​
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners identify and assess the body using osteopathic palpation, a very sensitive touch that feels the body's structures and rhythms. The treatment is performed using the fingers and hands of the specialist to treat irregularities or imbalances within a patient’s muscles, organs, bones, joints, ligaments, or connective tissue. The goal is to restore proper structure and function and promote healing from within. This hands-on therapy uses different techniques such as soft tissue manipulation to improve circulation and repair improper biomechanics without using surgery or drugs.

Osteopathic Manual Therapy is a highly specialized treatment that is personally tailored to each specific patient. It aims to restore balance within the body, and the cause of that imbalance differs greatly from one person to the next.
 
Osteopathy addresses health issues using gentle, non-invasive manipulations and techniques as tools to restore the body’s natural mobility and alignment. Each osteopathic treatment supports the body to use its ability to self-heal and resolve health issues. No part of the body works, or can be considered, in isolation. Relevant psychological and social factors also form part of the process of patient diagnosis.
Osteopathic manual practitioners use their knowledge of anatomy, physiology and bio-mechanics to identify the root issue(s) and select specific techniques best suited to support healing. Osteopathy takes into account the different connections between the systems composing your body: anatomical, physiological, psychological, and environmental.

Some Common Conditions Treated by Osteopathic Manual Practitioners:

• Acid Reflux
• Back pain
• Chronic Pain
• Concussions
• Digestive issues
• Disc Herniation
• Endometriosis
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Musculoskeletal pain
• PMS
• Post-surgical recovery
• Pregnancy
• Scars
• Sciatica
• Sports Injuries
• Tendinopathy
• Whiplash

 
What does a treatment look like?
A thorough history is taken to get a big picture about how your body is functioning and where problem areas might be. Then they will do Osteopathic testing on how your body moves as a functional unit and where restrictions are within muscle, connective and visceral tissue. This will help to identify connections as to why you are experiencing your pain, or where the best area is to work on to reduce tension and stress in your body. The treatment usually involves multiple areas of the body as nothing acts alone and everything is connected, so don’t be surprised if you come in for back pain and your treatment includes working on your visceral organs and ankles. Most techniques involve light pressure and shouldn’t cause too much comfort.
  
What to expect after a treatment:
Many people have the feeling that the light pressure is not affecting much during the treatment, but are surprised to find when they stand and move their body, things feel different.

The body will adjust over the week following the appointment: the absence of an immediate result does not mean the treatment was ineffective. The whole body needs to integrate these changes through the nervous system, which is why you can sometimes feel a bit tired afterward.
 
Osteopathy in Alberta
There are different levels of training for osteopathic therapists. When searching for a therapist be sure they are a registered member of The Alberta Association of Osteopathic Therapists (AAOMT). AAOMT members are of the highest level of training hours and education, and the most recognized by insurance companies in Alberta. Colby is a registered members of AAOMT, and has over 5 years training, and extensive experience.