Osteopathy is a non-invasive, safe and effective hands-on therapeutic discipline. Osteopathy is a complete system of assessment, treatment and integration of all the bodies systems and tissues. Osteopathy is based on a detailed study of human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.

Osteopaths use a refined sense of touch (palpation) and a ‘gentle, deep pressure’ to diagnose, treat and integrate tissue dysfunction. Osteopaths do not treat symptoms of dysfunction (i.e. pain), but rather, they treat the primary source or cause of that dysfunction.

Osteopaths are trained to treat all the tissues/systems of the body (e.g. musculoskeletal, craniosacral, visceral, fascial, arterial, nervous). The purpose of an osteopathic treatment is to identify, restore, maintain, and improve the natural harmonious working of all the body tissues/systems. 


Health Benefits

Generally, osteopaths can treat most dysfunctions in the body with great success, including:

· Musculoskeletal pain anywhere in the body (e.g. back, neck and joint pain)
· Cranial trauma (e.g. post concussion syndrome)
· Migraines and tension headaches
· Jaw problems
· Sports injuries
· Whiplash and motor vehicle accidents
· Digestive problems (digestive disorders, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome)
· Breathing problems (e.g. asthma, chest pain/tension)
· Gynecological problems (e.g. painful menstruation, painful intercourse)
· Circulatory and lymphatic problems
· Bladder problems (e.g. incontinence)
· Post surgical pain, scar adhesions
· Chronic pain, fibromyalgia
· Chronic fatigue
· Emotional distress


Men and women of all ages can benefit from an osteopathic treatment. Osteopaths also receive special training in obstetrics (pregnancy), pediatrics (infants and children) and geriatrics (the elderly).

History

 In 1864, despite being a medical doctor with extensive training, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still watched helplessly as a meningitis epidemic caused the loss of three of his daughters. Dr. Still began looking for a new medical model - a safe, effective way to treat patients. He dedicated the next 10 years of his life to studying health and disease from the context of human anatomy and physiology.

Still discovered that an educated, experienced and precise sense of touch (palpation) could detect and treat many disorders and dysfunctions in the body. Combining this sense of touch with rigorous anatomical training, Dr. Still began to notice remarkable improvements in his clients. Modern osteopathy is still based on Dr. Still's original concepts. Osteopathy is a well-known and accepted medical discipline in many parts of the world, such as the UK, Europe, Australia, Russia, USA.

In 1992, the first manual osteopathic college opened in Ontario (CCO). The profession is growing exponentially in the province, as there are now hundreds of students of osteopathy in the province of Ontario.