Bio-Structural Integration™: The "Natural Way" of Healing with Osteopathy

General Description of Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a form of drug-free, non-invasive manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework, which includes the joints, muscles and spine. Its aim is to positively affect the body's nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems.

This therapy is a unique holistic (whole body) approach to health care. Osteopaths do not simply concentrate on treating the problem area, but use manual techniques to balance all the systems of the body, to provide overall good health and wellbeing.

Dr. Andrew Taylor Still established the practice of Osteopathy in the late 1800s in the United States of America, with the aim of using manual 'hands on' techniques to improve circulation and correct altered biomechanics, without the use of drugs.

What are the qualities of Osteopathy?

The philosophy of Osteopathy is what sets it apart from other medical disciplines. The key principles are based on all parts of the body functioning together in an integrated manner. If one part of the body is restricted, then the rest of the body must adapt and compensate for this, eventually leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness and other health conditions. When the body is free of restrictions in movement, Osteopathic treatment assists the body with pain minimisation, reduced stress and greater mobility providing the body with the opportunity to heal itself.

Osteopaths use a broad range of gentle hands-on techniques including soft tissue stretching, deep tactile pressure, and mobilisation or manipulation of joints.

In some cases, Osteopaths can complement the advice given by GPs. For example, people who suffer from arthritis are often prescribed medication by their GP. In addition to that, Osteopaths can ease the pain caused by joint and muscle stiffness, by improving joint mobility and the flow of blood to the joints, and show arthritis sufferers how to prevent causing injury to themselves.

Osteopathy is a five-year university course, which includes a degree and masters qualification. Senior Osteopathy students complete clinical training under the supervision of registered Osteopaths at student teaching clinics Osteopaths believe in working as part of a health system of health providers and often refer back to the G.P. or another allied health professional where appropriate.

What are the benefits of Osteopathy?

Osteopathic treatment in itself is not 'preventative'. Osteopaths respect the body's natural ability as a self-regulating mechanism and only intervene when pain or discomfort is present. The benefits of osteopathy are the general improvement in mobility and structural stability of the body. In turn, other systems of the body such as the circulatory, nervous and lymphatic systems function more effectively and for a number of general conditions, minimal treatment is required.

What are the impacts of Osteopathy on our sleep patterns?

A key indicator of pain or discomfort is lack of sleep or restless nights. An effective osteopathic treatment outcome often reflects the first signs of recovery with a good night's sleep. Poor sleep patterns only serve to magnify the body's inability to function adequately and reduce our psychosomatic (Psychosomatic illnesses are those in which physical symptoms are caused or aggravated by emotional factors) ability to cope with pain.

Would there be any flow on effects for a patient's well-being?

Osteopathic treatment positively affects the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems, to deliver a more balanced body and better health overall. This combined with good dietary and /or exercise prescription can enhance a patient's well-being and often leads to a positive approach to individual health responsibility.

How does Osteopathy act to "prevent" ailments like back pain?

With our lives becoming increasingly busy, yet more sedentary, Osteopaths can offer prevention advice such as stretching exercises, lifting techniques, posture, breathing and stress reduction which is a great way for individuals to maintain their own health. In addition some lifestyle changes including diet or workplace ergonomics can dramatically improve one’s health and reduce ongoing health costs.

Early intervention by an Osteopath means you can be aware of potential sources of referred pain, and how you can make changes to your lifestyle now, so you won't have to deal with the pain later on.

What does Osteopathic treatment involve?

The first visit to an osteopath will run along the same lines as an initial visit to a GP. Medical history is taken and questions asked about lifestyle, diet and emotional status. The osteopathic manual practitioner will want to hear about all symptoms, as well as details of any past accidents or traumas, even if they may seem unrelated to the patient's current problem.

The patient may be asked to remove some outer clothing and to perform some simple movements. This is so the osteopath can observe how the patient is using their body, identify any obvious mobility impairment and evaluate posture. Neurological and orthopaedic tests help the osteopath to eliminate possible underlying pathologies and differentiate the basis of the patient's complaint.

Osteopaths are highly trained to manually locate points of restriction or excessive strain in various parts of the body. Using a finely tuned sense of touch or palpation, the osteopath will assess the spine, joints, muscles and tendons. (An osteopath may also ask for current blood tests or X-rays to confirm findings, or review existing diagnostic results where available.)

In the initial consultation the osteopath will be able to offer a diagnosis and discuss a treatment program. Treatment could include such techniques as soft tissue stretching, to increase blood flow and improve flexibility of joints and muscles; articulation to mobilize joints by being passively taken through their range of motion; and muscle energy, to release tightness on the muscles by alternatively being stretched and made to work against resistance.

Because osteopathy emphasizes self-healing, an osteopath may also advise dietary changes, home exercise programs and lifestyle adjustments. All treatment programs are individualized and depend on the patient's current condition, past history and ability to adapt to change. Most simple problems often require only 2-4 treatments.

“How can someone expect to feel over the long-term if they don't undertake Osteopathic Manipulations for example, Back Pain?”

If you ignore the signs of back pain this can develop into other forms of referred pain around the body, such as neck, shoulder or leg pain. Longer term this can have deep psychological ramifications which makes it harder for a patient to accept recovery as an achievable goal and like most long term health conditions can lead to depression.

According to osteopathic philosophy, all parts of the body are interconnected and affect each other. However, if someone experiencing back pain does visit an Osteopath, this means the back pain can be treated and potential referred pain can be avoided. Of course, this improves your overall health and well-being, allowing you to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle.

What Conditions are Treated by Osteopathy?

We treat more than you think. Many patients come with complaints of aches in the head, back, neck, and heel/foot pain; sciatica; shin splints; tennis elbow and repetitive strain injury. Other patients suffer from asthma; arthritis; digestive problems; carpal tunnel syndrome; whiplash and postural problems.

At Osteoklinika we treat the following conditions (and more!)  

• Low Back and Neck Pain

• Migraines and Headaches

• Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot Pain

• Sciatica

• Temporo- Mandibular (jaw) Pain

• Motor Vehicle Accidents

• Repetitive Strain Injuries

• Constipation

• Incontinence

• Neurological Disorders

• Chronic Ear Infections

• Post Concussion Syndrome and Head Trauma

• Genitourinary Problems

• Plantar Fasciitis

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb

• Tendonitis and Bursitis

• Dermal ulcers

• Dermatological conditions

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

• Piriformis Syndrome

• Patello-Femoral Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella

• Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Frozen Shoulder

Osteopaths also deal regularly with patients who have been injured in the workplace, at home or while playing sports.

Message from Andrew Subieta M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T., Founder of OsteoKlinika

I believe that my method of Bio-Structural Integration™ developed for the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions is going to change the face of Alternative Therapy.

All of us know about physiotherapy, chiropractic, acupuncture or massage therapy. Unfortunately these modalities are used in isolation and do not address the problem at multiple levels. Therapy that is centered around only one system simply doesn’t work.

The body functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergetically together to maintain homeostasis. When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In my method of Bio-Structural Integration™ I address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment I use Cranial Osteopathy to release central nervous system lesions. After that I use Osteopathic Structural Adjustments to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle. All of the above is done within a 1 hour treatment. 

After the structure is realigned I recommend BioFlex Low Light Laser Therapy to deal with inflammation. Healing is now stimulated at the cellular level. This session may take 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the condition being treated. Elimination of inflammatory process assists in structural stabilization of the joints.

As a result muscles and ligaments relax, fascia releases its tension , flexibility increases bringing back normal range of motion and reduction of pain.

After the pain is reduced and structure realigned, my patients have a one-on-one session with a Certified Yoga Teacher to show them proper Rehab Yoga exercises to stretch and strengthten the injured area. One month free membership is provided to each patient by OsteoKlinika in one of the Hot Yoga Wellness Inc. locations depending on your choice.

The program of rehabilitation is around 5 weeks long and provides more than 90% of success in bringing back a pain free life. If you have tried every possible known therapy and still have pain, you shouldn’t give up! During many years of practice I developed protocols for numerous difficult to treat conditions.

Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides a quick relief from pain.

We provide professional osteopathic care; relieving pain, reducing stiffness and increasing mobility, so you may feel better as soon as possible.  Please call us to book your consultation at 905.660.8810. - Andrew Subieta, M.Sc., R.M.T., C.L.T. andrew@osteoklinika.com 

Also, please check our website at www.osteoklinika.com for more information about Bio-Structural Integration™, or our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter pages.