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!)
- Shoulder, Elbow, Hip, Knee, Ankle and Foot Pain
- Temporo- Mandibular (jaw) Pain
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Post Concussion Syndrome and Head Trauma
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger or Trigger Thumb
- Dermatological conditions
- Patello-Femoral Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella
- Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
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.
It has been estimated that 80 percent of North Americans
will suffer from chronic back pain at some point during their lives.
Osteopathic Manipulation Helps Relieve Lower Back Pain
Participants received eight weeks of either osteopathic
manipulation, a ‘sham’ treatment, or ultrasound therapy. Sixty-three percent of
those who had osteopathic manipulation reported a moderate improvement in their
pain, while half said they had a substantial improvement.
