Osteopathy & Manual Therapy

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a drug-free, non-invasive manual therapy that aims to improve health across all body systems by manipulating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework. Osteopathy is the recognised and established science of human mechanics; a system of diagnosis and treatment which lays the main emphasis on the structural and mechanical problems of the body. We believe in a holistic approach to healing. our practitioners treat the person as a whole in order to find the cause of a condition, rather than treating only the symptoms.

Our Osteopaths are highly skilled in their sense of touch (palpation) and they use these skills to observe imbalances and dysfunction in the joints and soft tissue structures of the musculo-skeletal system (muscles, ligaments, capsules, fascia and tendons). Once the inter-relationship of these neighbouring structures is understood, they use a range of highly skilled techniques to treat the patient.

• Treatments vary from patient to patient but may include
• Soft tissue massage
• Joint articulation with varying degrees of subtlety
• Rhythmic stretching
• Joint manipulation
• High-Velocity-Thrust manipulation (HVT)
• Muscle Energy Technique (MET)
• Exercise prescription

Manual Therapy

Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (OMT) is any "hands-on" treatment provided by the Physiotherapist. Treatment may include moving joints in specific directions and at different speeds to regain movement (joint mobilization and manipulation), muscle stretching, passive movements of the affected body part, or having the patient move the body part against the therapist's resistance to improve muscle activation and timing. Selected specific soft tissue techniques may also be used to improve the mobility and function of tissue and muscles.

OMT Physiotherapists treat acute and chronic symptomatic conditions in body regions including the head, neck, back, arms and legs. Early, consistent and skillful manual therapy, combined with exercise and patient education, is central to the OMT Physiotherapist's practice. Advanced examination, communication and decision-making skills that are built on the foundations of professional and scientific education facilitate the provision of effective and efficient care. Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (OMT) practitioners provide patient management, consult with other care providers on neuromusculoskeletal conditions ranging from simple to complex, and provide recommendations and interventions in the area of health and wellness. By selecting a physiotherapist trained and experienced in Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, a patient will receive optimal care that is effective and fiscally responsible. This is particularly important if the patient has limited resources, has limited visits covered by health insurance, is seeking conservative treatment that may preclude the need for surgery, or, in cases where surgery is required, is seeking treatment to enhance their outcomes.