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Osteopathic Manual Therapy

“Osteopathy is the knowledge of the structure, relation and function of each part of the human body applied to the correction of whatever interferes with its harmonious operation.” - George V. Webster, D.O., 1921

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners recognize that a patient is an integrated whole. When all of the body’s components are in balance, a person is complete and in total health. During a thorough evaluation, your Practitioner will evaluate the musculoskeletal system, the cranio-sacral relationship, as well as various organ systems in order to identify restrictions or constrictions that may be the source of the problem.

Your Osteopathic Manual Practitioner will then use a variety of manual treatment techniques in order to reduce these restrictions in order to restore the normal physiological function of body systems and structures. This allows your body to begin to heal itself.


Osteopathy is based on 4 basic principles:

Each structure in the body supports the body’s functions. If a structure is damaged, out of place, or otherwise not working properly, the body will not function at its best.

The natural flow of the body’s fluids – lymphatic, vascular and neurological – must be preserved and maintained

The human body is the sum of its parts. Its physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive systems don’t work independently -they work in harmony.

When the body has no restrictions, it has the inherent ability to heal itself.

Many people, including the geriatric and pediatric population can benefit greatly from Osteopathic treatment. The various approaches to treatment help to ease pain, reduce swelling, reduce tissue tension, and promote healing. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners work to address restrictions in the following body systems;

  • musculoskeletal
  • respiratory
  • cardiovascular
  • digestive
  • reproductive
  • nervous

You are likely to notice that the manual techniques used by your Osteopathic Manual Practitioner are applied in a way unique from your experience with other manual therapists such as Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists, or Chiropractors.


Some techniques used during your treatment may include;
  • Articulatory techniques
  • Recoil techniques
  • Soft tissue techniques
  • Muscle energy techniques
  • Strain-counterstrain
  • Myofascial release
  • Fascial unwinding
  • Cranial techniques
  • Visceral and neural mobilization
  • Lymphatic and visceral pump techniques

If you would like more information on Osteopathic Treatment, please book in to speak directly with our Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, or refer to the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners at osteopathyontario.org.

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