What is Osteopathy? Concepts and Training

At Healing Hands Therapy Inc we are often asked about Osteopathic concepts and/or other professionals/businesses who are offering Osteopathic services.

Osteopathic Concepts that we incorporate into our treatments:

  1. Structure governs function
    • The shape and design of our joints, bones, and ligaments allows for function to occur. This function can be optimal (healthy) compensated/adapted(moderately healthy), or uncompensated/non-adaptable (unhealthy)
  2. The role of an artery (vein, nerve, lymph) is absolute
    • The body has an ability to react and respond to impendence/blockage of any tubular structure
  3. The body is a functional unit
    • The body is one whole unit. From our head to our toes, to our heart and to our nose the body is constantly adapting, across ALL systems to optimize our well being.
  4. The body has an inherent system of autoregulation
    • This builds on point number 3. ALL of our systems (muscular, skeletal, fascial, digestive, endocrine, reproductive, respiratory, lymphatic, urinary and cardiovascular) are under constant, primarily subconscious, autoregulation. Each of the these systems may effect other system(s) through the nervous system’s response. When healthy there is a balance in these systems but when in pain/unhealthy balance is lacking in these autoregulation processes.

Osteopathic treatments aim to restore tissue VITALITY, MOBILITY and POSITION. Often determined in the order listed (ie. tissue vitality is more important than tissue mobility or position). This is part of what is unique about Osteopathic treatment compared to many other health/alternative health care professionals.

Osteopathic Training/Education

Osteopathy in Canada, and many parts of the world, is not regulated in the sense that education is not standardized. Unfortunately, there is a rather large spectrum of training/education that one can complete and then treat “osteopathically”. At Healing Hands Therapy Inc. Osteopathic Practitioners must be part of OsteopathyBC, which we believe has the highest standards of practice from both training/education and maintenance of certification perspectives. There are many gifted “healers” and “bodyworkers” in our world but at HHT we trust that the training our Osteopathic Practitioners completed is felt in the quality, care and precision within the treatment services provided.

Osteopathic Treatment Spectrum

The Osteopathic toolbox of techniques is large and there is a wide variety of treatment styles within the Osteopathic community. Much of the variety is due to the individual interest, experience and intentions of the Osteopathic Practitioner. At HHT, Travis and Colan, despite similar educations, have different treatment styles. Travis has a more biodynamic approach and Colan has a more mechanical/structural approach. Check out the image below and feel free to ask/inquire about different styles at your next appointment!