What is Osteopathy?

A Holistic Approach to Heal the Body

Osteopathy is a form of manual therapy that can influence all systems of the body towards a more efficient and holistic state of health.

Osteopathic practitioners use a wide range of techniques including soft tissue work to address muscle, ligament and facial tension, cranial techniques to mobilize the bones of the skull, joint mobilization to realign bones, and visceral work to normalize organ function. The breadth of the osteopathic approach allows the treatment to focus on the precise needs of each individual.

Patient Safety and Regulations

All Drew Osteopathy practitioners maintain professional standards that ensure patient safety, privacy and dignity.

History of Osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by A.T. Still, an American physician in the United States. Still believed that everything that was necessary to sustain human life was already present within the human body. This view prompted him to find non-medicinal and non-surgical ways to enhance the body's innate ability to heal itself.

How Can It Help Me?

Treat the Cause

Osteopathic practitioners use 'hands-on' techniques to influence the way the body works. By working with the muscles, tendons, joints, connective tissue and ligaments, treatment can provide relief to the musculoskeletal system, the nervous system, and also the circulatory, respiratory and immune systems of the body. Osteopathic treatment can benefit patients with a variety of health concerns.

Musculoskeletal System

• neck and back pain

• sciatica

• headaches and migraines

• jaw pain, TMJ syndromes, and dental occlusion

• pain resulting from motor vehicle accidents

• bursitis, tendonitis and over-use injuries

• sports injuries

Respiratory Illness

• asthma

• bronchitis

• pleurisy

• allergies

Ear, Nose and Throat Problems

• chronic ear infections

• recurrent sore throats

• frequent colds

• sinusitis

• tinnitus

Children's Issues

• colic

• spitting up

• sucking difficulty

• birth trauma

• otitis media

Systemic Problems

• neurological syndromes

• digestive disorders

• genitourinary problems

• circulatory problems

Gynecological System

• Menstrual pain

• Pregnancy - back pain, digestive upset, edema and swelling

• Scars

What to Expect.

Your First Appointment

During your first appointment we take a full health history. Time is taken to listen to you, and ask questions to make sure we understand your health history and your day-to-day routine. We will ask questions relating to various systems of the body, previous injuries, and current stresses, as these may give clues to help our assessment of your complaint.

Physical Assessment

Before recommending a treatment plan, a physical examination is performed to assess your posture, range of motion, reflexes, and blood pressure. Any additional reports provided to us from other diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, MRI's or ultrasound are also carefully reviewed.

Individual Treatment Plan

Treatment is different for every person and designed to promote restoration of normal function in the body. After reviewing the assessment findings with you, a treatment plan is recommended and discussed. The choice of techniques to use will depend on the area being treated and the person receiving the treatment.

What Should I Wear?

Please wear or bring something that you are comfortable in. Loose fitting clothing, or shorts and a t-shirt are best.

Is the Treatment Uncomfortable?

During your treatment session we will openly communicate with you and let you know what to expect. If you experience discomfort it is important to communicate what you are feeling so that we can determine whether  or not the response is a normal response to what is being treated. On occasion, you may feel slightly stiff or sore after treatment; this is a normal, healthy response to the treatment. We recommended you drink extra water after a treatment to re-hydrate the body and aid in the elimination of toxins.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments recommended depends on the individual and the condition being treated. We aim to keep your appointments to a minimum and treatments are generally scheduled once every one or two weeks. In many cases as your condition improves, the length of time between treatments is increased. This allows the body to adapt to treatment.