What is Osteopathy?

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a 100 year old healing system which was developed by Andrew Still in the USA in the early 20th century. Students of Andrew Still took Osteopathy to the United Kingdom where it grew slowly in popularity and developed a small but loyal following. It was only towards the end of the 20th Century that Osteopathy was formally recognized in both the USA and the UK. In both countries the term osteopath is a protected title under law. Osteopathy in Canada is a growing profession but still not widely known by the population. There are only 800 osteopathically trained practitioners working in Canada, the majority of those in Ontario and Quebec.

Osteopathy is a whole body approach to diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal pain conditions. Osteopathic manual practitioners as the majority of osteopaths are known in Canada diagnose and treat using their hands. Using a highly developed sense of palpation they are able to feel areas of dysfunction in the body's muscles and joints. These areas are seen as blockages to your body's innate ability to heal itself (your immune system). Osteopathic manual practitioners are taught to gentle remove these blockages by manipulation of the fascia, muscles joints and spine. It is important to note that the whole philosophy of Osteopathy is to help the body help itself. This means you get a much deeper and longer lasting healing to the body.

To find out more about Osteopathy in Ontario you can go to the Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners of Ontario website. If you have any queries or questions regarding this article please leave it in the comments below.