Your first appointment will include a comprehensive assessment where your osteopath will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and perform a physical examination. Based on this assessment, they will develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Treatment may involve a combination of hands-on techniques such as osteoarticulations, myofascial remodeling, cranial osteopathy, and visceral manipulation. Your osteopathic therapist will explain each step of the treatment and answer any questions you may have.
It’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing to your osteopathy session, as the osteopath will need to move and stretch different parts of your body. You may be asked to remove certain items of clothing for better access to the treatment area, but your comfort is always a priority, and you will be covered with a sheet or towel as needed.
While manual osteopathy, chiropractic, and physiotherapy all focus on musculoskeletal health, they differ in techniques and approach. Osteopathy emphasizes a holistic, whole-body approach, using gentle techniques to restore balance and function across the body’s systems. Chiropractic care often focuses more specifically on spinal adjustments, while physiotherapy typically involves exercise-based rehabilitation and treatment for injuries or disabilities. Osteopathy combines aspects of both but focuses on gentle manipulation of the body’s structure to facilitate self-healing.
Manual osteopathy is typically a gentle treatment that should not cause pain. Techniques are tailored to each individual’s condition and comfort level, and your osteopathic therapist will always work within your pain threshold. Some people may feel mild soreness or discomfort after treatment, similar to what you might experience after a workout, but this should resolve within a day or two.
The number of sessions required depends on the nature of your condition and how your body responds to treatment. Some people feel significant improvement after just one or two sessions, while others may need several treatments to achieve lasting results. Your osteopathic therapist will assess your condition and provide a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs and goals.
Coverage for osteopathy depends on your insurance provider and policy. Each insurer determines what qualifies as an eligible practitioner for coverage. Our practitioner is a Manual Osteopathic Type II Therapist, so we encourage you to review your benefits to confirm!
Based on our experience, the following insurance companies often provide coverage for Manual Osteopathic Type II Therapists:
- Alberta Blue Cross
- Canada Benefit Providers
- Canada Life
- Chamber of Commerce Insurance
- CINUP
- ClaimSecure
- ClaimXchange
- Desjardins Insurance
- Equitable Life
- Empire Life
- GreenShield
- Group Medical Services (GMS)
- GroupSource
- Johnston Group
- Manulife
- Maximum Benefits
- Medavie
- NexgenRX
- People Corporation
- Sun Life
- The Co-operators