Osteopathy - Founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Stills in 1874.
It was and still is a branch of medicine and Osteopaths in America are actually considered medical doctors and are allowed to prescribe medication, do surgeries, and perform joints manipulation.
However a new form of Osteopathy is recently emerging all over the world - Known as Manual Osteopathy. Manual Osteopathy is a form of non-invasive manual therapy. Manual Osteopaths work only with their hands. With just there 2 hands they literally work miracles for chronic pain and are changing lives all over the world.
Manual Osteopaths have a very large tool-box of amazing techniques to help treat musculoskeletal problems naturally and without the use of drugs, medications or invasive surgery. Manual Osteopaths in Canada use a combination of joint mobilization, muscle energy techniques, myofascial release and strain/counterstrain techniques to increase range of motion, reduce muscle spasm and decrease pain in the body.
In the philosophy of Osteopathy - The body is seen as a whole. Structure governs function and proper fluid movement in the body is seen as a fundamental component of the health and wellness of the entire system.
Mechanical problems in joints, ligaments, muscles or other tissues can lead to pain, dis-ease, and even a reduction in the functionality of the whole. Structural problems can cause both neurological and visceral dysfunction if left unattended.
Osteopathy tries to restore balance to the whole body by finding the structural restrictions in the body and using a wide-variety of safe and non-invasive techniques to work out these restrictions and bring the body back into balance.
In Osteopathy - Just as in any other form of alternative or holistic medicine - The belief that the body heals itself is very present.
Manual Osteopaths work by removing blockages and restrictions in the muscles, joints, ligaments, nerves, organs, and connective tissues to remove the obstacles to healing - So that the body can start to heal itself and (hopefully) make a full recovery to a pain-free and healthy life!
Manual Osteopaths are also unique in the field of Manual Therapy as they do not just work directly on the joints and muscles like massage therapists or physiotherapists.
Most Manual Osteopaths will also perform visceral manipulation to the internal organs and also work on the bones of the skull. This is important because car accidents, poor lifestyle, physical trauma, head injuries, ect, all have components that go beyond just the musculoskeletal system but can actually cause lesions in the bones of the skull, brain, or internal organs.
This makes Manual Osteopaths part of a more complete system then most other health practitioners. Manual Osteopaths are masters of the whole body - Working on all of the bodies systems and leaving nothing untreated.
As a Yoga Teacher I was already in love with Movement Work.
I love the art of expressing the human body. I love moving, stretching and the feelings it gives me. I love meditating and being mindful of the present moment - and I have a deep appreciation for life and its inner-workings.
This is why for me adding Osteopathy into my life as a career has thus far been such a seamless transition.
Manual Therapy is my new favourite hobby! The ability to heal others with your hands - To work with the body of others (especially those in need!) - Stretching, mobilizing other peoples joints and tissues - Being mindful not just of myself and my own movement - But being mindful of the other - and the movement and internal rhythm of the other person. It is amazing!
It helps me feel like a true healer - To heal not just myself through Yoga - But to heal others through this amazing form of manual therapy!
It is also so rewarding to see when someone who has chronic pain gets better in just a few treatments!
Osteopathy also offers me the ability to expand my already thriving business.
I also love the challenge. Osteopathy is not easy - It requires lots of practice, knowledge, and dedication. There is always more to learn and this field is still fairly new - It is always changing, shifting, and evolving with more and more interesting modalities and this keeps me challenged and learning new things with still no end in sight!
I can truly say that Osteopathy isn't just an amazing addition to my life as a Yoga Teacher - It is more than just an amazing (and fun) job that offers me financial freedom and flexible hours.
Osteopathy is a way of life - It feels almost as if its a hobby where there is always more to learn, practice, and perfect - It is an amazing system that works literal miracles in the lives of chronic pain patients all over the world - and most of all:
It works.
As soon as you mention the word "Osteopathy" in a room full of people - At-least 1 person will share a story of how they traveled from 1 practitioner to the other on a search for a solution to their pain......With the Manual Osteopath being the last stop - Almost always helping the pain in just a few treatments - almost as if by "magic".
This is what Manual Osteopathy is.
A system of holistic health.
A solution for chronic pain.
A way to approach the body that works!
An amazing career.
A job that feels like a hobby.
Truly, a way of life!
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