What is Manual Osteopathy?

Aches and pains don’t have to be a way of life. If you have been visiting the massage therapist or the chiropractor but haven’t gotten the relief you need, there is a chance that manual osteopathy may help.

Whether you have heard of manual osteopathy before or are just learning about it, you will definitely have questions. Manual osteopathy isn’t new, as it was first developed in 1892, but it’s quickly becoming known for numerous benefits.

If you’re curious about manual osteopathy, we have everything you need to know right here.

What is Manual Osteopathy?

Manual osteopathy is a practice in Canada that is performed by manual osteopathic practitioners. The manual in the name refers to the use of hands to manually assess and assist a patient with managing pain or another health condition. The overall goal of a manual osteopathic practitioner is to restore function to the body.

A manual osteopath’s sense of touch is honed through years of training and education. They are capable of sensing tension within the body, such as inflammation or strained muscles. Manual osteopathy is a very gentle holistic therapy.

Manual Osteopathy Techniques

Being that manual osteopathy is hands-on, a patient might confuse the two with regular massage. There are indeed similarities. The practitioner manipulates muscle, bone, and joint alignment to open up the body, letting blood and lymph flow. This can optimize the body’s self-healing abilities and get the body functioning as it once did.

What Are The Benefits of Manual Osteopathy?

Manual osteopathy benefits the body by improving natural functions and accelerating healing. In the same way you seek out and find a broken gear or missing screw in a machine, manual osteopathy targets the areas of the body that aren’t running as smoothly and makes a slight adjustment for overall better wellbeing.

Here are ways manual osteopathy benefits your body:

• Increased range of motion
• Reduced blood pressure
• Less tension in the muscles
• Increased immune system
• Better circulation
• Decreased inflammation
• Reduced stiffness and joint pain

What Conditions Can Manual Osteopathy Help Alleviate?

Manual osteopathy can be helpful in finding relief from multiple conditions. This is because manual osteopathy has a positive impact on the nervous system. Additionally, manual osteopaths have many tools at their disposal that can assist the visceral and musculoskeletal systems.

Here are some conditions that have favorable responses to manual osteopathy:

• Fatigue
• Anxiety and depression
• Concussions
• Musculoskeletal conditions, such as back, hip, jaw, and leg pain
• Gastrointestinal issues, such as acid reflux and IBS
• Symptoms related to chronic health concerns, like shortness of breath
• Symptoms from injuries causes by accidents or falls, like whiplash
• Carpal tunnel
• Plantar fasciitis
• Sciatica

Conclusion

While similar to massage, manual osteopathy works as a compliment to other manual therapies. However, the main focus is on your alignment. If you are suffering from old injuries or have some kind of musculoskeletal issue, a visit to the manual osteopath could be exactly what you need. Why not give a session or two a try and see if you feel the difference?