FAQ’s

Yes, the insurance companies that cover the manual osteopathy treatments include:
Alberta Blue Cross, Pacific Blue Cross, Sunlife, Greenshield, Manulife, Equitable, The Co-Operators, Desjardins, Johnsons Group, Chambers of Commerce, GMS, Maximum, CINUP, Empire Life, NexGen, Great West Life, Canada Life

Direct billing is not available for Manual Osteopathic Therapy in Canada, patients will need to submit the treatment receipts to their insurance company.

Osteopaths will incorporate rhythmical and gentler techniques to align the bones and joints whereas a chiropractor will  provide high velocity manipulative techniques to achieve the same results.

Yes there are differences, these include:

• Doctors of Osteopathy can diagnose and prescribe medications to patients
• Manual Osteopathic Therapist are able to assess, formulate a clinical impression and treat patients
• Doctors of Osteopathy have more years of formal education

Massage therapy assesses and addresses soft tissues including the muscles, tendons, ligaments and a little fascia. Manual osteopathy addresses tissues and organ systems that include craniosacral fluid and rhythm, bones and joints with Muscle Energy Techniques, lymphatic system, visceral (organ) release, advanced myofascial release and cranio/facial bony alignment.

For example, if a patient came in to the clinic with an achy right shoulder the manual osteopathic therapist would potentially assess and treat the following:

• assess the spine, 1st and 2nd ribs, clavicle and scapula joint because all imbalances can refer pain to the right shoulder
• assess the liver and gall bladder for motility / mobility / circulation / innervation because dysfunction in these organs refer pain to the right shoulder
• assess the fluid dynamics of the shoulder, circulation and lymphatic flow, because congestion creates pain

No. all assessments and treatments are provided with clothes on and over the linens.  Patients are asked to bring loose fitting, stretchy clothes or be prepared to wear shorts and sports bra for females.  Assessments and treatments happen is standing, sitting and lying on the table too.

Patients can expect to go over your health history with the manual osteopath as well as having a discussion about what the patients goals/needs involve. Next an assessment will be performed, which includes observation of posture and tests to determine where treatment will be most indicated.  The assessments are very thorough and will consume much of the initial visit time.  With the remaining time, treatment will be provided. In subsequent appointments, there will be a shorter assessment (in order to observe the lasting changes and to guide the process), and more time will be spent on treatment, which can take place with the patient sitting, lying face up, face down, or in side lying.