Have you found yourself asking: What is this osteopathy that my insurance plan covers and how is it different from Physiotherapy or Chiropractic?  Good Question

What is Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a patient centered form of manual health-care that involves different aspects of the person’s neuro-musculoskeletal system including the muscles, joints, nerves and other skeletal tissues. It recognises the important link between the structure of the body and how it functions. Osteopathic practitioners (university level) are trained in musculoskeletal diagnosis, management and treatment involving standardised medical examinations of the different human systems, which forms the clinical rationale for treating a patient’s condition. Osteopathic treatment varies from practitioner to practitioner, but generally involves manual therapy techniques including; massage, stretching, joint mobilisation and manipulation, dry-needling as well as management via exercise prescription. 
What to expect in your Osteopathy session? 
An Osteopathic manual practitioner will: 
1. Take your medical history
2. Provide a physical examination (orthopaedic and neurological testing)
3. Explain the presenting complaint and reasoning behind presentation
4. Formulate a treatment protocol involving manual therapy
5. Provide post treatment clinical re-evaluation
5. Give suitable at-home management structures (exc. prescription) to follow between appointments and to aid in long-term care 
Common complaints Osteopathic manual practitioners see: 
– Hips, back and shoulder pain
– Headaches and migraines
– Sports injuries and soreness
– Repetitive strain injuries
– Acute trauma and chronic pain dysfunctions
– Nerve pain and dysfunction
– Postural complaints
The 4 main principles of Osteopathy:
1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance
3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.