How often do I need to come for osteopathic treatment?

This varies from person to person, and depends on the specific nature of the problems a person is having. Some people who have a preventive, health-promotion mindset come regularly, like once a week or once a month. Other people come only when they are having a problem like neck or back pain. For problems such as a stiff, sore neck, back, or shoulder, often one or two treatments can be helpful in making some noticeable improvements.

Because osteopaths believe that the body needs time to process and integrate some of the effects of a treatment, we would usually see a person no more than one session per week. Once a problem settles down, we often reduce the frequency of osteopathic visits to once per month, every other month, or to three or four visits a year. Periodic check-ins can be helpful to reduce the frequency and intensity of flare-ups of tension and pain a person may be prone to experiencing.

You don't necessarily need to have a problem to have osteopathic treatment: osteopathy has been shown to promote better circulation throughout the body, to reduce a person's experience of stress, and to promote balance of the nervous system so that the body as a whole is able to function well.

Can I see other my other health-care practitioners while I'm having osteopathic treatment? 

Yes. In most cases, collaborative health-care is best for achieving the desired treatment outcomes. Because the osteopathic approach to treatment differs in some key ways from other manual therapies, it adds to a person's health. Some research has shown that having treatment from more than one type of health-care practitioner leads to better outcomes for that person's health. So having osteopathic treatment while keeping, for example,  physiotherapy appointments, can help a person to realize better results overall.  

What do I wear to my appointment?

We treat you in what you are comfortable wearing. Most people are fully clothed. For treatment purposes, we may ask you to remove shoes, or a belt, or a sweater if you have layers underneath, but we are able to do what we need to do with you fully clothed. You are always in control of your treatment and we listen to your wishes and respect them.

What is the difference between osteopathy, chiropractic, and physiotherapy, and massage therapy?

While there are certainly some similarities and cross-over between the different manual therapies, osteopathy has some treatment approaches, techniques and assessments that are unique to it. We believe in the benefits of physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage therapy, but as osteopaths, it is not for us to speak to those practices. Even though there is cross-over, most significantly, treatment of joints and soft-tissues, all of the manual therapies are complimentary and support one another.

Osteopathy is based on a global approach to health problems. By global, we mean that we consider the entire person. It does not focus merely on symptoms, but rather on the structural causes of problems that lead to symptoms. Osteopathy uses a wide array of techniques to treat musculo-skeletal issues (bones, muscles, and joints), visceral issues (organs) and nervous and circulatory system ailments.

Osteopathic Techniques include:                

                  - fascial techniques (e.g. myofascial release)

                  - muscle energy techniques (balancing of muscle tension)

                  - gentle joint mobilizations

                  - visceral manipulation (organs and their connective tissues)

                  - cranio-sacral techniques

What conditions do osteopaths treat?

The philosophical foundations of osteopathy are very clear: We treat people, not conditions. Trying to treat a specific symptom usually misses the mark. We consider how different symptoms may be related (for example, how headaches may be related to lower-back issues, how lower back issues may be related to an old ankle injury). By going over a person's health history, and understanding the body concerns a person is currently experiencing, and by assessing the body for problems with soft-tissues, bones, joints and organs, we form a clinical impression that informs our treatment approach. A treatment usually focuses on improving mobility in areas that are not moving well so that those structures can do the jobs they are meant to do. This often translates to improvements in how a person feels in their body, and improvements in how their body functions.

That said, there are a number of reasons why people have come to us for treatment in the past, including, but not limited to:

                  - Acute and Chronic Pain

                  - Headaches and Migraines

                  - TMJ issues (jaw pain, clicking, locking, grinding)

                  - Sinusitis (chronic sinus infection / irritation)

                  - Pregnancy issues: (sciatica, back pain, swelling / edema)

                  - Pediatric issues      

                  - Digestive issues: (IBS, GERD / reflux, constipation)

                  - Respiratory issues: (chronic sinusitis, shortness of breath)

                  - Genitourinary issues: (menstrual pain, bladder issues)

                  - Muscle spasms (tight, sore muscles)

                  - Working with scars: (freeing up scars from surgery or injury)  

                  - Neck, Back, Shoulder & Shoulder blade tightness / soreness

                  - Nerve impingements

- Low back, buttocks and leg pain and/or numbness (Sciatica)

- Neck, shoulder, and arm pain and/or numbness

                  - Tendinitis and Bursitis (overuse / repetitive strain injuries)

                  - Whiplash

                  - Concussion (post-concussion support)

                  - Tinnitus (ringing / sounds in the ears)

                  - Post Motor Vehicle Accident support

                  - Fibromyalgia support

Do I need to see my doctor for a referral to osteopathy?

Some insurance companies may require you to see your doctor first for a prescription / referral for reimbursement purposes. It is important to check with your extended health care provider to determine if you require a prescription / referral. You do not need to see a physician first if you are paying for your own appointment.

Is osteopathy is covered by my private extended health-care insurance?

Osteopathy is a private health service. As such, it is not reimbursed by provincial medicare, but it is frequently covered by extended health care plans. Reach out to your private insurance provider to gain further information regarding your coverage for osteopathic manual therapy. Most insurance companies will reimburse either the entirety or part of the costs.

What level of training do osteopaths at Well Within Osteopath have?

Rob and Tracy have both completed the Canadian College of Osteopathy’s extensive 5 year program as well as the additional year of research work required by the program. They each hold over a decade of experience as osteopaths. If you would like further details on their training and special areas of interest feel free to check out their bios. As members of the Association of Osteopaths of New Brunswick we meet the standards in osteopathic education as outlined by the World Health Organization in 2010

If you have questions about osteopathy and how it might benefit you, please reach out. Thank you!