What is Osteopathy?

Pain that stems from a sports related injury can be close to unbearable, and knowing how to treat it feels nothing less than a daunting battle.  One highly beneficial treatment option is osteopathy, an important type of manual pain management that brings relief to the sufferer. So exactly what is osteopathy and how does it work to relieve pain?  

What is osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a holistic, non-invasive, medical technique that focuses on a total body approach to healing.  Its gentle massaging techniques not only treat and strengthen the site of the body that is experiencing pain, but reach the entire body. An osteopath will use a variety of massaging techniques, including the stretching of the soft tissue, deep tactile pressure, and the manipulation of joints.  These applications promote enhanced circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems.

What is osteopathy beneficial for?

Osteopathy is beneficial in the following ways:

1.       Non-surgical

2.       Whole body healing

3.       Stress relief

Since osteopathy is a non-surgical procedure, it offers pain management without the worry of taking time off work or avoiding regular activities you enjoy. Repeat osteopathy sessions allow for pain relief without the need for lengthy recovery times.

Osteopathy provides whole-body healing. This is because the philosophy behind osteopathy is that if one part of the body is suffering, the rest of the body works harder to compensate for it. Like a weak link in a chain, a weakness in one part of the body means an overall weakness of the entire body.  When one body part suffers and the other parts work harder to compensate, the end result can be inflammation, stiffness, tension, and most significantly, pain. Providing care to the whole body works to balance the whole body, eliminating the need for compensation by dealing with the problematic root issues.

In addition to providing whole-body healing, what is osteopathy useful for?

Stress relief. Although osteopathy is not preventative, it is an invaluable stress reliever that promotes better mental and physical health.

So what is osteopathy and what are the benefits of osteopathic therapy?

Ridding yourself of the chronic pain caused by a sports related injury is important, and choosing osteopathy is choosing a non-surgical, worry-free and effective method of whole-body pain relief.

For more answers to the ‘what is osteopathy’ question, and for consultation about how it is beneficial to you, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling 416 800 0800, or visit www.aesm.ca