About Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a precise manual (hands-on) therapy based on the philosophy that all systems of the body are reliant on each other, and that no one system can be either healthy and functional, or unhealthy and dysfunctional on its own. In other words, each system from nose to toe is connected, and ultimately affected by one another.
Osteopathic practitioners believe that a person is capable of optimum health, as long as the body, mind and spirit can work together in harmony. Osteopathic treatment focuses on the physical body by addressing maladaptive areas with focused hands-on treatment using a variety of manual techniques and an extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.
Osteopathic practitioners treat a range of conditions and compensatory patterns that could result in various and sometimes unexplained or unusual symptoms. Chronic conditions not easily addressed by conventional or allopathic medicines are often helped by osteopathic treatment.
Techniques include, but are not limited to, cranial sacral, muscle energy, visceral and fascial. Systems addressed include the musculoskeletal, fascial, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, nervous, urinary, and reproductive.
Treatment targets the maladapted areas and systems and then integrates the whole body to ensure proper biomechanical, visceral and craniosacral mobility, and anatomical alignment.
Conditions and compensatory patterns treated include, but are not limited to:
Depending on the condition or problem many patients benefit from combination therapies that might include but are not limited to naturopathy or nutrition advice, acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, physiotherapy, and psychotherapy.
For example, a patient comes in to see me with left shoulder pain that is limiting their range of motion and interrupting sleep. Prior physical treatment directly to the shoulder and anti-inflammatory medication has not helped. There was no method of injury that the patient can recall and nothing shows up in the x-ray or ultrasound. The health history reveals a four-year-old badly sprained right ankle that still swells a little; chronic generalized low back pain; long-term irritable bowel syndrome; a childhood history of recurrent bronchitis; occasional bouts of heartburn; and a scar from a burst appendix six years ago.
My physical investigation reveals significant weight-bearing and calf tension on the right. The right hip is not aligned with the left and comparatively restricted in movement. Tension in the abdomen is significant in the right lower portion and is tender to pressure. The left side of the rib cage does not expand as well as the right with breathing. The left shoulder is lower than the right, and the whole ribcage is shifted left over the pelvis and rotated right. Several areas in the spine are restricted and tender. The muscles of the left shoulder are very tense and painful and the base of the cranium is tender to the touch and muscularly tight.
The primary pain the patient feels is in the shoulder, but if I treat the shoulder directly, I am treating the most current symptom of a preceding series of adaptations and compensations that involve several systems. The shoulder is not the cause of the dysfunction; rather the pain and shoulder problems are a result of long-standing and cumulative structural and biomechanical effects for which the patient is no longer able to use all of their systems to adapt and compensate.
Direct shoulder treatment might be able to help decrease the pain temporarily, but unless the patterns of adaptation and compensation that resulted in the aching shoulder are addressed, the pain and dysfunction will likely return.
This is where osteopathic treatment differs significantly from other forms of manual therapy. To achieve a long-lasting resolution of the shoulder dysfunction, treatment may have to begin at the ankle, or the hip, or the head depending on assessment of the most restricted area or system. As treatment progresses and the maladaptive areas are normalized, health is restored and the shoulder problem may even spontaneously resolve.
Osteopathic practitioners believe that a person is capable of optimum health, as long as the body, mind and spirit can work together in harmony. Osteopathic treatment focuses on the physical body by addressing maladaptive areas with focused hands-on treatment using a variety of manual techniques and an extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.
Osteopathy treats for longevity in health. Treatment may or may not result in a quick resolution of symptoms, but ultimately the goal is to achieve a long lasting change of causal factors to restore the body's ability to properly adapt and heal.
Osteopathic practitioners treat a range of conditions and compensatory patterns that could result in various and sometimes unexplained or unusual symptoms. Chronic conditions not easily addressed by conventional or allopathic medicines are often helped by osteopathic treatment.
Techniques include, but are not limited to, cranial sacral, muscle energy, visceral and fascial. Systems addressed include the musculoskeletal, fascial, cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, nervous, urinary, and reproductive.
Treatment targets the maladapted areas and systems and then integrates the whole body to ensure proper biomechanical, visceral and craniosacral mobility, and anatomical alignment.
What Osteopathic Manual Practitioners Treat
Osteopathic practitioners treat a range of conditions that could result in various and sometimes unexplained or unusual symptoms.Conditions and compensatory patterns treated include, but are not limited to:
- Muscle aches and pains including back and neck pain that may be acute or chronic.
- Digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, hiatus hernia.
- Autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis, anklyosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sj-gren's syndrome, and lupus.
- Headaches, including migraines and pressure headaches.
- Reproductive and gynecological issues, such as menstrual pain and irregularity.
- Unexplained infertility issues (pelvic misalignment).
- Chronic pelvic pain syndromes.
- Degenerative disc disease, bulging or herniated discs.
- Systemic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, anxiety.
- Whiplash injuries from accidents.
- Concussion syndrome.
- Repetitive strain injuries, including carpal tunnel.
- Frozen shoulder.
- Neurological symptoms such as sciatic pain, or positional numbness and tingling.
Depending on the condition or problem many patients benefit from combination therapies that might include but are not limited to naturopathy or nutrition advice, acupuncture, homeopathy, massage therapy, physiotherapy, and psychotherapy.
An Osteopathic Perspective
Osteopathy treats for longevity in health. Treatment may or may not result in a quick resolution of symptoms, but ultimately the goal is to achieve a long lasting change of causal factors to restore the body's ability to properly adapt and heal.For example, a patient comes in to see me with left shoulder pain that is limiting their range of motion and interrupting sleep. Prior physical treatment directly to the shoulder and anti-inflammatory medication has not helped. There was no method of injury that the patient can recall and nothing shows up in the x-ray or ultrasound. The health history reveals a four-year-old badly sprained right ankle that still swells a little; chronic generalized low back pain; long-term irritable bowel syndrome; a childhood history of recurrent bronchitis; occasional bouts of heartburn; and a scar from a burst appendix six years ago.
Direct shoulder treatment might be able to help decrease the pain temporarily, but unless the patterns of adaptation and compensation that resulted in the aching shoulder are addressed, the pain and dysfunction will likely return.
My physical investigation reveals significant weight-bearing and calf tension on the right. The right hip is not aligned with the left and comparatively restricted in movement. Tension in the abdomen is significant in the right lower portion and is tender to pressure. The left side of the rib cage does not expand as well as the right with breathing. The left shoulder is lower than the right, and the whole ribcage is shifted left over the pelvis and rotated right. Several areas in the spine are restricted and tender. The muscles of the left shoulder are very tense and painful and the base of the cranium is tender to the touch and muscularly tight.
The primary pain the patient feels is in the shoulder, but if I treat the shoulder directly, I am treating the most current symptom of a preceding series of adaptations and compensations that involve several systems. The shoulder is not the cause of the dysfunction; rather the pain and shoulder problems are a result of long-standing and cumulative structural and biomechanical effects for which the patient is no longer able to use all of their systems to adapt and compensate.
Direct shoulder treatment might be able to help decrease the pain temporarily, but unless the patterns of adaptation and compensation that resulted in the aching shoulder are addressed, the pain and dysfunction will likely return.
This is where osteopathic treatment differs significantly from other forms of manual therapy. To achieve a long-lasting resolution of the shoulder dysfunction, treatment may have to begin at the ankle, or the hip, or the head depending on assessment of the most restricted area or system. As treatment progresses and the maladaptive areas are normalized, health is restored and the shoulder problem may even spontaneously resolve.
Or, call Monica to discuss your scheduling needs:
647-981-6871
About Monica Noy
I have been a practicing manual therapist for nine years and an instructor for six years. My passion for treating osteopathically is matched only by my passion for being treated. Osteopathic treatment changed my life so significantly that I was compelled to be a part of this healthcare field and strive to offer the same kind of care, devotion and instruction that I received.
I have a special interest in treating long-term, chronic, and autoimmune conditions.
I strive to provide treatment that is collaborative with both patient and other healthcare professionals, and to provide a safe and welcoming space for members of the LGBTQ community.
I have a special interest in treating long-term, chronic, and autoimmune conditions.
I strive to provide treatment that is collaborative with both patient and other healthcare professionals, and to provide a safe and welcoming space for members of the LGBTQ community.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (D.O.M.P.)
Graduate of the Canadian College of Osteopathy
BSc. (Hons) via the British College of Osteopathic Medicine and Metropolitan University of London
Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
Valedictorian Graduate of Sutherland-Chan Schools.
Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.
Graduate of the Canadian College of Osteopathy
- Louisa Burns DO Thesis Award for outstanding research.
- Clinic Supervisor
- Assistant Instructor
- Research Thesis Advisor
- Proposal and Thesis Jury Member
BSc. (Hons) via the British College of Osteopathic Medicine and Metropolitan University of London
Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
Valedictorian Graduate of Sutherland-Chan Schools.
- Continuing Education Instructor (post-graduate courses for RMTs)
Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.