Osteopathic Manual Therapy
What is Osteopathic Manual Therapy? Do you have to go to school for that?
Seriously, I’m asked questions like this all the time and you’d think that by this time I would have an easy answer. You know like a 2 minute elevator speech or something. …I don’t. Since International Osteopathic Healthcare Week is approaching, April 16-22, I’m going to get a jump on things!
First off, I am an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (DOMP) with a Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice, so not a Doctor. I attended the College d’Etude Osteopathiques (CEO)-Halifax, a five-year part time program for people who already have a background in the health field (mine is Holistic Nutrition). After completion of my fifth year written and practical exams (2011), I successfully defended my thesis: The Association Between the Therapist’s Centered State and Cardiac Coherence, June 2012 in front of an international jury in Montreal.
Then and only then was I granted the designation of DOMP…whew!
Fun fact (??) CEO was first opened in Montreal, 1982, with the Halifax campus opening in 2002, so it’s been around for a while. A colleague mentioned that the Osteopathic program at CEO is really a part time program that you think about/study full-time and she is bang on with that statement! It takes a village to raise an Osteopath…really!
Osteopathy is a way of thinking, as opposed to a way of doing so all DOMPs, even if we studied at the same school, apply the principles differently.
I consider myself a sensorial intuitive Osteopath as I let my hands (palpation) guide me to restrictions in the client as opposed to performing mechanical testing. One thing that drew me to study Osteopathy was the blend of both science (anatomy/physiology) and art (palpation/touch as both a diagnostic and treatment tool). I found it fascinating and still do…I have said many times that when I started studying, and even before, I was in awe of the Osteopath. By the time I finished my formal training, I was and still am, in awe of the human body and its maker.
My treatments are gentle but effective. As a DOMP my job is to help the body better express its health and vitality by removing restriction. Everyone leaves my office with some take home tools in regards to diet/lifestyle! We all bring to our practice of Osteopathy, the background that brought us here, whether it’s nutrition, massage, athletic therapy, kinesiology or nursing.
All DOMP’s in Nova Scotia, are required to carry malpractice insurance and show proof of continuing education hours (75/3year cycle), to both the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners and Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths.
Looking for more information, check out:
http://www.novascotiaosteopaths.ca/wp/
http://www.osteopathyontario.org
http://www.osteopathy-halifax.ca