Physical Medicine

Osteopathy & Osteopathic Medicine

Founded by Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician in 1874, osteopathy emphasizes a holistic approach and the skilled use of a range of manual and physical treatment interventions in the prevention and treatment of disease. In practice, this most commonly relates to musculoskeletal problems such as back and neck pain. Osteopathic principles teach that treatment of the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles and joints) aids the recuperative powers of the body.

Bowen Therapy

Bowen Therapy is an osteopathic technique used to treat a variety of conditions, from musculoskeletal complaints and chronic pain syndromes, to respiratory, digestive, and gynecological conditions, that have been found to respond positively to the treatment over the past decades of its popular use.

The Bowen Technique involves specific sequences of gentle, rolling movement patterns across muscle bodies and connective tissue. The patient deeply relaxes on a treatment table during the session, while wearing loosely fitting clothing. While focusing on a muscle belly, tendon or nerve, each movement releases tension and local holding patterns that have prevented the body from restoring itself to a state free of pain, inflammation, or restrictions. The result is a more cohesive and balanced system, that functions better and more freely.

Appointments are usually scheduled a week apart, typically beginning with a series of 3 treatments prior to reassessment. During sessions, it is common practice to allow for short breaks in between series of moves, which allow for deeper states of relaxation, tension release and thus, overall effectiveness. In this case, less is more.

Craniosacral Therapy

Originating in the work of American osteopathic physician William Sutherland (1873-1954), Craniosacral therapy (CST) involves a gentle approach to optimizing the alignment, movement and function of the central supporting structure for the body which includes the sacrum or pelvis, spine, and cranium or skull. In addition to easing musculoskeletal pain, inducing states of deep relaxation, restoration and recuperation, stress is lessened on the nervous system. Treatment focuses on reducing areas of restriction, with emphasis placed on cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia. Conditions commonly treated include neck and back pain, chronic headaches and migraines, TMJ syndrome, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Activator Method

The Activator Methods Chiropractice Technique (AMCT) uses the latest advances in orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examinations to seek joint dysfunction in the spinal column and extremities for improved patient care. AMCT uses the Activator Adjusting Instrument to give consistent low force, high speed chiropractice adjustments. For more information, visit: Activator Methods International Ltd

Naturopathic Spinal Assessment and Manipulation / Adjustment

Naturopathic Physicians as well as chiropractors, are licensed in British Columbia to use spinal manipulations (adjustments) within their scope of practice.  This treatment involves locating, diagnosing and correcting joint and associated muscular dysfunction, fixations (subluxations) and misalignment of spinal or extremity joints. These abnormalities can result in abnormal joint movement and be a cause of pain.  The treatment involves the gentle re-setting of the joint restriction by adjustment.  The adjustment may cause a clicking sound, or may be a gentle low force maneuver, which is barely felt.  There are a great variety of techniques available to best address your needs.

Benefits of Spinal Adjustments

The effect of the adjustment is to improve mobility and nerve function throughout the entire body. Consequently, you not only feel better, but also the improved autonomic nervous system effect will regulate circulation to all muscles and tissues as well as directly improve organ function, resulting in an overall health benefit.

ArthroStim

Traditionally, the chiropractic adjustment consists of a single high-energy thrust in order to correct an area of the body and help stimulate the healing process. Through the adjustment a series of events are set into motion.

The precise movements produced by the adjustment stimulate a ‘neurological feedback system’ that the brain relies upon in order to update its awareness about the areas of the body, and to bring about healing changes.

The Arthrostim Instrument is a recent development in new ways to produce this important neurological feedback system.

The Arthrostim Instrument can deliver 1 or up to 12-14 rapid series recoiling thrusts per second, which works with the natural feedback cycle of the nervous system (low beta somatomotor rhythm). The result is an extremely comfortable yet highly effective adjustment. The effectiveness comes from the instrument’s controlled repetitive input, producing a cumulative ‘snowballing’ effect on the neural receptors. These thrusts create a barrage of nervous system stimulation to the brain, which can help reset dysfunctional muscular and skeletal patterns. Secondary trigger points and sites of muscular spasm are released in the process, providing the relief and corrections desired by both doctor and patient. Patients typically notice a positive difference with the first treatment.

As the major benefit in using the Arthrostim Instrument is the ability to reduce the amount of force applied while maintaining the adjustment’s effectiveness, the instrument has proven itself especially beneficial for the following:

• Individuals who cannot tolerate traditional adjustments
• Individuals who dislike having the spine ‘cracked’
• Individuals with disc problems or related spinal conditions
• Individuals with osteoporosis
• Individuals who are in acute or chronic pain
• Young children and infants
• Elderly Individuals
• Individuals with arthritic conditions

VibraCussor

A favourite with patients, the Vibracussor is used by many of the top sports organizations for muscle, ligament and related myofascial conditions (ex. scar tissue / muscle adhesions). Originally designed by legendary osteopath Dr. Robert C. Fulford, the instrument delivers waves of percussive impulses deep into the tissues of the body and is very effective in releasing these various soft tissue conditions, increasing circulation and lymphatic flow. This ‘up and down’ motion creates comfortable compression waves that travel through to the body’s deepest connective tissues to enable the doctor to free up entanglements without the need for heavy forces. The VibraCussor can also be used to flush muscles and minimize soreness after an athletic event.

This instrument is used along with our other osteopathic and naturopathic manipulation services to relax tense muscles, relieve lymphatic congestion, restore joint motion, reduce post-exertion muscle soreness, release superficial and deep fascia and free adhesions and scar tissue. The benefits include reduction or elimination in the frequency and intensity of musculoskeletal pain, decrease the need for pain medication and greatly improve the ability to participate or resume activities.

Percussive therapy with the VibraCussor is ideally designed and used for the following conditions:

• Joint Fixations (hands, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, foot)
• Postural distortions
• Myofascial restrictions (muscle pain, spasms, and tightness)
• Trigger points
• “Frozen” shoulder
• TMJ (jaw) problems