Osteopathic Manual Therapy in Halifax

Relax and Restore Well-being with Osteopathic Manual Therapy

Our body has an innate ability to heal itself. However, there are instances when it is unable to do so. This can be due to injuries, stress, or illnesses. Osteopathic manual therapy can help in these situations as it promotes the body's own healing process.

Osteopathic manual therapy is available for everyone, including infants and children. From office workers to athletic individuals, osteopathic manual therapy can be used to improve posture, manage chronic pain, and prevent the onset of injuries.

Osteopathic manual therapy focuses on the patient and the principle that the body structures and functions are interrelated. And when there is a balance within these systems, patients can reduce stress and dysfunction.

What Does Osteopathic Manual Therapy Involve

Osteopathic manual therapy usually incorporate stretching exercises and other techniques, such as massage. Your Osteopathic Manual Practitioner will customize a treatment plan depending on your healthcare needs.

Manual therapy is a crucial part of the treatment process. Osteopathic manual practitioner use their hands and a high developed sense of touch called skilled palpation to examine the health of the spine, organs and soft tissues (muscles, fascia and ligaments). Affected joints will be treated with gentle manipulation to improve alignment and range of movement. You will also be provided rehabilitative advice which you can apply to your daily routine.

What to Expect During Your First Appointment

During your first meeting with your osteopathic manual practitioner, you will be asked about symptoms you are experiencing. Share details about your health-related problems and any type of treatment and medications you used to address them. The information you provide is held in confidentiality.

Your osteopathic manual practitioner may also request that you perform simple movements, such as walking, should they deem a condition is related to specific areas of your body. You may also be asked to remove items of clothing so that the affected area of your body can be properly examined. Because of this, it helps to bring a pair of shorts and a t-shirt or tank top to your appointment.

Your osteopathic manual practitioner will conduct a further assessment of the affected area to identify issues and possible treatments. It’s highly likely they will also recommend particular exercises you can perform at home to help ease your condition.

The duration of your first appointment may vary as your osteopathic manual practitioner deems necessary. Your osteopathic manual practitioner may also refer you to another therapist at One to One Wellness or an outside specialist, depending on their findings.

Conditions that Osteopathic Manual Therapy Can Help Treat

Osteopathic manual therapy patients can range from babies to elderly people. Here are common conditions osteopathic manual therapy can be used for.

Muscle pain, especially back and neck problems
Sports injuries
Spine alignment and positioning issues
Arthritis
Joint pain, examples are hip and shoulder joint pain
Recovery from head trauma and concussions

Benefits

Osteopathic manual therapy look into your body as a whole. They can be beneficial for many reasons:

Address underlying causes of pain
Minimize joint pain and stiffness
Improve range of movement
Treat spinal issues
Improve posture
Minimize muscle tension
Ease headaches
Reduce stress
Treat trauma brought about by accidents
Help pregnant women adjust to hormonal changes
Encourage blood circulation

Overall, osteopathic manual therapy, as a treatment, can also be very relaxing. Your stress levels are reduced and body efficiency is improved.

Finding an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner in Halifax

Osteopathic manual practitioners are complementary healthcare practitioners. Generally, a Postgraduate degree is required to practice osteopathic manual therapy. Further requirements may differ per location.

Here at One to One Wellness in Halifax, we also offer osteopathic manual therapy to our patients. Patients of all ages are welcome to come in for an assessment.

Whether you are curious as to how osteopathic manual therapy can help you or are unsure what the problem is, our osteopathic manual practitioner and the rest of our team can accommodate you.

Call us today at (902) 425-3775 or make an appointment online to get started with your booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Professional osteopathic treatment in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Not Sure If One to One Wellness Can Help?
Try a Free Screening.

We offer a free screening so we can understand what you are experiencing and determine if physiotherapy, osteopathy, and/or massage therapy can help. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification, and address any concerns about your health or past experiences. It is designed for you to make an informed choice and know if the One to One approach is the best for you to achieve your health goals.

Not sure where to go for treatment for your condition in Halifax?
Get to know us with a Free Screening.

Choosing the right physiotherapist or osteopath for you is one of the most important decisions you can make to accelerate your recovery or help you overcome pain. Unfortunately, many people make this choice based solely on location or convenience, rather than checking out their options, finding the best fit, and ensuring the right approach.

There is, of course, no obligation. If therapy is recommended, we will be happy to schedule a full evaluation for you and continue the process to strengthen your health.

Sarah Taggart M.Ost UK

Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

Professional memberships: The General Osteopathic Council (United Kingdom), the Ontario Association of Osteopaths, and the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths.

Sarah graduated from Dalhousie University with a B.Sc. in Neuroscience as her first degree. Her keen interest in human anatomy, physiology, and psychology combined with a passion for enhancing health and wellness led her to study osteopathy. Sarah then earned a Master’s degree in Osteopathy from the University College of Osteopathy (formerly the British School of Osteopathy) in London, UK.

Sarah was drawn to the practice of osteopathy based on its core principles and approach to patient healthcare. Osteopathy is a manual therapy that views the body as a dynamic and interconnected unit, in which the person’s biology, psychological state, and social situation impact one another. The osteopathic approach to healthcare is a patient-centred one where the therapist strives to act as a catalyst in the person’s recovery process and their ability to manage their condition.

Her personal experience in the healthcare system has helped her understand the value of a patient-centred approach. In order to achieve a positive outcome, Sarah believes that healthcare must be a partnership between patient and practitioner. Each patient’s health needs and goals should be heard and treated in a manner individual to them.

Sarah aims to enhance each patient’s health and well-being by identifying the factors that are influencing the individual’s capacity to adapt and function in their environment. She tailors each appointment and management plan to suit the client’s personal goals, lifestyle, and general well-being by using a range of osteopathic manual techniques, providing lifestyle and exercise recommendations, and educating patients. Sarah predominantly works with structural osteopathic techniques but also uses craniosacral, functional, and visceral modalities.

She has experience providing osteopathic care in the UK and Canada. She is pleased to be working in Nova Scotia and providing care to people in her home community. Sarah regularly treats people in various stages of life, from youths to seniors, and with diverse needs, including athletes, pregnant women and office workers. She welcomes new and returning patients to her practice.

Sarah comes from Dartmouth, NS, where she has been involved in organized sport, community service, and leading youth recreational activities for most of her life. She enjoys spending time swimming, running, hiking, and playing soccer, as well as playing the piano and travelling.

I am a member in good standing of the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths (NSAO). As a member of the NSAO, I am not an Osteopathic Physician, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO, formerly Doctor of Osteopathy), nor do I practice Osteopathic Medicine. In Nova Scotia, Osteopathic Manual Practice is not regulated by the government, however, the NSAO is actively seeking government regulation to protect the public and our profession. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners are not members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia (CPSNS).