Unlike conventional therapies that target specific injuries such as knee or shoulder pain, osteopathy focuses on treating the entire person. It’s a holistic approach to healthcare that focuses on addressing the root cause of various ailments or conditions.
Manual osteopathic practitioner Shawn D’Souza explains, “The osteopathic perspective is you’re treating a person rather than an injury.”
This means looking beyond the immediate issue to understand how posture, past injuries, and overall body function contribute to the condition.
How It Differs from Physiotherapy and Chiropractic Care
Physiotherapy tends to focus on localized treatment. If you have a shoulder injury, a physiotherapist may primarily work on strengthening and rehabilitating that shoulder. While this can be highly effective, osteopathy broadens the scope.
“Physiotherapy generally tends to be more local… But the beauty of the osteopathic approach is it’s not limited to that,” says Shawn.
By evaluating how other parts of the body contribute to the issue, osteopathy aims for long-term solutions rather than symptom management.
While chiropractic care may involve high-force adjustments and structured treatment plans, osteopathy takes a gentler, more adaptable approach. Osteopathic treatment is manual and non-invasive, working with the body’s tissues to encourage self-regulation and healing. Rather than relying on frequent repeat sessions, osteopathy emphasizes the body’s ability to maintain its own corrections.
Collaboration for Better Outcomes
One of osteopathy’s strengths is its ability to integrate with other treatments. It complements physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and even medical interventions when necessary. Osteopathic practitioners explore the complete picture of a client’s health and do not hesitate to suggest other specialists when needed, ensuring a well-rounded approach to healing.
Experience a Whole-Body Approach That Gets Results
If you’re looking for care that goes beyond symptom relief and focuses on your overall well-being, consider osteopathy. Book a session today with at LiveWell Health and Wellness with Shawn or another one of our manual osteopathic practitioners.
Experience how a whole-body approach can lead to lasting improvements in your health and mobility.
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