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What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a manual therapy, and form of treatment, that seeks to restore the body’s function, by aligning the structure.
The Osteopathic approach to treatment
The Osteopathic approach to treatment views the structures of the body as interrelated. The practitioner seeks to restore health in a holistic manner through aligning the structures. The cause and effect relationship of excess tissue restriction over or around, joints, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and viscera, and their subsequent dysfunction, is one of the “principles” that osteopathy works from. The manual osteopathic practitioner, restores alignment, to relieve restrictions, within and around tissues, so that the body can access its own ability to heal.
A simple analogy
For a simple analogy let’s look at an injured hip, it could pull the pelvis out of alignment. Over time, fascial tension from the hip creates a cross body lines of force, through the torso, to the opposite shoulder. You seek help for your shoulder pain. You can treat the shoulder, but until you address the entire alignment of the body, including the old injury to the hip, you will only see the shoulder pain continue to reoccur.
The holistic approach
The approach of Osteopathy, is one that takes the entire body, the whole patient, and all aspects of their life into consideration when delivering treatment. It sets the structure right, so that the body is free to heal. Through patient education, the osteopath gives the patient the tools to maintain good health, and mechanical functioning of the body.
Meet Rachel
Rachel van Romondt M.OMSc., RMT
Osteopathic Manual Practitioner / Registered Massage Therapist
I am a duo licensed Manual Osteopath and Registered Massage Therapist, practicing in the health and wellness field for over 20 years. I work with people to address their pain, and help them move toward optimal health. In my treatments, I approach the body as a dynamic unit, to restore alignment in a gentle manner, allowing for proper function, health and wellness. I apply my decades of experience to help support individuals struggling with chronic and acute conditions alike.
In 2002 I received an Advanced Diploma in Massage Therapy from Centennial college, and became a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. From this point on, with a strong desire, to better understand body and how to maintain health, I began pursuing continued education relating to Fascia, PNF stretching, Yoga, Personal Training, and Structural Alignment. I completed my 500 hr. RYT, studied intensively the Anatomy trains, Ida Rolf, and personal training.
My love of classical osteopathy began over 15 years ago, when I was first introduced to it, as a means to address my repetitive strain injuries, and as a way to manage my scoliosis. My chronic pain from my scoliosis had improved more than I had thought possible. I decided to take the leap and embark on the full-time study of Osteopathy.
I graduated from The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in Hamilton, and a became a member of the Ontario Osteopathic Association in 2017, a program with over 4200 hours of education, and more than 1000 hours of practical training. Since graduating, I have directed my study into further focus in cranial techniques, with:
- Foundations of Pediatric Manual Therapy, FFAME- Family Focused Manual Applied Education 2023
- Cranial Considerations in Concussion Recovery 2023
- Align’d Approach Cranial-Facial-Cervical Trauma and tension 2023
Through my post-graduate studies and courses in Cranial-Facial and Cervical Trauma and Tension I am able to address conditions like:
- facial asymmetry, sinus problems and pain
- headaches, migraines
- torticollis, degenerative discs, cervical/spinal stenosis
- whiplash (including to the eye), MS, tactile defensiveness, hypersensitivity, trigeminal neuralgia, Bell’s palsy
- tongue thrust, tongue tie, tooth trauma including braces and post-dental, clenching, grinding or repeated stress on the jaw and teeth
- mouth breathing, swallowing and speech disorders, TMJ dysfunction, fractures (socket, jaw), mandible misalignment (bite problems)
- hearing problems that accompany TMJ and sinus issues, understanding tinnitus
- post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury, post-stroke, post-seizure, post-infection
- sleep-wake issues, apnea, snoring, grinding & clenching
- inflammation, congestion and pressure problems
- nerve injury or tension on any of the 12 pairs of cranial nerves
- consequences of calcification
At my Milton location, I am also able to apply Shockwave Therapy and PEMF treatments for Tendon & Ligament sprains, strains, degeneration and injury, Calcifications, Bone Spurs, Arthritis, Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splints and Fractures.