Temporary Hold on New Clients Extended

Please take note, I am still not taking new clients, until wait times for existing clients needing follow up come down to more reasonable levels.

I hope to begin welcoming new clients again over the summer. If you would like to be put on my wait list for new clients, please fill out this form. I will clearly identify when I reopen for new clients, so until that time, please assume that only those who already have a file with me should use the online booking function.

In the meantime, we are blessed in this area with other osteopaths, as well as a number of skilled caregivers in other professions such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, and massage therapy.

Osteopathic Manual Practice is not Osteopathic Medicine

NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION OF OSTEOPATHS (MANUAL PRACTICE)
MEMBERS’ STATEMENT:

  • 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)

Please take note: fee change

Despite serious efforts on my part to minimize operating costs, after careful budget review, I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the COVID situation has made it impossible for me to maintain my current fee structure.

Starting Monday, August 17, there will be an increase in the cost of osteopathic care:

  • New intake appointments – $140
  • Follow up appointments – $110

What is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a type of gentle manual therapy that focuses on the close connection between structure and function. It aims to optimize body functioning by improving the resilience of body structures and the mechanical relationships between them.

Osteopathy is founded on a holistic appreciation of the human being: recognizing that all aspects of a person (physical, mental, emotional) are closely related; that the whole is more than the sum of its parts; that all of those parts are in constant communication with each other; and, that the body has tremendous healing capacity within itself.

In practical terms, what this means for clients is that I evaluate them from head to toe, gently addressing all areas where the tissue resilience and adaptability (or movement) are significantly lacking; that we don’t ignore the person in the body – acknowledging that fatigue, emotions and stress affect suffering; and that during the visit, we will discuss achievable ways in which clients can tweak their “lifestyle hygiene” (posture, movement, stress management, sleep habits, etc).

My ultimate goal is for you to not need me as soon as possible!

What will happen in treatment?

When you come to your appointment, please plan to bring or wear athletic clothing (or loose, stretchy clothing), such as gym shorts or yoga pants and a t-shirt or tank top (don’t forget the mask!)

We begin with a conversation – making sure that I understand your needs and am aware of all of your relevant medical history.

Next comes evaluation – taking a deep look at posture, movement, and the vitality and resilience of your tissues, with the goal of understanding how the patterns of function and limitation combine to create your current circumstances.

This is followed by treatment – the specific intervention is targeted to your individual needs, pain level, age, and overall health, also taking into account your personality and preferences. Osteopaths use a wide range of techniques targeting almost every structure in the body. My focus is usually on getting maximal change with minimal force.

At the end of the visit, we re-evaluate posture, movement and tissue resilience, and discuss self care options to help keep things moving forward between visits.

What about COVID-19?

Under the direction of Public Health and the Department of Health and Wellness, osteopaths in NS have been granted approval to reopen their clinics as of June 5, 2020.

Osteopathic care must adhere to specific criteria to ensure public health and safety. These include but are not limited to things like:

  • enhanced cleaning protocols and record keeping
  • daily self screening by the osteopath
  • screening clients shortly before their appointment day and again on arrival
  • use of non-medical masks by both osteopath and clients
  • respecting social distancing when possible
  • a COVID related consent form, reminding clients that osteopathic manual practitioners are not physicians, and that serious medical concerns require medical attention

Please note, your scheduled treatment must be cancelled if either you or I experience any symptoms of illness on the day of your appointment.

For more information, please refer to the Nova Scotia coronavirus webpage.

Online Booking is back!

I am delighted to finally be near the end of my COVID-19 cancellation rescheduling marathon.

The transfer of digital records from my Hennessey account to my Truro Osteopathy account has gone smoothly, which I think should mean that existing clients can login as before.

Please note that there are COVID-19 safety measures still in place, as required by Public Health (these are not at my discretion), and carefully read the instructions you receive about your appointment.

Opening soon – Tackling rescheduling

The Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths received confirmation yesterday afternoon that their reopening plan/criteria were approved by the NS Chief Medical Officer. As we collectively move toward reopening, I have been wrestling with trying to find the most timely and fair way to reschedule everyone who needs care and had their appointments cancelled by the pandemic.

To that end, if you would like to be rescheduled, please fill out this form (click link to go to form).

I plan to reopen gradually starting on June 11 (I do need some time now that we have the approved reopening plan to ensure that I am equipped and organized to follow all the necessary protocols).

Currently in wait mode

It has been a long lonely road while we collectively battle COVID-19.

First, I want to express continued gratitude to our first responders, our medical community and all those in the front lines who have kept us safe, cared for our health, and kept us nourished.

The NS government recently announced that unregulated health professions could begin reopening as early as June 5, if they were ready. At this moment, to my knowledge, the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths has not yet received approval from the Chief Medical Officer on the association’s re-opening plan.

I am anxious to get back to work helping to relieve suffering in this beautiful community… stay tuned!