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)

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!

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.

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.