It has long been my dream to work in a multidisciplinary clinic. In July of 1999 I was able to begin realizing this dream.

Being surrounded by kind and like-minded individuals, and working in a bright, uplifting environment has made my practice a pleasure.

I have also benefited from the knowledge and experience of the various professionals in the Vital Path Health Centre.

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Background

In 1983 I graduated from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, with a BSc in physiotherapy. The profession was hugely in demand, but I chose to work in Moncton, NB. There were numerous rotations to choose from and I worked in several areas: neurology, acute respiratory care, amputees and both in-patient and out-patient orthopaedics.

Orthopaedics mainly involves problems with the musculo-skeletal system, i.e. muscles, joints, nerves, tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue. This includes neck and back pain, headaches, sports injuries, and arthritis. These are caused largely by trauma (injury), overuse (repetitive strain injury or RSI), accidents, lack of exercise and poor postural habits. When pain starts to interfere with activity, (work, sport, hobbies or play) it is considered a dysfunction.

I was astounded at the prevalence of this type of problem, and noted that early relief of pain was essential to avoid the pain from becoming chronic. Although my training had been excellent, I realized that I had a lot to learn about orthopaedics if I wanted to help some of the more complicated cases. Indeed, sometimes I joke that many of my patients in the first two years of practice got better DESPITE physiotherapy!

MY OSTEOPATHIC ODYSSEY:Eventually I found my way to Montreal, where I worked 4 years at the now defunct Reddy Memorial Hospital. At this time I began studies at Le College d'Etudes Osteopathiques. (Montreal College of Osteopathy). I am thankful to the many wonderful teachers who had energy and vision. They prepared the students to tackle the puzzle of pain by searching for the cause of the dysfunction, rather than treating the symptoms.

What is an Osteopath?

Osteopathy was first taught in the United States in 1874, at the same time chiropractors were developing their profession. There were initial similarities, but soon the cranial practitioners diverged substantially from the musculo-skeletal approach of the chiropractors. In fact, so many MD's were overseas for WWII that osteopathic technique was increasingly in demand and popularity surged. In the United States today, medical students can choose to go to regular or osteopathic medical school. If they choose the latter, most of the training is the same, but roughly 10% differs in that hands-on techniques including joint, cranial and visceral manipulation are taught.

Osteopathic Training in Canada?

Osteopathic in Canada has its roots in the Montreal College(1981), which has associated colleges in Toronto, Quebec, Munich (Germany) and more recently, Vancouver. Teachers are local, but come from Europe as well, where osteopathy has been increasingly recognized since 1917.

Students come from various backgrounds: medicine, physiotherapy, nursing, massage therapy, athletic trainers, dentistry, and chiropractics. There is also a pre-professional one or two year program to prepare for the 5-year study. The program includes 5-6 seminars/ year, several presentations integrating theoretical and practical knowledge, oral and written exams, "baby days" during which we learn how to adapt techniques for children and infants as young as new-borns, and clinical days during which we put head and hands together in treating patients from outside the school.

In Canada, osteopathy is not yet a regulated health profession; however, in Quebec and Ontario insurance companies are increasingly paying extended health fees for osteopathic treatment because the results have been so good. It is recognized that graduates of the Canadian Colleges do not have the right to practice osteopathy, but it is within the scope of the professional to use manual techniques that treat all the tissues of the body. As a physiotherapist, my mandate is to restore the best quality of movement that the patient is able to do. I choose to use methods taught at the college, those that integrate joint, cranial and visceral manipulation.

What is Cranio-Sacral Therapy?

Many practitioners have incorporated cranio-sacral body work into their practice. The cranio-sacral membrane (see below) is the link between the various systems of the body - eg: muscles, joints, central and peripheral nervous systems, digestive, elimination, and immune system. Many therapists use a subtle "cranio-sacral" or myofascial release to restore harmony to the body. This method has been largely advanced and popularized by John Upledger, DO, and to some extent by others. Upledger also teaches somato-emotional release, which involves both the physical and emotional aspects of healing. Students of this method progress at their own speed, taking the various levels of courses when and where they can.

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