There are arguably more similarities than differences between the two professions. Both Osteopathy and Physical Therapy treat musculoskeletal pain and use hands-on treatments. In addition, Osteopaths and Physical Therapists both train extensively in anatomy, physiology and pathology.

Osteopaths work from the viewpoint that the ‘body is a whole’: all the body’s systems are interconnected and it has a self-healing mechanism. Conversely, Physical Therapy is more closely aligned with traditional Western medicine. The focus is more on the problem area presented and treatment is specific to that area, rather than the whole body.

The training for each profession also differs. Canadian trained Osteopathic Manual Therapists (such as Allix Devenish) are in school for four years with over 2,000 hours of touch-training. As such, Osteopaths have a highly-developed sense of palpation. Training focuses on musculoskeletal health. Osteopaths can also specialize in visceral, cranial, women’s health and pediatrics. Physical Therapists obtain a Doctor of Physical Therapy and their rotations include musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and respiratory training. Physical Therapist training is often less ‘hands-on’ than Osteopathy.

Physical Therapists are taught to follow treatment protocols and provide rehabilitative exercise-based treatment. This approach is designed to help get patients back to full fitness after an ‘injury’. While Osteopathic treatment is 90% hands-on, the majority of Physical Therapists use a 60% hands-on approach. Other techniques include observation of movement and electrotherapy. Physical Therapy treatment will focus on mobilizing the site of injury rather than the ‘whole body’ approach of Osteopathy. There is also a greater emphasis on exercise-based management.

Despite their differences in philosophy and treatment, the aim of both Osteopathy and Physical Therapy is to relieve pain and help your body work well. It’s important to remember, too, that no two practitioners will provide the exact same treatment. It’s worth researching and trying different people so that you find a practitioner who best suits you and your needs.

The number of required sessions will depend on several factors, including the condition being treated, the severity of the condition, and how long the issue has been going on. If your symptoms are currently severe — to the point where they affect your ability to manage daily life activities — you may benefit from a period of more frequent sessions. In general, conditions that have been going on for longer periods of time will benefit from more sessions. When estimating the length of your treatment plan, we take into consideration the signs and symptoms you are experiencing, as well as your personal history, your current lifestyle, the environmental factors that may influence your condition, and any forms of therapy you may be receiving outside of acupuncture. Feedback from your sessions will play an important role in assessing your responsiveness to treatments and finding the most effective path toward healing.

We do not offer reminder calls or provide emails to offer electronic reminder services. It is common for us to write your next appointment on the back of your receipt or on a business card. Feel free to text us if you have forgotten.

A washroom is located within the clinic.