Manual osteopathic therapy is a form of osteopathic care that uses hands-on assessment and treatment to work with your muscles, joints and the tissues around them.

Kirsten looks at how your joints, muscles and nervous system work together, not just the spot that hurts. For example, if your back hurts, she may also check your hips and the way you walk. The goal is to understand what may be contributing to your pain and choose care that fits your needs.

Treatment may include gentle joint movement, stretching, hands-on work for tight muscles and tips on how to move between visits.

Many people look into osteopathy when pain lingers, keeps returning or rest alone hasn't helped.

Both use hands-on care but approach treatment differently.

Massage therapy often focuses on muscles and other soft tissues, and clients typically undress down to their comfort level (often to underwear) under a drape for direct skin-to-muscle work, applying pressure to knots until they physically relax.

Manual osteopathic therapy considers how your joints and surrounding tissues move together, which involves posture assessments and gently moving, stretching, and manipulating your framework (joints, bones, and deep tissues) while you remain fully clothed to take the structural stress off your muscles so they can relax on their own.

There is overlap between the two treatments. Kirsten offers both services and can explain which appointment suits your goals.

Both look at your body as a whole to uncover the root cause of pain, focus on your body’s alignment and movement, and are excellent for rehabilitation or preventative care, but they use different approaches to get you moving comfortably.

Physiotherapy is primarily an exercise-led approach that uses movement retraining, targeted strengthening, and stretching programs to actively build long-term physical resilience.

Manual osteopathic therapy is a purely hands-on approach using gentle mobilization and manual adjustments to restore physical alignment without active exercise prescriptions.

If you need a rehabilitation or preventative care plan, our team can help you choose the right starting point.

Manual osteopathy is highly effective for both sudden injuries and a wide range of aches, pains, and long-term discomfort.

It commonly helps with:

• Back & Neck Pain: Lower back pain, neck stiffness, and sciatica.

• Joint Discomfort: Pain or stiffness in your hips, knees, ankles, or shoulders.

• Headaches & Jaw Tension: Tension headaches, migraines, and TMJ/jaw pain.

• Posture & Desk Strain: Aches caused by sitting at a computer or driving.

• Repetitive Strain: Conditions like tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome.

• Stress & Digestion: Calming a wound-up nervous system and easing digestive bloating or tension.

Manual osteopathy is generally much gentler than expected, usually feeling like a deep stretch or a firm massage. While joint manipulation can sometimes cause a painless "pop" or "click," the focus is on rhythmic, comfortable movement. You may experience mild soreness or stiffness for 24 to 48 hours after treatment as your body adjusts. Most importantly, you are always in control of your session. Tell Kirsten what feels comfortable and what doesn’t. She can adjust the pressure or approach, and you can ask to pause or stop at any time.

An initial appointment usually takes 75 minutes to complete a comprehensive health history review, a full-body structural assessment, and your first hands-on treatment session. Follow-up appointments are 45, 60, or 90 minutes depending on your specific treatment goals and progress. During your subsequent follow-up sessions, Kirsten will recommend the best time length based on the complexity of the issues you are working through together.

The number of sessions depends on your symptoms, health history, and response to care. If it's a recent injury, we'd usually schedule 2 or 3 appointments close together in the first couple of weeks to get the pain under control quickly. If it's a chronic condition, or if you are looking for maintenance and prevention, we'll design a personalized plan where appointments are progressively spaced further out as your body begins to heal and hold its alignment on its own. After your initial assessment, Kirsten will discuss this plan with you. Follow-up appointments are a great chance to review your changes and decide together what comes next.

Many people notice a change in pain or movement within their first two or three sessions, and some feel easier movement right away. Each visit builds on the last, because Kirsten adjusts your treatment to how your body responded. You might feel mildly sore for a day or two afterward, a lot like after a good workout.

While manual osteopathy is safe and gentle for most people, you should seek medical advice or avoid treatment if you have certain medical conditions affecting your bones, joints, or circulation. Extra care is needed, and techniques must be modified or avoided if you have:

• Active Bone Injuries: Recent fractures, dislocations, or bone infections.

• Severe Bone Fragility: Advanced osteoporosis or conditions that severely weaken your bones.

• Inflammatory Joints: Active flare-ups of inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis).

• Circulatory or Blood Disorders: Active deep vein thrombosis (blood clots), bleeding disorders, or if you take prescription blood-thinning medications.

• Unexplained Symptoms: Sudden or severe neurological signs, such as progressive limb weakness, numbness, or severe headaches.

Always provide a full and accurate medical history before your session so treatment can be tailored to prioritize your safety.

You’ll be fully clothed during your treatment, so please wear loose, flexible clothing that allows you to move easily. Stretchy athletic wear like yoga pants, leggings, sweatpants, and a comfortable t-shirt or tank top are ideal options. It is best to avoid stiff fabrics like jeans, or bulky items with heavy zippers, buttons, or belts, as these can restrict your range of motion and make it harder to assess your alignment.

Yes. Many people book manual osteopathic therapy alongside other care at our clinic. Each treatment has a different focus:

• Manual osteopathic therapy looks at how different areas of your body move together.

• Massage therapy eases tension in your muscles and soft tissues.

• Physiotherapy builds strength and movement through exercise and rehabilitation.

• Dry needling targets tight or sensitive spots in a specific muscle.

• Shockwave therapy focuses on a specific tendon or area of long-lasting pain.

With your consent, Kirsten can coordinate with your other practitioners so your treatments support each other. If you're also seeing a doctor or specialist, let her know so she can plan around your medical care. Check your benefits too, since each service may have separate coverage limits.

No referral is needed. You can book directly through our website or by contacting our administrative team.

Your first visit is a 75-minute assessment and treatment for $175. Follow-up visits are:

• 45 minutes: $115

• 60 minutes: $140

• 90 minutes: $190

Many extended health plans cover manual osteopathic therapy under osteopathy benefits, separate from massage. Direct billing may not be available with all insurers, so check your coverage before your visit. Kirsten will recommend a follow-up length based on your needs.