What does treatment look like?

Together the patient and practitioner will review the health history and discuss goals for treatment. Patients stay fully clothed and will be asked to sit, stand, and lay down on a table in positions that are comfortable to them. Assessment and treatment requires the practitioner to be physically close to the patient. They will use their knowledge of functional anatomy, biomechanics and finely tuned sense of palpation (touch) to find and gently correct areas of restriction. You can expect your Osteopathic treatment to be between 20-30 minutes depending on the requirements to affect change in your body that day and at what stage of the treatment process you are in.

What is Principles Based Osteopathy?

Osteopathy works by restoring physiological function through anatomical/structural adjustments made to areas of restriction in the body. Osteopathy is its own science, philosophy, and treatment process founded by Dr. A.T. Still in 1874 - it's not an "add-on" course to any other modality. Other therapists may offer osteopathic inspired techniques in conjunction with their main services (ie. massage), but it is important to note there is a vast difference in these approaches.

Restriction in the body can present as limited range of motion or change in the tissues. Lack of motion affects all systems in the body from arterial blood supply, venous blood return, nervous system function and lymphatic circulation which all play into the presentation of symptoms in the patient.

Principle-based treatment utilizes tools such as joint mobilization, spinal manipulation, cranial sacral therapy, and soft tissue therapy to restore motion on a structural level and effect change on a physiological level. Because it doesn’t only rely on a set of techniques, treatment is fully customized to fit each patients unique presentation and mechanism of injury.

Who should see an Osteopathic Practitioner?

Osteopathy can effectively bring relief and provide a long term solution for individuals dealing with acute pain such a spasms, strains and sprains; chronic pain, headaches and migraines, digestive complaints, neurological disorders, sports related pain, pregnancy related pain and discomforts. In addition, Osteopathy for proactive care is a wonderful option. Assessing and removing restriction in the body before it presents as symptoms can be the best course of action.

Is it safe?

Yes, osteopathy is a safe and effective treatment when performed by a qualified practitioner. It is a non-invasive approach that focuses on structural adjustments to facilitate health in the body. Osteopathy is safe for all ages, athletes, during pregnancy (after the 1st trimester) and elderly individuals. A qualified Manual Osteopathic Practitioner is trained to identify "red flags" and will refer a patient out to a practitioner with the required scope of practice to deal with their case if needed. Also, Practitioner's screen patients through health history and questioning to ensure they are a good candidate for osteopathic treatment prior to staring treatment.

How many treatments will I need?

The number of treatments varies depending on the condition and individual response to treatment. Your Manual Osteopathic Practitioner will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs upon your initial appointment. This timeline is variable depending on the patient's overall health and lifestyle. The goal is to find the root cause of dysfunction, facilitate health in the body and allow your body to be in a more resilient state to continue without frequent ongoing care.

Can Osteopathy be combined with other treatments?

Yes, Osteopathy can complement other medical treatments and therapies. It is often part of a comprehensive approach to healthcare. Patients should continue ongoing care with their physician and participate in routine medical exams. Osteopathy can work in conjunction with other complementary therapies as well; however, the patient should inform the Osteopathic Manual Practitioner of all other types of ongoing care as it may alter the timeline and dosage of the osteopathic treatment plan.

Where is the clinic located?

Twin Bridges clinic is located in the same building as Elevate gym at 130 Pemberton Ave., North Vancouver. There is free street parking available, and the building is across the street from the Spirit Trail if you plan to bike or walk. It is on the second floor which involves ascending one flight of stairs. On the second floor there is a waiting room and washroom; please wait here for your practitioner to come and get you at your appointment time. To be fair to all patients, please plan to arrive 10 MINUTES prior to your scheduled appointment time to allow for parking, and washroom use before the appointment time.

The Den Wellness Collective is located at 1151 W. 8th Ave. in Vancouver, near Granville Island. The entrance is in the alleyway, and this location is wheelchair accessible. There are limited parking spots at the entrance, and street parking on surrounding streets.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept credit card, cash, or e-transfer. Debit is not accepted at this time.

How can I book an appointment?

You can book initial and follow up appointments online or by contacting me via phone or email.

How do I prepare for my treatment?

Here are some items to keep in mind for your first visit:

- Complete all online forms at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.

- Check with insurance company for coverage, if applicable.

- Please be mindful of personal hygiene prior to your appointment as much as possible

- For the treatment to integrate properly, do not schedule any strenuous exercise or manual labour for 24 hours after. If this is not possible, inform the practitioner at the start of the appointment as they may have to adjust their plan and dosage.

- It is advisable to leave at least a few days between your Osteopathic treatment and other manual therapies as it can take a few days for the body to receive the full benefits of the osteopathic treatment.

Billing

Please note that we do not direct bill to insurance at this time. Upon paying in full you will be issued an invoice that you can then send to your insurance provider for reimbursement. Most insurance companies cover osteopathic treatment but please check with your provider if you are unsure. If finances are a barrier to treatment, please contact me at 613-915-8995 or info@lauramillerosteopathy.com discuss sliding scale options so you can get the care you need.