WHY OSTEOPATHY?
Osteopaths treat pretty much everything... because everything can go wrong with your body. With a positive treatment plan we/you can bring your body back into balance to live a life where you are thriving (not just surviving).
Create a deeper relationship with how your body works and lean into growth.
Learn new adaptive techniques for self-assessment and methods for healing.
Utilize strategies to create a life where you feel balanced and whole.
SERVICES
OSTEO... FOR EVERYONE.
Osteopathy is suitable for every age and stage of life, to help you acheive balance and optimal health.
BABIES
Tender little shoots of newness, infants often arrive with issues like birth trauma, trouble latching, gastrointestinal discomfort and more.
KIDS/TEENS
GROWING PAINS ARE REAL, AND AS THESE SAPLINGS MOVE THROUGH CHILDHOOD AND BODY SHIFTS THEY OFTEN EXPERIENCE TIGHT MUSCLES AND SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS.
ADULTS
IN OUR PRIME WE GROW INTO OURSELVES BUT ALSO PUSH OUR BODIES TO THE MAX. HEALTHY BALANCE CAN BE COMPROMISED AND TAXED SYSTEMS AFFECT WELLNESS.
OLDER ADULTS
A WELL-LIVED LIFE IS FRUITFUL, BUT MAY ALSO MEAN AN EXTRA PAIN OR TWO. MATURE BODIES NEED TLC FOR STIFFNESS, SORENESS, and AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES.
HOW IT HELPS
Osteopathy treats all of your ouchies from the top of your head to the tips of your toes.
1. Headaches 2. Sinuses 3. Face + Ear/Nose/Throat 4. Jaw 5. Neck 6. Shoulder 7. Digestive Tract 8. Lower Back/Hip 9. Reproductive 10. Kids & Babies 11. Muscles 12. Nerves 13. Ankles 14. Feet
Let's talk painpoints
and create a customized proactive treatment plan for you to live “ouchie-free".
IT’S OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP!
Sometimes it’s hard to know if we should get help pronto, or if it’s okay to schedule an appointment as time permits…
IT’S BEST TO BOOK RIGHT AWAY IF…
• you’ve had a recent injury
• your are unable to go to work
• the pain is a solid “9”
• you’re at your wit’s end (you kicked the cat this morning and are popping advil like mad wo/man)
SCHEDULE WITH ME ANYTIME IF…
• you know how to stretch it out
• you’re feeling pretty darn functional
• you’re experiencing only mild discomfort
• this is not your first rodeo (aka you’ve had this challenge before and you & I both know the drill)
TIME TO THRIVE
If you’ve tried ALL the wellness things, and yes some (even many, most) have worked, yet you are still looking to explore another level of healing… the time is now.
The time to do the work and feel the heal.
The time to learn how your body works and what it wants from you.
The time to get back to that place of passion in your life, doing the things you love and loving the body you do it with.
You and your body are partners in this thing we call life. I invite you to honour that partnership and watch it flourish with an osteopathic treatment plan that is customized for you.
Plus, of course I’m here to help on your journey to truly thriving.
Frequently asked questions
I get it... Osteopathy is not (yet) a mainstream treatment, but it is a life-changing modality for many people. Here are a few answers to the more technical questions that might help to demystify the whole process.
Q1: What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a profession that makes extensive use of manual assessment and treatment guided by the principles set forth by its founder, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Osteopathy emphasizes the interrelationship between structure and function of the body. Osteopaths are functional anatomists who use manual therapy. They find the health, rather than focus on disease. Osteopathic treatment works to restore proper body mechanics, nerve impulses and the circulation of body fluids.
Osteopathic Manual Therapy is meant to be a part of the patient’s total health system. OstCan strongly advises all patients to work with their family doctor as it pertains to all health concerns.
Q2: What is Manual Therapy?
Members of the Ontario Osteopathic Association are Osteopathic Manual Therapists. Practitioners of Osteopathic Manual Therapy follow the theory that imbalances in the human structure contribute to or are directly related to the development and/or maintenance of disease. Anatomy and physiology is the foundation of Osteopathic treatment. Practitioners recognize that the human body is self-regulating and self-healing – and will strive for health if given a chance. Our role is to encourage this self-healing capacity through manual treatment – to convert the physical into the physiological. We allow nature to do its job of removing any and all obstacles and obstructions that will interfere with the proper nutrition and drainage of the body’s tissue. Understanding and adjusting the anatomical unity of the human structure is our job.
Q3: What is Manual Osteopathy?
Manual Osteopathic Practitioners are educated and trained to work exclusively without the use of drugs or surgery by using manual methods for structural assessment and treatment. This is the predominant method of education worldwide (outside of the USA) and it is what is currently present in Canada. An Osteopathic practitioner in this context is different from an Osteopathic physician.
Q4: What is an Osteopathic Physician?
Osteopathic physicians are educated in schools of Osteopathic Medicine and are licensed and credentialed to an unrestricted scope of medical practice in the USA. This is the only country in the world offering a recognized medical degree in Osteopathic medicine. Most of these practitioners work in medical settings in much the same way as an M.D. does, practicing in almost all medical specialties. Additionally, these practitioners may be eligible for medical licensing in many countries outside the USA.
Q5: What Education is required to Practice?
OSTCAN requires that its member associations uphold a membership requirement that includes a minimum 4 years of osteopathic education. This education must total a minimum of 4200 hours, and include a minimum of 1000 hours in Supervised Clinical Practice & Training meeting the Type 1 standard as outlined by the World Health Organization Benchmarks for training in Osteopathy.
STUFF PEOPLE SAY…
“I have no hesitation in recommending Stephanie Dancer.
Stephanie is a friendly, professional and knowledgeable osteopathic practitioner. She treated a pinched nerve in my left shoulder, there was numbness and I had problems sleeping because of the uncomfortable feeling. After several sessions and exercises taught by Stephanie which I followed diligently, I regained my strength in my shoulder and there is no more numbness or discomfort.
A big thank you to Stephanie for her excellent service.”
“Stephanie Dancer is an exceptionally knowledgeable and talented osteopathic practitioner.
I went to Stephanie while suffering from severe tightness in my chest after months of pneumonia. Two treatments cured my shortness of breath and the chest pain was gone. She identified and treated chronic muscle and joint abnormalities that had developed following numerous injures over the years and now I can do all my activities without any low back, shoulder or neck pain.
For me, it is truly a miracle!”
TREATING THE WHOLE YOU!
WHILE OSTEOPATHIC TREATMENT IS COMPREHENSIVE IT DOES NOT REPLACE OTHER FORMS OF HEALTHY SELFCARE.
As needed I am happy to recommend local trusted and skilled practitioners who can also help you find the balance you seek for body and mind.
SEEK THE ALTERNATIVE
Explore natural treatments and targeted modalities with the smartest and nicest ND in town (IMHO). Dr. Elly brings the solutions that go beyond simply treating the symptoms.
FEEL EMPOWERED
You can trust the peeps at Montebello Physiotherapy to be on your recovery team. With their help you are well on your way to meaningful, healthy and active participation in life.
TALK THINGS OUT
I wish everyone could have a mental health care practitioner like the folks at Niagara Stress & Trauma Clinic. They are priceless and everyone deserves to have someone to lean on and help them through the tough stuff!
TAKE TIME FOR YOU
Sure, massage therapy helps ease tension and release tight spots AND… it freaking rocks. One hour with RMT Youssef will get you back to feeling like a human again lickety-split.
TAKE YOUR LIFE BACK
Believe me… when it comes to pelvic health issues you are not alone! Get back to living with highly effective (drug free) treatments from the sensitive super-heroes at Lifemark.
FAMILY FIRST
Wee ones often need a little extra TLC after their grand entrance into the world, and as they grow. Best for Baby Osteopathy gives your baby and your family the very best start in life. Treatment for infants & Mom too!
