Pain and injury can occur at any time of the year, but winter is a particularly harsh time, especially here in Canada. The extreme drop in temperatures can leave the body feeling more susceptible to existing pain and more exposed to new kinds of physical challenges. For example, when we are cold, our body restricts how much blood it sends to the extremities, like our hands and feet. This can leave the tissues and joints in those areas feeling stiff or uncomfortable. Not to mention, there’s an obvious risk of physical injury that comes with the snow and ice on the ground. 

As an osteopathic manual practitioner working all year round, you’ll probably notice a change in physical difficulties that patients experience in the winter months. Here’s a quick look at some things to watch for when working with patients during this period. 

Expect to See Injuries from Snow and Ice as an Osteopathy Professional

As the snow settles on the ground, the number of injuries due to trips and falls inevitably increases. No matter how well the snow and ice are removed from streets, slippery surfaces are almost unavoidable in the winter. As an osteopathy professional, you’ll likely face clients who have had mishaps from shoveling snow, winter sports, or simply walking outdoors. Elderly people or those with reduced mobility are at even greater risk of injury in these conditions. 

If left untreated, these injuries–even minor ones–can lead to physical difficulties across other areas of the body. It is the job of the osteopathic manual practitioner to support the body’s ability to self-heal in the face of injury while advising clients on how they can avoid winter-related injuries in the future–for example, by wearing footwear with the proper treads.

Flare-ups of Existing Pain

Unfortunately, winter is a time when old injuries and pre-existing conditions can rear their ugly heads. The reduced blood flow and the increase in sedentary living that the cold weather brings can cause an imbalance in the systems and functions of the whole body. When the body is in a more vulnerable state, ongoing pain or previous injuries can become more pronounced. As an osteopathic manual practitioner, your goal will be to return the body to a state of health so it can self-regulate and manage those difficulties. 

With training from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of osteopathic principles, which focus on locating and treating the underlying cause of the discomfort, as opposed to the obvious symptoms of pain. This classical training grants students an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology so that they can treat the layers of bodily structure on a personalized, individual level.

The Effects of Reduced Physical Activity in the Winter,

During your osteopathy specialization, you’ll notice that many clients complain of greater stiffness or more physical aches during the winter months. Often, stiffness can be attributed to changes in physical activity that the winter brings. With the cold weather, people tend to spend less time outdoors and more time cooped up inside. 

Along with the manual therapy you perform as an osteopathic manual practitioner, you can advise patients to exercise regularly to build up their muscle strength and reduce pressure on the joints. Stretching and moving daily will help to loosen up stiff joints during the winter. With training at CAO, you’ll be ready to offer safe, effective, and ethical treatments to clients to support the well-being of their whole body. 

Are you interested in working toward your osteopathy career advancement? 

Get started with the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today!

The post Helping Clients in the Winter: What to Expect as an Osteopathy Professional appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy offers a comprehensive four-year program that equips you to deliver safe, effective, and targeted treatments to patients. To do so, we’ve designed a curriculum that goes deeper than the practical techniques of osteopathy. Instead, we take a principles-based approach; students gain a true understanding of osteopathic principles and theory, with the clinical competency to apply those principles in their careers. 

You’ll gain expertise in a variety of areas, such as osteopathic anatomy and physiology, osteopathic history and theory, principles in practice, and more. With over 4400 hours of clinical and classroom training, we teach it all at CAO. Keep reading to learn what to expect from the curriculum at our osteopathy college!

Build a Foundation in Osteopathic Principles 

Osteopathy is its own branch of healthcare with a long history behind it. At CAO, we respect this tradition by teaching osteopathy as a profession in and of itself rather than as an ‘add-on’ to other modalities. That involves teaching students the founding principles of the practice. These principles govern the ‘who, what, where, when, and why’ behind osteopathic assessment and treatment. 

First and foremost, osteopathy acts as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medicine. Rather than using medicines to cure the symptoms of the body, osteopathy focuses on aligning the layers of the structure of the body through non-invasive manual therapy. This is based on a belief in the body’s ability to self-heal and self-regulate, which is why an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner does not see themselves as a healer but instead as a facilitator of health. 

At CAO, you’ll learn how to break down your findings into these natural principles–so you won’t have to memorize techniques from a book to know when to use them.

Examine Anatomy & Physiology Through an Osteopathic Lens

A good working knowledge of health sciences is an important part of osteopathy. But at CAO, we move away from the traditional allopathic model and toward a fully integrated osteopathic model that examines the body as a whole dynamic body of function. This model emphasizes the relationship between the many structures and systems of the human body. 

Throughout your training at osteopathy college, you’ll focus on facilitating the health of joints and muscles with the goal of returning the body to a state of normal health. With an in-depth understanding of osteopathic anatomy and osteopathic physiology, you’ll be ready to treat the layers of the body on a personalized, individual level. 

Develop a Mind for Osteopathic Thinking at Our Osteopathy College

As explained above, osteopathy is a completely new way of thinking about the body and approaching physical problems. Delivering effective treatments to clients requires you to adopt the right mindset when problem-solving and working with physical challenges. 

Rather than looking for symptoms and finding ways to alleviate them, osteopathy seeks the underlying cause of the problem. It requires you to think beyond the obvious signs of pain and examine how the whole body may be affected. If the self-healing and self-regulating mechanisms of the body are being obstructed, it is your job to remove that obstruction using manual therapy. Rather than searching for illness, osteopathy requires you to think about how you can revitalize areas where health is affected. 

At CAO, you’ll develop a mind for this approach during our classroom labs and put that mentality to practice in our clinical lessons. 

Are you ready to prepare for your osteopathy specialization? 

Contact the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today!

The post Going Beyond Technique: 3 Things You’ll Learn at Our Osteopathy College appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

As a patient-centred profession, osteopathic manual practitioners need to develop a number of professional skills that can help them deliver safe, effective, and ethical treatments. Along with the practical techniques of the profession, you’ll need to know how to approach patients with care and understanding while arriving at the best possible solution for the individual. Interpersonal skills and critical thinking are essential qualities to build during your training. 

While working on challenging osteopathic problems and gaining real clinical experience, students at CAO learn firsthand the importance of applying these professional skills to their practice. Here’s a look at some of the top skills you’ll need to use during and after your osteopathy training. 

1. Good Communication Skills Are Important

When working with patients of any kind, good interpersonal and communication skills are essential. When it comes to osteopathy, your patients will be looking for you to assist them with a number of physical problems. Treating those clients with respect, empathy, and your full attention will reassure them that they’re in safe hands. At the same time, a big part of communication is listening to your client carefully. Let them explain what they are experiencing and their health history. In turn, you can customize a treatment just for them. By building a positive rapport with patients from the get-go, you can maintain good professional relationships with clients throughout your career.

2. Exercise Your Problem-Solving Skills

In an osteopathy specialization, you’ll be working with clients experiencing a variety of different challenges, from postural problems to sports injuries to long-term pain to sleeping difficulty. Every patient is different, and their symptoms will present in different ways. As an osteopathic manual practitioner, you’ll need to apply your knowledge of osteopathic principles and surgical level functional anatomy to pinpoint the osteopathic lesion. Often, a patient may be experiencing pain in one area of the body while the source of the pain is located somewhere else. In that case, good problem-solving skills will help you to consider all possibilities and arrive at the right course of action for your patient.

3. Pay Attention to Detail as an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

Strong attention to detail will help you look beyond where symptoms may be expressing themselvews and consider the whole body. At CAO, we focus on teaching principles-based osteopathy in which students get an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology so they can treat the layers of bodily structure on a personalized level. Our students learn to closely examine all the interrelated symptoms and functions of the body–including the bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, systems, viscera and fascia. By developing this kind of attention to detail, our students are able to look beyond the surface of pain and find ways to return the body to normal health so it can self-heal and self-regulate.

4. Practice Adaptability When Working With Patients

A good osteopathic manual practitioner doesn’t see themselves as a healer but as a facilitator of health. You’ll be working with the body to restore its natural balance and functions rather than imposing treatments upon it. Working with the body in this way requires a certain level of flexibility. You’ll need to adapt your practice to the physical condition, medical history, and personal preferences of the patient. Often, you may have a solution in mind that does not work with a specific patient’s body. In that case, keeping an open mind when trying a new course of action will help you better accommodate the needs of the individual. 

Are you interested in training as an osteopathy professional?

Start your career with the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today!

The post 4 Professional Skills You’ll Use as an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

Have you made the decision to attend osteopathy school? Are you thinking ahead to your first year in training? Students at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy will find a dynamic and challenging program that prepares them to step into rewarding careers as osteopathic manual practitioners. Over the course of four years, our students develop their knowledge through a combination of principles-based theoretical learning and hands-on clinical training. But perhaps you’re wondering how you can prepare to make the transition to your studies. From organizing your schedule to reading up on the first-year curriculum, here are a few ways you can prepare to jump right into your training.

Review Your Knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology 

Here at CAO, we place a unique emphasis on the principles and theory of osteopathy. The program is rooted in an understanding of osteopathic thinking and assessment, in which the body is examined as a whole dynamic unit of function. This kind of training gives students an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, so they can treat the layers of bodily structure on a personalized level. That means a solid foundation in anatomy is needed to succeed in the program. 

However, many students come to CAO with limited experience in healthcare. In that case, our Prep course is here to help you learn or review essential anatomy and physiology content before beginning Year 1 of the program. As you prepare to begin osteopathy college, consider your current level of experience and whether you need to enrol in our Prep course.

Create a Schedule for Your Studies

Starting school brings new commitments to juggle. Incorporating your studies into your daily routine requires some planning, especially when you have a family or job to attend to. As you prepare to start your osteopathy training, think about creating a schedule for your studies and setting aside time to review in-class material. With a plan in place and some good time management, you’ll be better positioned to keep up with the demands of the program. 

At CAO, we aim to assist students by offering a simple, flexible schedule format. Students attend in person once a month for intensive hands-on training, and online lecture days are condensed together for easy scheduling. The school makes special accommodations for those coming in from out of province, allowing students to combine clinical shifts to limit transportation costs and time.

Establish a Support System for Osteopathy College

Training for an osteopathy specialization is demanding work. In particular, our program covers a comprehensive four-year curriculum that is designed to challenge students on their way to becoming highly experienced osteopathic manual practitioners. For incoming students, having a solid support system in place is the best way to make the most of this experience. 

Along with your family and friends, your fellow students at CAO can become a great resource to motivate and encourage you throughout your training. Think about ways you’ll take advantage of our community-centred school environment with athletics, annual events, and more. By knowing what to expect from your osteopathy program and what’s on offer at your school, you can set off on the right path to a successful career.

Are you ready to start your training at an osteopathy academy?

Contact the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today.

The post 3 Tips for Preparing to Attend Osteopathy College appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy offers engaging, high-quality training for students at every stage of the four-year program–whether they’re just getting to grips with osteopathic principles or taking the lead in patient treatments. Students in the upper years of our osteopathy program will find a particularly useful learning experience in our Apprenticeship semester. 

During this time, upper-year students act as teaching assistants in our under-year clinic and the classroom lab. This is their chance to monitor other students and gain a practical understanding of the osteopathy clinical practice as a whole. Continue reading to learn more about the value of completing an Apprenticeship semester at CAO.

Learn by Teaching 

One of the biggest advantages of the Apprenticeship semester is the chance to learn by seeing the material reviewed again and monitoring other students in the under-year clinic at our osteopathy college. You’ll be overseeing students as they learn the information for the first time in the classroom, refine their information in the clinical semester, practice interview and intake procedures, learn to report patient history, assess and treat their peers, and understand how to catch red flags or symptoms of the body. 

Assisting these students is an additional opportunity for you to increase your exposure to different osteopathic scenarios. Every patient and circumstance is different, and the more exposure you get, the better equipped you’ll be in your own practice. At the same time, you can see how your fellow students approach each case and apply different osteopathic techniques.

Solidify Your Knowledge of the Program Material

Working as an osteopathic manual practitioner requires you to bring together all your knowledge of functional anatomy, physiology, osteopathic principles, and techniques. While there’s a lot to learn, CAO is here to support you in reviewing and applying this essential knowledge at every stage of the program. 

The Apprenticeship semester is a great opportunity for upper-year students to go over some of the foundational material that’s covered in the lower years. While monitoring other students, you have the chance to fill in any gaps in your comprehension of the program material. At the same time, you’ll see how the osteopathic principles, history, and theories you learned come together in a clinical setting.

Improve Your Confidence in a Clinical Setting 

As a hands-on profession, an osteopathic manual practitioner will need to feel confident taking the lead on patient treatments. During the Apprenticeship semester, you’ll familiarize yourself with work in a clinical setting, guiding other students in their practice. During this time, you’ll hone in on observing and evaluating patients, deliver real results to patients, and foster relationships. By practicing with your fellow students in the classroom lab and clinic, you have the chance to make mistakes, learn from new experiences, and improve your confidence in a real clinical environment. Upon graduating, our students are ready to practice safe, effective, and informed osteopathy. 

Are you ready to start training in an osteopathy specialization?

Get started with the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today!

The post 3 Benefits of the Apprenticeship Semester at Our Osteopathy College appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

Many students come to the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy to transform their career path to a hands-on and dynamic profession. That includes those who already have a background in health–either those working as healthcare professionals or graduates of a Health Sciences degree. 

Having a strong understanding of clinical anatomy and physiology is a big part of working as an osteopathic manual practitioner, and with a background in health, you’re on the right track. 

As a student at CAO, you’ll cover the principles and practices of osteopathy, osteopathic history and theory, and health sciences. While we ensure every student is up-to-date with a foundational knowledge of the body, those with a background in health may find the program particularly rewarding. Find out more below!

Begin Training for Your Career Directly

One of the benefits open to incoming students with a background in health is an accelerated pathway to our training program. If you have a degree in Health Science or are currently a health professional, you could be eligible to bypass our Induction Prep and go directly into Year 1 of the program. The Prep course is designed for those who need to learn essential anatomy and physiology content before beginning the program. Those with a background in health will likely already have that knowledge under their belt. 

This includes those with a degree in kinesiology, bio-med, pre-med, life science, or human kinetics. Similarly, if you’ve worked as a massage therapist, physiotherapist, chiropractor, paramedic, physician, or nurse, you could benefit from this accelerated entry into our osteopathy program. 

Explore Anatomy from an Osteopathic Lens

Training for an osteopathy specialization requires you to reexamine your understanding of the body, its function, and its natural state. For those with a background in health, this is an opportunity for you to apply and adapt your knowledge of anatomy and physiology, turning to look at the body through an osteopathic lens. 

What do we mean by an osteopathic lens? It means to see the body as a dynamic unit of function! Osteopathy is based on a belief in the body’s ability to self-health and self-regulate. Osteopathic manual practitioners are there to strengthen the body’s framework, balance the body’s systems, and facilitate its return to normal health following stress or injury. 

Those with a background in health will have a chance to use their knowledge of the systems, joints, and muscles of the body while transforming their expertise by applying osteopathic principles. 

Discover a Holistic Approach to Health With an Osteopathy Specialization 

As explained above, the curriculum at CAO comprehensively covers clinical anatomy and physiology while moving toward a fully integrated osteopathic model that examines the body as a whole dynamic body of function. In this sense, osteopathy takes a holistic approach to health, looking beyond the problem area and seeking the root cause. This can be a highly rewarding practice for those with an interest in identifying signs and symptoms of the body and improving the lives of others.  

As you work towards your osteopathy career advancement, you can apply your interest in problem-solving with the body or your experience working with clients in a healthcare setting. Through your osteopathy training, you’ll dive deeper into these areas and learn how to treat the layers of bodily structure on a more personalized, individual level.

Are you interested in training at our osteopathy school?

Contact the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy to get started.

The post Have a Background in Health? Why Our Osteopathy School Is Right for You appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

If you’re embarking on a career as an osteopathic manual practitioner, you have an exciting and rewarding path ahead. But it all starts with choosing the right school for your needs and goals. 

In Canada, there’s good demand for osteopathy professionals across the country, and getting the right training will position you at the forefront of that demand. 

Depending on your experience and circumstances, you might be wondering what to look for in an osteopathy school. Perhaps you’re a working professional looking to upskill with a flexible program. Or perhaps you’re looking for a course in line with international standards. 

Choosing the right osteopathy school is no easy decision, so here’s a look at some key things to consider as you prepare for your osteopathic education!

Does the Curriculum Meet Professional Standards?

Since osteopathy schools are not regulated by the government in Canada, it’s important to do your own research to ensure you’re choosing a school that offers a reputable and qualified program. 

At the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, we are proud to offer a curriculum that aims to meet and exceed international standards. Our program is recognized and monitored by OSTCAN and Osteopathy Canada.

Specifically, all graduates of our osteopathy college are eligible to become a member of OSTCAN, an association open to practitioners with a world-class education in osteopathy. Members must have a minimum of 4200 hours of osteopathic education, including supervised clinical training, which is what you’ll get during your time at CAO. 

While learning from a team of professionals who are actively working as osteopathic manual practitioners, you can be confident you’re getting the training and qualifications you need to start a reputable career. 

What Kind of Support Will You Get During Your Training?

The path to an osteopathy specialization can be challenging, and it’s important that you feel comfortable and supported along the way. Given the work and commitment it requires, you’ll want a school that facilitates the training process and accommodates the needs of different students where possible. Think about your current professional and personal commitments and whether the school offers a learning environment that is convenient for you. 

At CAO, we offer a flexible, full-time program that allows you to continue to work while in the program. The combination of in-person and online lectures also allows flexibility for those commuting from out of the province. 

We understand that adjusting to a full course load can be a challenge, which is why we have plenty of support systems available for students at CAO’s community-centred campus, including access to a Student Success Coordinator, opportunities to form connections with classmates and small classes taught by passionate faculty.

Does the Osteopathy College Offer Real-World Experience? 

A good osteopathy school should ultimately prepare you for a professional career as an osteopathic manual practitioner. You’ll want to graduate with the confidence to deliver safe and effective osteopathic treatment to patients. The best way to achieve that is through a program that offers real-world experience for you to put your knowledge to the test.

Students at CAO are required to complete supervised clinical training and practice prior to graduation. This takes place in our dedicated clinical environments that are insured and supervised by professional osteopathic manual practitioners. Real-life patients come to the clinic for assessments and ongoing care, at which point you’ll practice intake procedures, take the lead on treatments, learn how to catch signs or symptoms of the body, and more. With hands-on experience under your belt, you’ll graduate as a more qualified and confident practitioner.

Want to learn more about training as an osteopathic manual practitioner?

Contact the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today!

The post Interested in Osteopathy College? How to Choose the Right School for Your Training appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

At the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, students not only gain osteopathic skills and techniques–they come to understand the founding principles and theory that those techniques rely on. This unique approach is what distinguishes training at CAO.

By focusing on the theory and application of these principles, students gain a comprehensive understanding of osteopathy and are better able to assess and treat their patients. As a graduate of CAO, you’ll feel confident in your knowledge of the practice of osteopathy as a whole. Read on to learn more about what a principles-based education has to offer.

Develop a Deeper Understanding of Osteopathic Theory and Principles 

Some osteopathy taught around the world focuses on a series of memorized techniques for different parts of the body. However, this kind of approach lacks the founding principles and theory that manual osteopathy relies on. CAO is proud to stand as Canada’s Premiere principles-based osteopathy school, offering a curriculum that aims to meet or exceed the international standards for osteopathy education. 

Our students are given a solid understanding of a variety of areas, such as clinical anatomy and physiology, osteopathic theory, principles in practice and much more. They not only learn the appropriate techniques to use but also examine the osteopathic history and debate the applications of these theories in practice. In preparing for an osteopathy specialization, students come to examine everything about the body–its anatomy and functions–through an osteopathic lens. 

Problem Solve Using Osteopathic Reason as an Osteopathy Professional

Osteopathy is a manual form of therapy that emphasizes the relationship between the structure and function of the human body. The practice is grounded in a belief in the body’s ability to self-heal and self-regulate; osteopathic manual practitioners work as facilitators of health. 

Above all, this practice requires you to work with complex layers of bodily structure. Osteopathic manual practitioners must take into account all the systems and mechanisms of the body to understand how one affects the other. The principles-based training at the CAO provides this essential knowledge of anatomy and physiology, allowing you to problem-solve issues on an individual level. 

Build Your Confidence as an Osteopathy Professional

As with any healthcare profession, it’s important to understand more than just the application of techniques; you need to understand the why and how of the practice. With a true understanding of osteopathic principles, students find themselves able to see the body through an osteopathic lens and think osteopathically. You’ll have the chance to put these principles and theories to practice in CAO’s Osteopathic Principles & Practice Lab, led by our experienced faculty. As you work towards your osteopathy career advancement, this kind of confidence in your own knowledge base is essential to helping you deliver safe, effective and individualized treatment. 

Are you interested in training as an osteopathy professional?

Contact the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy to get started.

The post Why Choose a Principles-Based Education for Your Osteopathy Specialization? appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy is here to set students on a path to success as osteopathic manual practitioners. Our students come from backgrounds as personal trainers, yoga instructors, holders of a Health Science degree or no healthcare background at all. Once enrolled at CAO, they’ll dive into the principles, practices, history and theory of osteopathy. 

Regardless of their experience in healthcare, our students find the support and resources they need to develop specialized knowledge in the field of osteopathy. Read on to learn how CAO prepares students of all backgrounds for a new profession.

Those With a Degree in Health Science

Have you graduated from a University or College program in Health Sciences? Many of our students come from programs in Human Kinetics, Biological Medicine, Pre-Med or Life Sciences. These are students who have chosen to take their prior knowledge of anatomy and develop a new understanding of the body and dysfunction through an osteopathic lens. 

Before you begin at our osteopathy academy, students with a degree in Health Science can use their pre-existing knowledge of anatomy and physiology to bypass our Preparation Course. This allows them to proceed directly into Year 1 of the osteopathy program. 

Similarly, many students come from practicing careers in the healthcare field, including chiropractors, physiotherapists, nurses and paramedics. Those students will also be eligible to bypass the Preparation Course and get started on their path to a new career. 

Those With Limited or No Healthcare Experience

If you’re considering osteopathy school as someone with no background in healthcare, not to worry! At CAO, we welcome students with little to no healthcare experience at all and equip them with a comprehensive understanding of a highly specialized field. 

This includes students who have a limited understanding of anatomy and physiology through work as personal trainers, pilates instructors, nutritionists and more. It may also include those who have graduated from a program in fitness or health, such as physiotherapy assistant or occupational therapy assistant. 

In these cases, our Prep Course will help you learn and review essential anatomy and physiology content, allowing you to apply to Year 1 of the program. Whatever your level of understanding, CAO has a pathway that will allow you to safely and effectively progress to a rewarding career in the field of osteopathy. 

What to Expect at Our Osteopathy Academy

At CAO, we believe that osteopathy must be taught as a profession in and of itself, rather than as an ‘add-on’ to other modalities. That’s why, regardless of your experience, we focus on equipping all students with a true understanding of clinical anatomy and physiology, osteopathic principles in practice, osteopathic history and theory and much more. 

With expert instruction from professionals actively working as Osteopathic Manual Practitioners, our students have the support and resources they need to develop a clear understanding of osteopathy treatments. At the same time, our clinical experience gives students the chance to treat real-life patients in CAO’s free public clinic. With the right combination of theory and practice, students of all backgrounds will be ready to practice safe, effective and ethical osteopathy in their careers.

Are you interested in working towards an osteopathy specialization?

Contact the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy to get started!

The post How Training at Our Osteopathy School Caters to Students Coming from a Variety of Backgrounds appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.

Osteopathy is a practice that examines the structure and function of the human body to facilitate the healing of any problems. As a complementary therapy, osteopathy helps to strengthen the framework of the body so it can reach its optimal physical function. This is particularly important in summer, when more and more people are getting back into the swing of physical activity. 

As an osteopathic manual practitioner during this time of year, you’ll likely have patients come to you dealing with athletic injuries, gardening injuries, soreness or other difficulties. After the long hiatus of winter, you’ll work to help those people adjust to the changing seasons and ease their bodies back into their routine. Here’s a closer look at what to expect as an osteopathic manual practitioner this season.

Coping With Long-Term Discomfort

After winter, more people are looking to enjoy the outdoors and get moving in the summer. Unfortunately, this is also a time when an increase in physical activity can bring to light some underlying issues in the body. You may find a patient experiencing ongoing discomfort from a debilitating condition. Other patients may be grappling with long-term chronic pain or discomfort. In each case, you’ll work to identify and treat the underlying cause of the pain, coaxing the body back to full health. 

As a professional working in an osteopathy specialization, you’ll provide gentle, safe and non-invasive therapy that is well-suited to managing long-term discomfort in patients. By strengthening the body’s framework, you can help to reduce pain, increase mobility and improve the quality of life for your patients as they make the most of the summer season. 

Recovering from Injury 

As you advance in your osteopathy career, you’ll find that many patients seek treatment for new or recurring sports injuries. This is a particularly common occurrence during the summer when training seasons begin and more people push themselves towards their fitness goals. Many sports, such as running, can place unprecedented strain on the body’s muscles and joints–especially when the right care isn’t taken to form and recovery periods. 

As an osteopathic manual practitioner, you’ll apply manual techniques using osteopathic reasoning and principles to provide cohesive osteopathic treatments that support the body’s ability to self-heal and self-regulate. With a strong understanding of clinical anatomy and physiology, you’ll examine the body as a whole dynamic body of functions. This kind of approach will allow you to assist patients suffering from minor pain or run-on injuries and help them to reach their peak performance. 

How Your Training at Our Osteopathy Academy Can Help

The training offered at The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy grants students an in-depth understanding of anatomy and physiology, so they can treat the layers of bodily structure on a personalized, individual level. Beyond developing a strong foundation in osteopathic principles and theory, our students gain firsthand experience treating real-life patients in our free public clinic. 

As you work towards your osteopathy career advancement, the exposure to different patients experiencing a range of physical challenges will give you the confidence to treat a variety of issues throughout your career. From sports injuries to latent pain, you’ll be ready to support the recovery and mobility of your patients this season. 

Are you interested in starting your career with training at an osteopathy academy? 

Contact The Canadian Academy of Osteopathy today! 

The post Helping Patients in the Summer: What to Expect in Your Osteopathy Specialization appeared first on Canadian Academy of Osteopathy.