Not all Osteopathic Manual Therapists in Alberta have the same training.

Christine is a member of the Alberta Association of Osteopathic Manual Therapists (AAOMT).  To be a member of this association you must have a minimum of 4 years training in Osteopathy with a previous health care designation (Physiotherapist, Massage Therapist, Athletic Therapist, etc.)  There are schools in Canada, and Alberta that offer online training for people with little or no previous health care education.  As Osteopathy in Alberta is not a regulated profession there are no provincial guidelines as to what type of training Osteopathic Manual Therapists need to receive.

Be sure that your Osteopathic Manual Therapist has comprehensive training.

-Adapted from the OsteopathyBC website

Be comfy!

Generally it is best to wear comfortable loose fitting clothing that won’t restrict your movement.  Osteopathic Manual Therapists in Alberta do not complete internal techniques.  All treatments are completed with you fully dressed.   It is helpful to wear shorts if you have a knee/leg injury, but we can always work around the clothing you have on.

At this time we do not work with WCB Claims.

While our clinic does not offer direct billing for MVA claims you can contact us to discuss your situation and learn about how we can support you.

Each persons treatment plan will vary depending on their specific complaints. Generally speaking, if you are seeking out Osteopathic care for the first time for an acute symptom (eg. I did too much gardening on the weekend and my back started hurting) I like to complete the initial assessment and treatment followed by 2 more treatments spaced 2 weeks apart.  Within those 3 appointments spaced over 6 weeks we should be able to get rid of your main concerns.

If your initial visit is due to chronic complaints (eg. I have osteoarthritis and my knees bother me) We should be able to see improvement within 3 appointments, and follow-up care every 4-6 weeks for ongoing maintenance until you reach the level of daily function you are looking for.  Once you reach that level you can book back in for treatments when you are experiencing flare ups and we can support you through that process.

In healthy individuals with a new pain symptom we expect to see significant improvement of the initial complaint over the first 3 visits.  If the pain is not decreasing, we need to reevaluate and see what we are missing.  If osteopathic care hasn’t helped by this time it is unlikely it will help.  At this time I will advise you based on your history of who I think you should follow up with next. This could be getting a referral to a specialist, or going back to your family physician for further testing.  If we are not seeing improvement, I will not recommend more treatment, but will help find the person that will be able to help you.

After your initial assessment your care plan will be discussed with you and tailored to meet your needs.  These appointments need to be realistic to fit into your life, and I am here to support you though this journey.

While Osteopathy is covered under most insurance plans, you will need to check with your individual plan to see if it is a service that is covered for you.  It is typically listed under the paramedical services, or you can contact your insurance representative to inquire.

While our clinic does offer direct billing for Osteopathic Services it is up to the individual insurance company whether they allow us to direct bill.  There is a large list of insurance companies that allow us to direct bill, and this list is growing all the time.  If you would like to know if your insurance company allows direct billing, please contact the Encompass Holistic Health reception to inquire. 403-474-4544.

You do not need a referral from your doctor to see an Osteopathic Manual Therapist. If you have a medical condition you are concerned about it is a good idea to consult with your physician prior to booking an appointment.