Services
At Soma Osteopathy & Wellness, we take pride in our patient-centered approach to care. Our team of experienced and compassionate osteopathic practitioners and manual therapists are dedicated to providing personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're seeking Osteopathy, Massage Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, or Athletic Therapy, our multidisciplinary approach ensures that we address both your symptoms and the underlying causes of your health concerns. We are committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness in the Comox Valley.
Osteopathy
Restore optimum health and balance
Osteopathy is a holistic healthcare approach that focuses on the interconnectedness of the body's structure and function. As Osteopathic practitioners we believe that the body has an innate ability to heal itself when in proper alignment. We use a hands-on, manual approach to assess, treat, and help prevent a wide range of health issues.
As Osteopathic practitioners we consider the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, muscles, and joints, as well as the nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems, to be integral components of a person's overall health.
We utilise a diverse range of techniques, including mobilisation of specific joints and soft tissues, gentle manipulation of the musculoskeletal, visceral, and cranial systems, along with stretching, massage, and soft tissue methods. Our objective is to enhance joint mobility, alleviate muscular tension, reduce pain, restore balance, and improve overall flexibility to ensure the optimal functioning of your body as a whole.
The principles of osteopathy emphasise the importance of treating not just symptoms but also the underlying causes of health issues, making it a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to wellness.
Cranio Sacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy (CST), originally known as cranial osteopathy, has two avenues of education; through an osteopathy program, or through training on its own. It is a form of manual therapy that focuses on the assessment and treatment of the craniosacral system. This system includes the brain, spinal cord, and the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds and protects these structures.
Our practitioners use light touch and gentle manual techniques to evaluate and influence the craniosacral system's rhythm and mobility. The goal is to detect and facilitate the release of any restrictions, tension, or imbalances within this system, thereby improving the body's self-healing and self-regulatory mechanisms.
All of our osteopathic practitioners are trained in cranial osteopathy, which is an essential component of our comprehensive osteopathic care. Additionally, you may book a cranial sacral session with our craniosacral therapist Catherine, You can find her profile listed among our practitioners for more information and to make an appointment.
Athletic Therapy
Athletic Therapists are renowned for their swift response and on-field emergency care, a vital resource for professional and elite athletes. They are the first to act when injuries occur, demonstrating their mastery in injury assessment and rehabilitation. This distinctive blend of immediate on-site care and active rehabilitation skills equips Athletic Therapists to effectively address musculoskeletal injuries, spanning muscles, bones, and joints, catering to a broad array of individuals, both in athletic arenas and in the clinic.
Athletic Therapists serve a diverse range of patients. Their expertise extends from children recovering from concussions to seniors undergoing hip replacement surgery. Their treatment methods encompass various manual therapy modalities, customised exercise regimens, and the utilisation of bracing and taping techniques. Athletic Therapists are dedicated to facilitating clients' return to their regular activities, whether that involves resuming competitive sports or simply regaining the ability to complete everyday tasks with ease.
RMT Massage Therapy
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are dedicated professionals trained to use the power of touch to promote healing and well-being. They are experts in assessing and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, from chronic pain to injury recovery.
RMTs employ a variety of massage techniques to address your specific needs. Through skillful manipulation of soft tissues, they can reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, and alleviate pain. RMTs are not only focused on physical well-being but also on fostering relaxation and reducing stress.
Foundation Training
Provided by our RMT Heather
Foundation Training is a movement practice designed to restore the body’s natural order and put you at the centre of your health. It teaches your body how to properly support itself and move as nature intended. It was developed by chiropractor Dr Eric Goodman to heal his chronic back pain and avoid surgery for multiple disc herniations. This program is not a temporary fix but rather a systematic solution that gives you the means to change the way you move and correct the imbalances caused by our modern habits.
Through a series of movements, intentional poses and conscious breathing work, Foundation Training activates your posterior muscle chain, anchors the hips, decompresses the spine, and teaches you to take the burden of supporting the body out of your joints and put it where it belongs; in your muscles. When practiced regularly your pain diminishes, your resistance to injury increases and your body come to life. No matter your age or your fitness level, Foundation Training is a movement practice that teaches the body to adapt with muscular support rather than compensate with compressed joints. It can help you correct poor postural habits by decompressing the body to make space for healthier movement patterns.
What to except at a 30 min session.
At an initial Foundation Training (FT) session we will discuss where you are feeling mobility limitations or pain in your body so that we can start with the appropriate movement poses. My experience as a Registered Massage Therapist allows me to bring my understanding of the mechanics of the body and pain referral patterns to help select the appropriate Foundation Training movements to teach you. No fancy equipment is needed and all exercises are done barefoot on a yoga mat wearing stretchy clothes you can comfortably move in. There are a variety of poses that can be done lying down, kneeling or standing but we will start with only a few so you can practice at home before adding more. The principles of FT involve decompression Breathing to expand the ribcage, Anchoring by creating stability in the pelvis and hip joints supporting the spine and Integrating the movements to reinforce a healthy posture and patterns of movement found in activities of daily life. The FT routine can be a short as 5-10 minutes and done anywhere anytime however the key to success is committing to a daily practice for the body to move well, live well.
Learn more at : foundationtraining.com/
Have Questions?
Not a worry, we've set up an FAQ page for just that reason!
And if you are still unsure about something, please email the clinic at contact@soma-osteopathy.com