Osteopathy

Victoria Woolridge

Manual Osteopathic Practitioner

Your wellbeing depends on your muscles, bones, ligaments, joints, connective tissue and organs functioning in harmony. All systems of the body are related therefore a change in one area can affect the functioning of another system. Manual Osteopathy helps restore the normal function of the body by treating the causes of pain that may be the result of illness, injury, or stress of daily living.

Manual Osteopathic treatments incorporate several techniques including joint mobilization/manipulations, soft tissue massage, myofascial release and scar tissue management, rehabilitation and postural exercises, combined with self-care advice. Before undertaking any physical examination, your Manual Osteopath will take into account your medical history, lifestyle and personal circumstances, acknowledging that, while your condition may be similar to others, you are unique.

Alex Paluka

Osteopathic Manual Practitioner D.O.M.P., BSc. Kin

Alex has firsthand experience with what it’s like to live with chronic pain. While working as a professor for a Toronto culinary school, he herniated 2 spinal discs and was unable to walk for several months. The recovery process was painful and took over a year for an entire team of health practitioners to help him back to a pain-free state. The journey inspired him to learn the most effective ways to help treat others suffering with chronic pain while reducing common painful setbacks.

Alex graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in kinesiology while working as a personal trainer. He had the opportunity to volunteer in Dr. Stuart McGill’s laboratory, accompanying clinical research for the mechanisms of lower back and hip pain.

Alex graduated from the National Academy of Osteopathy (NAO) with the designation of an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. He’s since taken specialized courses for craniosacral therapy, visceral therapy, myofascial release therapy, and exercise therapy with the Postural Restoration Institute.

He is passionate about helping clients who suffer from minor to severe pain because he knows how challenging it can be. Whether you’ve had chronic pain for years, you’ve been involved in an accident, or something has come out of the blue, let Alex help guide your body back towards a pain-free life.

Matthew Amer-Forster

Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (DOMP)

Matthew is a passionate Osteopathic Manual Practitioner who understands the value of feeling like the practitioner is on your side.

Growing up as an athlete, Matthew has had his fair share of of concussions, motor vehicle accidents, and musculoskeletal injuries. He has experienced how difficult it is to find help that actually brings sustained relief, and he has personally experienced how “one size” does not fit all when it comes to treatment and recovery.

Matthew majored in philosophy, where he learned the physical benefits of living a life of passion and joy. This kickstarted his path to understanding the vitality of the soul and its correlation with physical and emotional duress.

Upon finishing his undergraduate degree and graduating firefighting college with injuries, Matthew was drawn to pursue another passion that gave him his quality of life back – Osteopathy. He attended the world’s largest Osteopathic school, the National Academy of Osteopathy, graduating with distinction. Matthew has trained in a large scope of practice, taking special interest in fascial, cranial, and visceral modalities.

Matthew holds a treatment philosophy that is founded in science but through experience realized the value of intent and being open to views that previously seemed ‘wacky’. Through training in Reiki, Matthew saw for himself the benefits that this modality could bring to his patients, allowing him to offer a broader scope of treatments to help bring his patients the best results by dealing with not only the incident of physical trauma, but also relieving the emotional trauma that manifests physically.

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Manual Osteopathy offers specialized treatments for pediatric patients.

Children can benefit from Manual Osteopathy in managing various conditions, including:

Colic
Ear infections
Digestive issues
Sleep disturbances
Developmental delays
Birth trauma-related issues
Torticollis (neck stiffness)
Growing pains
Postural imbalances
Scoliosis

These are just a few examples of the pediatric issues that Manual Osteopathy can effectively address. By employing gentle techniques tailored to the unique needs of children, Manual Osteopaths can assist in restoring balance and promoting the healthy development of their musculoskeletal and physiological system

Manual Osteopathy can also help treat:

Low back pain or stiffness
General acute or chronic pain
Occupational strains, injuries
Sports injuries
Muscle spasms
Nerve impingement
Generalised aches and pains
Headaches and migraines
Hip, knee pain (including arthritis)

Stiffness associated with wear and tear
Jaw pain, TMJ
Back ache and some pregnancy pains
Elbow, wrist & hand pain
Leg, thigh & groin pain
Ankle & foot pain
Arthritis
Digestion problems
Neck aches, pain, whiplash

In addition to the conditions mentioned previously, Manual Osteopathy can effectively treat cranial and visceral issues. Cranial Osteopathy focuses on the subtle movements and rhythms of the skull and its related tissues, aiming to restore balance and alleviate various conditions. Visceral Osteopathy, on the other hand, addresses dysfunctions and imbalances in the internal organs, promoting optimal organ function and overall health.

In summary, Manual Osteopathy is a comprehensive approach that can help alleviate a wide range of conditions, including those affecting the cranial, visceral, and pediatric realms. By employing various techniques and considering each individual’s specific circumstances, Manual Osteopaths work towards restoring optimal functioning and enhancing overall well-being.