Osteopathybc

Osteopathybc OsteopathyBC, is the only society for manual practice osteopathy registered with the BC government. Nonprofit Healthcare association in BC

🤕 Concussions are more than just a bump on the head. They can affect memory, concentration, mood, and daily activities, ...
06/02/2026

🤕 Concussions are more than just a bump on the head. They can affect memory, concentration, mood, and daily activities, especially in children and adolescents. As awareness grows, so does the need for effective treatment options.

📑 Research suggests that Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) may help support recovery by addressing changes in the body's muscles, joints, nerves, and circulation that can occur after a concussion. Because every concussion is different, a personalized approach to care is important.

Studies have shown that patients receiving OMT often report faster symptom improvement and a quicker return to normal activities, including sports and school. As concussion rates continue to rise, exploring evidence-based treatment options can help improve recovery and quality of life for patients and families.

To find a qualified osteopathic practitioner near you, visit osteopathybc.ca
Reference:
J Osteopath Med 2023; 123(8): 395–403

05/27/2026

Today we're answering some commonly asked questions and useful information about osteopathy. OsteopathyBC works with policy makers to make osteopathy an accessible option for care to British Columbians.

❓Do I need a referral to see an osteopathic practitioner?

You don’t need a referral to see an Osteopathic Practitioner unless your insurance plan requires a referral from your primary care physician. It is best to check with your insurance provider.

✅ Did you know that many insurance plans cover osteopathy?

Insurance coverage varies by plan, but many include osteopathic treatment. Check with your provider to see if it's covered under your policy.

❓How do I choose a qualified osteopathic practitioner?

Osteopathy in British Columbia, as elsewhere in Canada, is not yet a regulated profession.
All members of OsteopathyBC meet the WHO’s “Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy” by completing 4 years of full-time osteopathic education.

You can find a list of qualified practitioners in your area on our website www.osteopathybc.ca

05/20/2026

🧠 Osteopathic manual therapy has been shown to be effective at managing the symptom burden of concussions. Case studies demonstrate promising results in terms of symptom reduction, including a reduction in headaches and dizziness 😵‍💫.

Osteopathy offers person-centered care where each treatment is individualized to meet the patient's needs.

✅ When included as part of a multidisciplinary team approach to concussion, osteopathy can help quicken
recovery and improve quality of life.

To find a qualified osteopathic practitioner near you visit osteopathybc.ca

Ref:
J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2016;116(3):178-181
doi:10.7556/jaoa.2016.034

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2016;116(3):e13-e17
doi:10.7556/jaoa.2016.036

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2018;118(6):403-409. Published online April 16, 2018
doi:10.7556/jaoa.2018.061

J Osteopath Med 2021; 121(7): 651–656

J Osteopath Med 2023; 123(8): 395–403

J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2020;120(9):607-614. Published online August 7, 2020.
doi:10.7556/jaoa.2020.099

osteopathy | concussion | concussion management | craniosacral | osteopath | | healthcare

05/13/2026

🤰Osteopathy during pregnancy is a gentle, safe, and effective manual therapy designed to alleviate aches, improve mobility, and prepare the body for labor.

Osteopathic practitioners can address pelvic strain, back pain, and digestive issues, promoting optimal fetal positioning and potentially shortening labor. Treatments typically focus on soft tissue, joints, and pelvic floor, supporting comfort from the first trimester through to postpartum recovery.

To find a qualified osteopathic practitioner in British Columbia, visit osteopathybc.ca

05/06/2026

Osteopathy offers many benefits and can be effective for many conditions.

Some of the more common complaints that patients seek manual osteopathic treatments for include:
- neck and back pain
- headaches
- whiplash
- sports or occupational injuries
- pain during pregnancy
- arthritis
- asthma
- digestive complaints

Many Osteopathic Practitioners have acquired additional training to focus on specific areas of interest including concussions, vestibular or other neurological dysfunction, perinatal care of mom and newborn, or nutritional support.

As a member of the healthcare community, Osteopathic Practitioners collaborate with or refer out to other professionals as required.

To learn more, visit osteopathybc.ca

We are committed to maintaining high standards of practice amongst all our members in order to better serve their indivi...
04/29/2026

We are committed to maintaining high standards of practice amongst all our members in order to better serve their individual practices and businesses. All OsteopathyBC members meet the standards for training set by the World Health Organization.

To find a qualified osteopathic practitioner in British Columbia visit osteopathybc.ca

Former NHL goaltender for the Buffalo Sabers, Nathan Lieuwen shares his story of success with osteopathy. Between the ag...
04/27/2026

Former NHL goaltender for the Buffalo Sabers, Nathan Lieuwen shares his story of success with osteopathy.

Between the ages of 22 and 26, Lieuwen suffered multiple concussions that left him with debilitating symptoms:
• persistent headaches
• brain fog, and
• a lasting impact on his peripheral vision.

Despite his determination to continue playing, post-concussion symptoms made it impossible for him to perform at the elite level required of an NHL goaltender. At 26 years old, he made the difficult decision to retire.

Buffalo Sabres management did everything they could to help Lieuwen. He was evaluated by leading neurologists, surgeons, and optometrists across the United States. Despite extensive testing, no specialist could pinpoint the cause of his symptoms or offer a path forward.
“I tried every treatment they offered,” he says. “Nothing made a difference.”

Returning to his family home in the BC Interior, Lieuwen heard aboutosteopathy as a treatment option. With little left to try, he booked an appointment with a local osteopathic practitioner.

The impact was immediate.

“After one treatment, I knew this was different. Most of all, she gave me hope.”

Over time, his post-concussion symptoms eased. His energy returned. His vision improved. He regained the ability to function fully: at first for a few hours a day, then steadily more.

Today, nearly every issue stemming from the concussions has been resolved.
The few minor ones that remain are manageable with ongoing osteopathic
care.

Seven years after his first osteopathic treatment, Lieuwen is thriving.

Lieuwen hopes his story will encourage others - athletes and non-athletes - to explore osteopathic treatment if they’re experiencing persistent symptoms after a head injury.

“I’ve had incredible changes to my health and well-being because of osteopathy,” he adds. “I hope others will consider seeing a qualified osteopathic practitioner. It might give them the hope and the progress that
they’ve been searching for.”

To learn more about osteopathy and to find a qualified osteopathic practitioner in BC, visit osteopathybc.ca

How do we continue advancing excellence in education, regulation and safety, and improving global recognition of - and p...
04/26/2026

How do we continue advancing excellence in education, regulation and safety, and improving global recognition of - and patient access to - osteopathic care?

Research is critical to achieving our goals!

Over the past two and a half decades, the annual number of osteopathic publications has grown consistently, reaching a significant peak around the COVID period, followed by a slight decline in subsequent years. The stacked bars clearly illustrate the diversity of study designs contributing to this output across the entire period. Data for 2025 covers the first half of the year only.

Source: Cerritelli F. Science Wednesday, COME Collaboration, Nov. 2025.

How do you know you are receiving the best training from your osteopathic training institution?Excellence in osteopathic...
04/25/2026

How do you know you are receiving the best training from your osteopathic training institution?

Excellence in osteopathic healthcare training, accreditation and regulation are underpinned internationally by the World Health Organisation Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy (2010) and the European Standard on Osteopathic Healthcare Provision (2015). Excellence in osteopathic medicine is underpinned by national standards, such as those established by the U.S. Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.

The OIA continues to build strategic partnerships and support the objectives of the WHO via collaborative projects, as well as reaching out to other organisations that align with our vision, mission and goals, including IAMRA WRA, and the Global Self-Care Federation.

The OIA is working towards a new version of the Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy (termed a ‘technical brief’) to include osteopathic medicine. The technical brief will serve to uphold excellence in education, improve governmental awareness, bolster recognition within national and international healthcare systems, and enhance public protection and access to health care from both streams of the osteopathic profession.

What is the World Rehabilitation Alliance and its importance to the OIA?The World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA) is a WHO...
04/24/2026

What is the World Rehabilitation Alliance and its importance to the OIA?

The World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA) is a WHO global network of stakeholders whose mission is to support the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative through advocacy activities.

OIA has been a member of WRA since September of 2025. OIA representatives are active in this network on several platforms: the Steering Committee, the Advocacy and Communications Task Force and various Work Streams that the WRA hosts.

The vision of WRA is a world where rehabilitation is integrated into every health system, ensuring all people achieve optimal functioning and well-being. Global health has traditionally measured death (Mortality) and disease (Morbidity). Following the Strategic Plan 2025-2030, WRA aims to establish Functioning as the third critical indicator of health system performance.

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