The Great Debate: Should an Osteopathy Clinician Prescribe Exercises?
One of the longest-running debates in osteopathy is surprisingly simple: Should our job end when the treatment ends? For many classical osteopaths, the answer is yes. Their philosophy is rooted in a powerful principle: the body has the ability to self-regulate and heal when restrictions are removed. If we restore motion, balance tension, and allow […]
Palpating Asymmetry in the Lumbopelvic Region: What Does the Evidence Really Tell Us?
The reliability of palpation—particularly when assessing asymmetry in the pelvis and lumbar spine—has long been a cornerstone of osteopathic practice. A recent review by Stovall and Kumar, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, critically examined whether clinicians can consistently identify bony landmark asymmetries in the lumbopelvic region. Their findings raise important questions […]
Rethinking Osteopathy’s Roots: A Critical Look at Anatomical Possibilism in Canadian Practice
Introduction In a recent article published in the International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (2024), Hidalgo, MacMillan, and Thomson take aim at a foundational belief in osteopathy: the idea that “everything is connected, so everything matters.” They call this mindset anatomical possibilism (AP), the tendency to construct elaborate clinical explanations from tenuous anatomical connections. While these […]
Palpating Asymmetry in the Lumbopelvic Region: What Does the Evidence Really Tell Us?
The reliability of palpation—particularly when assessing asymmetry in the pelvis and lumbar spine—has long been a cornerstone of osteopathic practice. A recent review by Stovall and Kumar, published in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, critically examined whether clinicians can consistently identify bony landmark asymmetries in the lumbopelvic region. Their findings raise important questions […]
Graston Technique Shows Promise in Managing Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Based on research by Yana et al., published in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, April 2024. Introduction Chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints worldwide, affecting up to 80% of the population at some point in life. It not only limits daily function but also impacts workforce […]
Bridging Past and Present: Reconceptualizing Osteopathic Care for Modern Musculoskeletal Practice
Introduction In a world rapidly advancing in biomedical science, the foundations of osteopathy, rooted deeply in century-old tradition, are experiencing fresh scrutiny and reinterpretation. A recent perspective piece in Applied Sciences (2025) revisits the divide between tradition-dismissive and tradition-reconceptualization approaches in osteopathic care, offering a thoughtful synthesis that aims to revitalize musculoskeletal practice with both […]
Osteopathic Manual Therapy and Menstrual Awareness: A Promising Combination for Managing Primary Dysmenorrhea
Based on the study: “Potential effects of combining osteopathic manual therapy and menstrual awareness on pain and associated symptoms in women with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized clinical trial” (Conesa-Albaladejo et al., 2025, International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine). Introduction Primary dysmenorrhea—the recurring menstrual pain without an underlying medical condition—is one of the most common gynecological complaints, […]
A Modern Osteopathy clinician Reflection on A.T. Still’s Foundational Text
Introduction: Reading Still in 2025 When I revisited A.T. Still’s The Philosophy of Osteopathy, I was struck once again by how deeply it resonates with my clinical work today. As a manual osteopath practicing in Canada today, my daily work is shaped by modern anatomy texts, continuing education, research on fascia and neurology, and a […]
Book Review: Anatomy Trains by Thomas W. Myers
Anatomy Trains by Thomas W. Myers shifts the focus of anatomy from individual muscles to the body-wide fascial connections known as “myofascial meridians.” These continuous lines of connective tissue influence posture, movement, and compensation patterns. The book serves as a “longitudinal anatomy” that complements traditional anatomy, offering manual therapists and movement educators a new lens […]
Book Review: “Embodied Being: The Philosophical Roots of Manual Therapy” by Jeffrey Maitland, PhD
“Embodied Being” is a profound exploration of the theoretical and philosophical foundations of manual therapy. Rather than serving as a how-to manual of techniques, it guides manual therapists and osteopaths in understanding the reasons behind their interventions. Maitland urges a shift from a purely mechanical, symptom-based approach to a holistic paradigm that embraces the whole […]
