A Day in the Life of a 3rd Year Osteopathy Student

16 May 2019

So what exactly is an Osteopath anyways?

An Osteopath or Osteopathic Manual Practitioner is a type of manual practitioner who focuses on inter-relationships throughout the body and more specifically how structure impacts function. For our bodies to function at an optimal level, it is important for our structure to be healthy and mobile. An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner considers themselves to be a facilitator to health as they believe in the bodies innate ability to auto-regulate and self heal.

The objective of an osteopathic treatment is to find relief from chronic and acute conditions through mobilization of soft tissues, joints, fascia (connective tissue) and viscera (organs). Using a thorough understanding of anatomy and biomechanics, a wide range of assessments and osteopathic techniques, the practitioner will address and treat the root cause of your symptoms with the goal of providing long lasting pain relief.

What is it like to be a 3rd Year Osteopathy student?

As a 3rd year Osteopathy Student at the Canadian College of Osteopathy (CCO), I am surrounded by highly educated teachers and my peers who are Registered Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, Athletic Therapists and Registered Kinesiologists. I am fortunate to be surrounded by professionals who work everyday to help others obtain optimal health and wellbeing and continue to do so by going back to school to become an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. These individuals are focused on improving their skills and knowledge that they have from their previous profession and expanding it to deliver even better care to their patients. The Osteopathy program at the CCO is a 5 year program and graduation is granted once each student completes and defends their thesis. Throughout the 5 year program, students learn anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, embryology as well as hands on practical assessment and treatment techniques and skills.

Stay tuned to follow me through my journey to becoming an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner! Three years down. TWO TO GO!

Author: Karah Klodt B.Sc. RMT (Student of the Canadian College of Osteopathy)