A Quick Guide to Alternative Health Professionals

These days there are so many options when seeking the help of an alternative health provider. Many health professionals work along side each other to provide the best possible care for you. Here is a quick overview of some of the different professionals and their specialties.

Chiropractor.

A Chiropractor specializes in conditions of the spine, nervous system and joints. They’re health practitioners that use the title “Doctor”. They use manual manipulation to “adjust” a bone back to a normal position. A manual manipulation is a force applied in a specific direction. For more information click here.

Physiotherapist

A physiotherapist is a professional that works with their patients to help recover from or prevent injuries, promote health and wellbeing, or help manage chronic conditions. Depending on the education of the specific physiotherapist a treatment might include; exercises, manual therapy, acupuncture, joint mobilizations and self care programs. For more information click here.

Occupational Therapist

An occupational therapist aids people in maintaining, resuming or improving a large variety of tasks. It is often a misconception that an OT only provides help or counseling for work training. OT’s work with their patients to help them move past barriers to their everyday activities. They help their patients learn; new approaches to doing things, how to use equipment, how to change their environment to better suit their abilities, and more. For more information click here.

Registered Massage Therapist

A RMT specializes in the treatment of the soft tissue and joints of the body. Soft tissue includes muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments. We help to improve, prevent or maintain soft tissue/joint issues by use of a variety of “hands on” manipulation techniques. A treatment might also include hydrotherapy, exercise programs and self care programs. For more information click here.

Osteopath

Osteopaths view the body as a whole system. They work to maintain, improve and restore normal function so the body can work at its best. They use methods such as soft tissue therapy, osteomanipulation, joint mobilizations and more. Osteopaths are currently not a regulated health profession in Ontario. Be sure you are happy with the education and philosophies of your practitioner.