Osteopathy

Osteopathy in Nanaimo

Osteopathy is a gentle, hands-on treatment that looks at the whole body to find the root cause of your pain.

The goal of Osteopathic treatment is to restore health to an area by removing restrictions in all areas of tissue, addressing the function of muscles, joints, nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics. Osteopathic care has been found to be helpful for people of all ages.

Our Nanaimo Osteopath

Come meet the caring professional behind our Nanaimo Osteopathy services at 3 Cedars Wellness. Our practitioner is dedicated to giving you highly personalized care. We look at your body as a whole to gently find the root cause of your discomfort, not just the symptoms. We’re here to help you feel balanced, find lasting relief, and support your journey toward your best health!

Danielle Bird

Danielle is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (D.O.M.P.) who graduated from the rigorous, 4-year program at the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy in 2020. Inspired by her own long-term healing success with Osteopathy, she has been practicing in Nanaimo since 2021. Danielle enjoys treating all conditions but has a special interest in **women’s health**, using a gentle, balanced approach to deliver unique and effective care.

Nanaimo Osteopathic Care

Our Osteopathic Manual Practitioner treats people of all ages by looking at the body as an integrated whole. We use gentle, hands-on techniques to improve mobility and fluid balance, aiming to find the root cause of your symptoms rather than just treating pain.

When to See an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner

You should consider booking an appointment if you are experiencing:

Chronic Pain in the back, neck, or joints that hasn’t responded to other therapies
Headaches or Migraines
Digestive Issues like chronic bloating, constipation, or discomfort (Visceral Manipulation)
Post-Concussion Symptoms or relief from past head injuries (Cranial Therapy)
Mobility Issues following injury, surgery, or prolonged immobility
Systemic Discomfort related to poor circulation or fluid imbalances
Repetitive Strain Injuries and athletic overuse
Prenatal, Postpartum, and general Women’s Health concerns

Our Osteopathy Treatments

A session with an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner is entirely hands-on and customized, focusing on gentle, specific techniques to treat the whole body.

Key modalities include Osteoarticular Techniques, which use precise movements to restore joint mobility; Myofascial Release to ease tension in the connective tissues; Visceral Manipulation, a very light therapy to improve the mobility and function of internal organs; and Cranial Sacral Therapy, which uses extremely gentle contact to balance the nervous system and fluid dynamics for global health.

These varied techniques are combined to release deep restrictions and restore the body’s natural self-healing capabilities.

"3 Cedars is the most professional and welcoming community of health care providers
whose holistic patient-centred approach to treatment is unmatched."

Google Review

Benefits of Osteopathy

By addressing the relationships between the body’s structure and its function, our Osteopathic Manual Practitioner aims for deep, long-lasting relief.

Osteopathy can help:

Find the Root Cause of Pain
Improve Mobility and Posture
Relieve Chronic Headaches & TMJ Issues
Support Digestive and Systemic Health
Reduce Stress and Improve Sleep
Aid Post-Concussion and Injury Recovery

Book your appointment

Book your Osteopathy appointment now to experience gentle, hands-on relief and find the root cause of your pain by addressing the body as a whole.

Please follow the link to book online with one of our practitioners. If you have questions prior to your service, please contact us at your earliest convenience.

Reduce Pain

Restore Mobility

Improve Digestion

Restore Health

Nanaimo Osteopathy Frequently Asked Questions

What is Osteopathy and how is it different from Chiropractic or Massage?

Osteopathy is a holistic, gentle, hands-on therapy focused on finding the root cause of your symptoms by assessing the entire body. Unlike chiropractic (which focuses mainly on joints and the spine) or massage (which focuses mainly on muscles), Osteopathy looks at how the body's systems—muscles, joints, organs (Viscera), and skull (Cranial Sacral)—are all interconnected and how restrictions in one area can cause pain elsewhere.

Is Osteopathy safe, and is the treatment painful?

Osteopathy is considered very safe. The treatments are known for being exceptionally gentle. Practitioners use low-velocity, non-forceful techniques. Most people find the sessions deeply relaxing, especially techniques like Cranial Sacral and Visceral Manipulation

What qualifications does your practitioner hold?

Our practitioner is an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner (D.O.M.P.). This designation requires extensive, multi-year training focusing on functional anatomy, physiology, and hands-on techniques (Visceral, Cranial, and Articular) to meet the highest professional standards.

Do I need a doctor's referral to book an appointment?

No, you do not need a doctor's referral to see an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner in Nanaimo. However, if you plan to claim the cost through extended health benefits, we recommend checking with your insurance provider, as some may require a referral for reimbursement.

What common conditions does Osteopathy treat?

Osteopathy is effective for a wide range of issues, including chronic back and neck pain, headaches and migraines, TMJ/jaw pain, digestive issues (like bloating or constipation), post-concussion symptoms, and general pain relief from old injuries.

What happens during my first visit?

Your first visit involves a detailed health history and a global assessment. Your practitioner will observe your posture and movement to identify areas of restriction, looking for the root cause of your complaint. Treatment often begins during this initial session and involves gentle, hands-on techniques tailored to your body.

What is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral Manipulation is a gentle, hands-on technique used to assess and treat the internal organs (viscera) and their surrounding connective tissues. Restrictions here can impact blood flow and nerve function, leading to chronic pain or digestive issues elsewhere in the body.