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Osteopathy

Osteopathic Manual Practitioners at Dalhousie Health & Wellness

What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic approach to healthcare based on the belief that the body’s structures and functions are deeply interconnected. By addressing the body as a whole, osteopathic care promotes healing and overall well-being. Key principles include:
  • Structure and Function: Every structure in the body supports its functions, and vice versa.
  • Fluid Flow: The body’s fluids (lymph, blood, and nerve signals) must flow freely for optimal health.
  • Whole-body Connection: Physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive systems all work in harmony.
  • Inherent Healing: The body has an innate ability to heal itself when there are no restrictions.
Osteopathic Manual PractitionersOsteopathic Manual Practitioners (OMPs) see each person as an integrated whole. They focus on maintaining and restoring balance within the body, which allows it to function at its best. Through manual assessment and techniques, OMPs aim to:
  • Relieve restrictions and pain
  • Reduce swelling
  • Improve tissue mobility
  • Promote healing and proper function
At Dalhousie Health & Wellness OMP’s use their hands to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, helping people of all ages achieve better health and function.

Online Appointment Booking Now Available!


Meet Our Osteopathic Manual Practitioners​

John N Van-Herbert

Special interests in sports injuries, low back and shoulder pain
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​John is British trained Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, having attained his Masters degree from the European School of Osteopathy in 2013. He was presented with the “Clinical Student of the Year” award at his graduation. Prior to his 4 year full time Osteopathic Undergraduate degree he was qualified as a Sports Therapist. John emigrated to Canada in 2017 with his wife and they have both firmly set their roots in the Niagara region, and are now the proud parents of their young son. John comes from a strong background of Osteopaths and has seen/received the benefits of osteopathic care from a very young age, with his Mom, Aunt and Uncle all being Osteopaths in Europe, each with 30+ years experience.
A keen sports man himself, he represented Great Britain U19s in American Football and competed in Muay Thai Boxing/Kickboxing until his mid 20’s. Since moving to Canada he has fallen in love with hockey, and plays regularly as well as playing Ball Hockey when he cannot get on the ice!!!!
Alongside his general Osteopathic practice he also specializes in sports injuries, sprains, poor posture and rehabilitation, providing care for all ages groups from new borns to the older patient. John is also working alongside the Niagara IceDogs therapist to provide Osteopathic care to the players.

Danielle Stark

Special interests in female care and musculoskeletal health
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​Danielle is an OSTCAN certified Osteopathic Manual Practitioner. She obtained her BSc. Hons Human Kinetics degree from the University of Guelph, and her Masters in Osteopathic Manual Science from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy. 
Osteopathic science has a focus on the innate health of the body, aiming to improve the structural function of the body to allow the deeper cellular function within the soft tissues and organ systems to thrive. Utilizing her past experience in athletic therapy, kinesiology, biomechanics research and geriatric physical therapy, Danielle is well equipped to help her patients get to a place where they are physically able to maintain health.
In addition to her academics, Danielle continues to be involved within the dance community as a choreographer across the GTA, she is also an avid snowboarder, beach enthusiast, and lover of all animals big and small. 
As osteopathy has a large focus on mobilizing tissues to ensure the pathway for all neurology, blood flow, venous return and lymphatic drainage can occur; understanding each patient and their needs are unique, Danielle is sure to always individualize the treatment plan to best aid the patient on the table. 

Special Interests In...

Sports Injuries

Regardless of the area of pain or the onset of the injury we can work through the issues and help your muscles recover faster, increase your flexibility and the range of motion through your joints. See how we can help you raise your game!!!

 Back & Neck Pain

Low back pain and neck pain are probably the most common areas we treat here at the clinic.  The spine is of extreme importance for the well being and functioning of the body. Disc damage, degeneration, nerve irritation, muscle sprains are common injuries to the spine. See how we can help keep you mobile and pain free!!

Posture

No one has perfect posture, but we can all try and aim to have our bodies functioning optimally to help reduce stress or ‘wear and tear’ on our joints. Having proper alignment of our spine, shoulders, hips and so on can all aid in creating a body with minimal imbalances and therefore more equal distribution of forces such as gravity that are constantly placed upon our bodies.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis/Degeneration are just a fancy word for wear and tear, it is closely related to posture, past injuries and sports/occupation. Although no manual practitioner can reverse the changes on the bones, manual practitioners can help improve the range of motion, relax muscles and stretch the soft tissues to prevent the rubbing of ‘bone on bone’. Commonly affected areas include the Knees, the Hips, Low back and the Neck.

Pinched Nerves

Nerve irritation or a ‘Pinched Nerve’ as it is often called, is a common occurrence, with symptoms including Pin and Needles, sharp shooting pain and even muscle weakness. There can be a multitude of factors that can cause compression of the nerve. Removing and treating the source of compression will result in a reduction in symptoms!

Shoulder Pain

The shoulder provides a huge range of motion, allows us to do some many movements, activities and so forth. However, with all the complexity and range of motion it leads the shoulder prone to numerous injuries, commonly our ‘Rotator Cuff muscles’ can become torn, inflamed as well as poor biomechanics (hunched shoulders) and so forth can all result in pain, weakness and limited mobility.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

email

[email protected]
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phone

289.668.5433
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address

581 Ontario Street, St. Catharines, ON, L2N 4N8

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