Osteopathy in Oshawa for pain that keeps coming back.

It isn't covered by OHIP, but many extended health benefit plans include osteopathic manual therapy. Coverage varies by provider and policy, so we encourage you to check with your insurance company before your appointment and confirm three things: whether osteopathic manual therapy is covered under your plan, whether services from an osteopathic manual practitioner are eligible for reimbursement, and whether they need any specific documents for your claim.

Bowen is a member of the Ontario Association of Osteopathic Practitioners (OAOP), and you'll receive an official receipt to submit. If you have questions about receipts or the claim process, just ask.

Not at this time. Payment is due at the time of your appointment, and you'll receive an official receipt to submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement. If you're unsure what your insurer needs, ask us and we'll help you get the paperwork right.

Yes. Bowen speaks both English and Chinese, and appointments can be conducted in either. Being able to describe your symptoms precisely genuinely affects the quality of your assessment, so use whichever language feels more natural to you.

At Bow's Flow, an initial assessment and treatment is $140 for 60 minutes. Follow-up treatments are $120 for 60 minutes or $85 for 45 minutes. If you don't have extended health coverage, 10% comes off your treatment sessions. Just mention it when you book.

In Ontario, the titles "osteopath," "DO" and "doctor of osteopathy" are reserved for physicians who graduated from American osteopathic medical schools and are regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Osteopathic Manual Practitioners like Bowen provide hands-on, non-medical osteopathic assessment and treatment. Osteopathic manual practice is not yet a regulated health profession in Ontario, which is why it's worth asking any practitioner about their training. Bowen is always happy to walk you through hers.

Massage therapy focuses primarily on soft tissue. Chiropractic focuses largely on spinal adjustment. Osteopathic manual care looks at how the whole body is working together, including joints, muscles, fascia and the systems around them, and treats wherever the assessment points, which is often somewhere other than the painful spot. Many patients use it alongside massage or chiropractic rather than instead of it.

Most of the work is gentle. Some techniques, such as trigger point release or cupping, can feel intense while they're happening, and you may be a little tender for a day afterwards, much like after a workout. Bowen adjusts pressure to what you're comfortable with, so tell her at any point if something is too much.

It depends entirely on what's going on and how long it's been going on. Recent, straightforward complaints often settle in two to four visits. Long-standing patterns take longer. After your first assessment Bowen will give you a realistic estimate. If osteopathy isn't the right fit for your problem, she'll say so and point you somewhere better.

No. You can book directly online. Some insurance plans do require a physician's referral before they'll reimburse, so it's worth confirming with your insurer if you plan to claim.

Loose, comfortable clothing you can move in. Athletic shorts and a t-shirt are ideal. Bowen needs to see how you move and reach the areas being treated, and you'll stay comfortably covered throughout.

Bow's Flow is at 285 Taunton Road East in Oshawa, inside Sola Salon Studios in Studio 9, with free parking on site. It's an easy drive from north Oshawa, Whitby, Courtice, Ajax and Bowmanville.