What Is Manual Osteopathic Therapy?
Manual osteopathic therapy is a hands-on approach to assessing and treating the body's musculoskeletal system, including joints, muscles, fascia, and connective tissue. Practitioners use manual techniques to identify restrictions or imbalances throughout the body and work to restore normal movement and function.
It is commonly sought for back and neck pain, joint stiffness, headaches, postural strain, and recovery from injury. Because osteopathic therapy considers how different systems of the body influence one another, it can be helpful when symptoms have multiple contributing factors or have not fully resolved with other care.
At Bolder Health, osteopathic manual therapy is offered alongside physiotherapy and massage therapy, which allows for a collaborative approach when a patient's needs benefit from more than one type of treatment.
Please note: Direct billing is NOT available for osteopathic manual therapy at this time. However, many extended health benefit plans do provide coverage. We will issue a detailed receipt for you to submit directly to your insurance provider. We recommend confirming your individual coverage prior to your appointment.
How Cheyenne Sandeman-McKeel Approaches Osteopathic Care
Cheyenne Sandeman-McKeel holds a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Psychology and Kinesiology from the University of Lethbridge and a certification in Manual Osteopathic Therapy. She is a member of CMMOTA and continues her post-graduate education to stay current with best practices in patient care.
Cheyenne's approach centres on identifying the underlying causes of a patient's symptoms rather than addressing pain in isolation. She brings together her background in kinesiology and psychology to consider the full picture of a patient's health, including movement patterns, lifestyle, and the connection between body and mind.
You can learn more about Cheyenne and the full Bolder Health team on our team page.
What to Expect at Your Osteopathy Appointment
Initial Intake
Treatment
Ongoing Care
What Osteopathic Therapy Can Help You Achieve
Patients who receive osteopathic manual therapy at Bolder Health typically work toward three outcomes:
Reduced pain with an understanding of its cause. Rather than managing symptoms alone, Cheyenne works to identify and address the patterns driving discomfort, so patients gain insight into their own health alongside relief.
Improved mobility and movement quality. Manual techniques that release restriction throughout the body can restore range of motion and make daily activity more comfortable.
Better integration across treatment. For patients working with both a physiotherapist and an osteopathic therapist, a coordinated approach at Bolder Health means your care plan works together rather than in parallel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Osteopathy in Calgary
Both physiotherapy and manual osteopathic therapy address musculoskeletal conditions, but they differ in scope and methodology. Physiotherapy often focuses on specific injuries, movement rehabilitation, and exercise-based recovery. Manual osteopathic therapy takes a whole-body view, using hands-on techniques to assess and treat restrictions across joints, fascia, and connective tissue. At Bolder Health, Cheyenne and our physiotherapy team work within the same clinic and can coordinate care when needed.
Osteopathic manual therapy is commonly used for back and neck pain, headaches, joint stiffness, postural issues, and recovery from sport or work-related injuries. Cheyenne's background in kinesiology and psychology also makes her well-suited to work with patients whose pain has both physical and stress-related components.
This varies depending on your condition and goals. Some patients see meaningful improvement within two to three sessions, while others with longer-standing or more complex presentations benefit from ongoing care. Cheyenne will discuss a realistic plan with you after your initial assessment.
Cheyenne is a certified Manual Osteopathic Therapist and a member of CMMOTA (the Canadian Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association). She holds a BASc from the University of Lethbridge and continues her education following graduation to support the best possible patient outcomes.
Book Your Osteopathy Appointment in SE Calgary
Cheyenne Sandeman-McKeel is accepting new patients at Bolder Health and Performance, located inside Bolder Climbing Elevated at 12686 48 Street SE in Calgary. To book an appointment or learn more about what to expect, visit our booking page or contact us.
