Our Services…
Active Balance Healing strives to provide patients with specialized treatment regiments that incorporate several facets of Osteopathy including manual osteopathy, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release techniques, mobile cupping therapy and Gua Sha. By intertwining these techniques we can effectively treat the unique circumstances each patient faces and determine optimal treatment plans moving forward.
Our clients can choose between 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions depending on their unique circumstances and preferences; the only exception is the first visit which is 90 minutes and costs 144$ + HST
Prices per treatment
- 30 min -66 + HST
- 45 min- 88 + HST
- 60 min – 111 + HST
- First visit (90 min) – 144 + HST
Manual Osteopathic Treatment
Manual Osteopathy treatment is a drug-free, non-invasive, hands-on, therapy that aims to improve health across all body systems by manipulating and strengthening the musculoskeletal framework within the body. The primary focus of manual osteopathic treatment is restoring function and eliminating pain by addressing the root cause of the pain, imbalance, injury or illness. Osteopathy is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on their bones, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue (fascia) functioning smoothly together.
Treatment for our patients does not concentrate only on the problem area, but uses manual techniques and specialized tools to balance all body systems, and to provide overall good health and well being. Techniques will focus on physical joint mobilization, stretching and massaging of the bones, joints, ligaments and fascia with the aim of full body restoration and function.
Manual osteopaths are experts at manipulating and palpating the musculoskeletal framework in a manner that promotes full body restoration and self healing. Osteopaths utilize many gentle, hands-on skills such as articular mobilization, cranial osteopathy (CST), muscle energy techniques (MET), myofascial and trigger point release, visceral mobilization, soft-tissue techniques, mobile cupping therapy and Gua Sha to assess, treat and restore balance to all body systems.
Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle hands-on therapy that works directly with the nervous system to affect the circulation and pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along the cranium and the spinal pathway. A Craniosacral therapist is an expert at using gentle palpation to mobilize cranial bones and relieve tension from the meningeal system in the brain and spinal cord to restore balance across all body systems. Tension in the meninges can build up due to trauma, whiplash, Stress and anxiety, TMJ misalignment, bad posture, muscle tension/spasm, birth trauma & defects, joint dislocation, certain conditions and more.
When cranial bones get stuck due to lesions or mechanical restrictions, CSF is not able to drain properly, causing increased intracranial pressure and other symptoms to materialize. When the restrictions and tension are removed from the surrounding tissues around the cranium and spinal cord, an immediate flood of endorphins and oxytocin from the nervous system produces pain relief, a deep state of relaxation and stress relief.
CST is based on the idea that the body is interrelated at all levels. When restrictions and tension in the cranial sphere are alleviated, the body’s natural healing abilities and functions are restored.
Our practitioner, Julia Lott, has an innate ability and intuition when utilizing the CST technique. Many of our clients have effective and tailored treatment regimens that combine CST with other traditional osteopathy techniques.
Myofascial Release Therapy
Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective hands-on osteopathic technique that involves applying sustained pressure into the contracted muscles and connective tissues that are inhibiting the patient.
The focus of myofascial release is to assist relieve tension and strain from the body’s muscles and connective tissue, or “fascia”. Fascia (Latin word for “band”) is a covering found throughout the body including organs, glands, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, brain and spinal cord. Our specialized treatment works to relax, lengthen and realign the patient’s fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones, thereby releasing the restrictions and helping to alleviate pain and restore motion. The goal of myofascial release is to restore proper muscle function and increased pain-free range of motion through trigger point release, tissue massage, adhesion breakdown, from muscle tissue and fascia throughout the entire body.
Therapeutic Moving Cupping Treatment
Moving cupping therapy involves the application of a lubricant to the body part involved to assist the silicone cup attach and glide over the skin. A soft silicone suction cup is applied to the desired area and then moved about the skin in an up-down, side to side and circular motions to stretch the underlying tissues and break apart adhesions through the superficial and deep layers of the fascia. Different sized cups are used as we take into account the contours of your body. Due to the versatile ability of the silicone cups to mould around bones and uneven surfaces, the silicone cups are also great around smaller areas such as the knees, elbows, arms, neck and ankles as well as larger body surfaces.
Moving cupping is used to stimulate collagen and elastin cells formation in areas where the cup has broken down adhesions/scar tissue. Physically moving and stretching the tissues under the cup increases blood flow around the treated area, increases lymphatic drainage of toxins, and promote the natural healing and well-being of the body. Moving cupping therapy is a complimentary component to effective osteopathic treatment and may be offered to our clients to enhance the healing process of the body.
Gua Sha Treatment
Gua sha is an ancient healing practice that is used worldwide to relieve joint and muscle tension in many musculoskeletal disorders. The Gua Sha tools used at Active Balance Healing are made from natural stone and may be used as part of a treatment regimen with some clients. Gua Sha is used to break up fibrous tissue that accumulate from inactivity, trauma, surgeries, repetitive strain injuries and other health conditions. The tool is applied on superficial areas of the body with some pressure and glides back and forth. The persistent friction breaks down the fibrous tissue within the deep and superficial fascia while also disturbing the tiny capillaries just under the skin. This process facilitates tissue regeneration, increased blood flow, lymph drainage and provides immediate muscle tension relief. When used in combination with other hands-on healing modalities, patients experience faster pain relief and a shorter recovery time. Gua Sha treatment causes some local capillary damage which may leave bruising and can be somewhat uncomfortable. Nonetheless, patients often confirm that the immediate muscle and joint relief far outweigh this discomfort.
What is Osteopathy
Osteopathy treatment is a gentle, non-invasive, hands-on, therapy that works to achieve pain-free movement and aims to restore health and balance across all body systems. A manual Osteopath utilizes their knowledge and skills to assess and treat restrictions within the musculoskeletal framework to relieve pain and restore joint movement. Osteopathic philosophy emphasizes that the structure and function of the body are interconnected and recognize that even the smallest, localized deviations within the body are obstacles to the healthy functioning of the body as a whole.
The focus of manual osteopathic treatment is on mobilizing and strengthening the bones, muscles, fascia and joints using very particular hands on techniques and specialized tools that treat specific parts of the human body. Treatment aims to positively affect the body’s nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic systems with the ultimate goal of restoring function and eliminating pain.
Manual osteopaths are experts at manipulating and palpating the musculoskeletal framework in a manner that promotes full body restoration and self healing. Osteopaths utilize many technical, hands-on skills such as articular mobilization, cranial osteopathy (CST), muscle energy techniques (MET), myofascial release, visceral manipulation, soft-tissue techniques, mobile cupping therapy and Gua Sha to assess, treat and restore balance to all body systems.
Some of the benefits of osteopathic treatment include:
- Pain relief
- Increased blood flow & circulation
- Anxiety & stress relief
- Increased energy & mood regulation
- Releasing Dopamine, Oxytocin, Endorphins etc.
- Improved posture & muscle imbalance
- Relieves restrictions in bones, muscles
& joints - Works as a natural anti-inflammatory
- Increased range of motion, muscle strength & flexibility
- Decreased muscle spasms & stiffness
- Increased joint stability
Conditions Treated
Our osteopathy services will strive to provide clients with full body restoration and be a catalyst to a more fulfilling and pain free life. Some of the conditions we treat at Active Balance Healing include:- Arthritis
- Ankle sprains & strains
- Anxiety & stress
- Carpel tunnel syndrome
- Concussions
- Depression & mood disorders
- Frozen shoulder
- Hand, shoulder, & elbow pain
- Hip & knee pain
- IBS Syndrome
- Insomnia, sleep apnea
- Joint pain – limited range of motion
- Low back pain & sciatica
- Neck pain
- Migraines & Headaches
- Muscle spasms & pain
- Postural problems due to pregnancy, sport & driving injuries, work strain etc.
- Plantar Fasciitis- foot pain
- Repetitive strain injuries- tennis & golfer’s elbow
- Thoracic outlet syndrome & neuralgia
- Tinnitus, ear ache & recurring infections
- TMJ- Jaw lock, pain & dysfunction
- Vertigo & balance issue
- Whiplash
Our Practitioner
Julia Lott
BScN, CST, DOMP
Hello, my name is Julia Lott. I am the owner and senior manual osteopath practitioner at Active Balance Healing. I am a mother of 3 wonderful children and my lifestyle is characterized by a healthy diet, daily mindfulness practices, working out, enjoying nature walks, hosting healing sound baths and energy exchange events. I have an extensive spiritual, educational and medical background in many healing modalities that have cultivated my wisdom and intuition when working with the body, mind and soul. I studied nursing from UOIT and originally began my journey as a registered nurse. My passion however has gravitated towards treating and healing patients with a more hands on, drug free, holistic approach.
My spiritual journey began in my teen years and evolved steadily through hardships, personal growth, and life lessons where I tapped into and embraced my gift of being an intuitive energy healer and a compassionate empath. Over the last 10 years, I have completed numerous certifications such as my level 1 and 2 Craniosacral therapy (CST) certification from the Cranial Therapy Center Toronto taught by Robert Harris, Reiki Master certification, Cupping therapy certification, Gua Sha Certification, level 1 and 2 Myofascial Release (MFR) therapy certification and most notably, my graduation from the prestigious National Academy of Osteopathy.
My experience at the National Academy of Osteopathy reinforced my intuitive abilities and, what I perceive to be, my healing gift. In the past, I have always had an ability to connect to subtle and precise intricacies within the body whether it is through nursing, CST, Reiki, or energy healing sessions, however; it was during my osteopathy education when my gift became unmistakably evident. I excelled in identifying and locating restrictions and engaging my hands to gently palpate in the most effective way possible. I learned and perfected ample hands-on healing techniques; was educated in the intricacies of body biomechanics, mastered assessment techniques and specialized testing which enriched my wealth of knowledge and experience to make me the best manual osteopath possible.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you to initiate positive change in your life.
Sincerely,
Julia Lott
Your 1st Visit…
A typical first session lasts 90 minutes and begins with a thorough evaluation of a client’s medical and physical history as well as a visual head to toe assessment of the body. This assessment will ensure we have sufficient information to guide the treatment and be precise. It is important to keep in mind that pain in one region of the body may be caused by a dysfunction in another region completely ‘unrelated’, hence a full examination is pertinent for creating a tailored treatment plan for lasting pain relief.
After the assessment, the practitioner will palpate the area of discomfort/pain and perform specialized neuromuscular tests and various orthopedic examinations to rule out nerve damage, assess muscle strength and zero in on unbalanced areas in the body.
The findings will be shared with the patient, a personalized treatment plan will be discussed and the areas of concern will be treated with the remaining time to relieve discomfort and restore healthy body function.
If muscle tension/weakness is noted, the practitioner will create a regimen of stretches and/or strengthening exercises that will further increase the healing abilities in the problematic areas of the body where pain and dysfunction are present.