About Susan
Susan is a former professional dancer who graduated from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet in 1994, and danced as a ballerina in Canada, Scotland and China. Dancers are often experience repetitive strain injuries, and this is where Susan's fascination with wellness and the body began.
During her career as a dancer, Susan experienced several injuries herself including: tendonitis and pain in her ankles, knees, hips, and low-back. One of her most extensive injury was a broken fifth metatarsal due to a leap that launched beautifully, but landed badly. Luckily, with support, the bone healed and Susan was able to return to dancing en pointe.
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This story of injury and pain is commonplace. It can happen during athletic activity, at work and or anytime throughout life. Osteopathy supports healing and building strength and resiliency in the body, so people who have experienced an injury are able to return to the activities they love.
Susan is a member of the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths (NSAO) and the Massage Therapy Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS). She enjoys helping people prevent disease through moving with greater ease.
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Additionally, she is a Stott Pilates Instructor. Pilates enhances core stability and mobility. The mat work and rehab reformer (equipment unique to Pilates work) complements Osteopathy, and injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Supporting people to be proactive in their health through movement is also very important to Susan. Because of this, she volunteers locally with and supports the Musquodoboit Trailways Association and the Gaetz Brook Greenway. Both are much-loved sections of the Trans Canada Trail, and part of the Halifax's Active Transportation system. Susan also lives along the Gaetzbrook Greenway and often encourages local clients to include a walk on the trail when they come for therapy with her.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is Holistic Healthcare
Osteopathy is a form of holistic healthcare that looks at the body as a complex network of many different systems including: bones and joints, ligaments, circulation, muscles and more. This means osteopathy can often identify and then help address a problem in one area of the body is also causing symptoms to present elsewhere.
As an example, ankle and foot pain will cause bio-mechanical compensations that restrict a person's walkability. These compensations will change how a person walks and create unnecessary strain in the knee, hip, or low-back as the body adapts to absorb the force of gravity and impact.
Manual Osteopaths assess and treat your body using a variety of manual and movement therapy techniques to ease restrictions, normalize compensations, and enable a return to optimal function. This includes:
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General Osteopathic Technique
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Compression/Traction
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Muscle Energy
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Cranio - Sacral
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Osteo - Articular
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Strain - Counterstrain​​​
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Benefits of Osteopathic Manual Therapy
Chronic Pain
Manage and decrease chronic pain associated with neurological conditions, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, arthritis and more.
Stress Relief
Decreasing stress while improving relaxation, body awareness, grounding and mindfulness.
Edema/Swelling
Stimulate the lymphatic system to significantly decrease and manage swelling and congestion.
Pre/Post Natal
Decrease and manage low back, pelvic and upper back pain, improve posture, decrease stress, while preparing and recovering from birth.
Pediatric
Support breast-feeding and latch, soothe digestion and help regulate.
Post Surgical
Mobilize scar tissue from injury or surgery of all kinds to help restore range of motion and strength, minimize adhesion formation, decrease nerve compression and improve circulation.
Headache, Migraines and Jaw Pain
Prevent, manage and decrease the intensity of chronic tension headaches, migraines and jaw pain.
Respiratory Conditions
Decrease restrictions in the diaphragm and rib cage, mobilize mucus buildup in lungs and promote deep breathing to eliminate inflammation.
Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Decrease compensatory patterns, postural dysfunctions, and promote full strength and range of motion in affected muscles and joints.
Low Back and Pelvic Pain
Reduce pain, improve mobility, stability, muscle tone and circulation.
Insurance
Susan can direct bill most insurance companies provided clients have a referral from a doctor.