Andrew Chan, Manual Osteopath DOMP CDTT RHN BSc
385 Silver Star Blvd, Unit 212 Second Floor of Maxum Medical Building M1V 0E3 Toronto, ON, Canada

In my previous post, I briefly mentioned this wonderful chemical in our body that increases our social interaction, lessen sensitivity to pain, decreases anxiet...y and gives off a calming effect[1] during/after Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMTh). Does that mean only manual therapy releases Oxytocin and if I said yes, would you believe me? Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical messengers) and a hormone. Oxytocin can be release by Touch and Trust. Yes, I know what you are thinking right now, what trust has to do with anything. You see, Trust is part of our perception; it is how we perceive things. For example, if a tiger were approximately three steps in front of you, how would you feel? Some of you may feel frighten because of unknown situation that will cause harm. When that happens, your body will be in defensive mode by increase breathing, muscles contract and activating hormones needed to run or fight. Thus, the lack of trust is trying to protect you from danger. In manual therapy, it is important for you/patients to have trust. Here is a Testimonial from one of my patients: Name: Janice Wright Occupation: Receptionist Location: Newmarket, Ontario Treatment By: Andrew Chan, RHN DOMP BSc DO (Candidate) Clinic: Smart Life Physio Address: 385 Silver Star Blvd, Unit 212, Scarborough, Ontario Phone Number: (416) 901-1788 During my experiences of a variety paramedical therapies including Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Massage. They all have their benefits. Dr. Andrew Chan’s Osteopathic Techniques was able to get to the root of the problem. His treatment is gentle, restorative, and constantly great in results and positive outcome to the level of more active and social in my day to day. I suggest his treatment highly. I am not suggesting that the manual therapy alone does not work unless there is some form of trust from you/patients or vice versa[2]. What I am suggesting is when there is trust, your body turns off that defensive mode, allowing you to feel calm and relax. With the aid of trust, follow by Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMTh) increasing the effectiveness of treatment[3]. 1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15834840 Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth and healing 2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23251939 Massage increases oxytocin and reduces adrenocorticotropin hormone in humans. 3. http://jaoa.org/article.aspx?articleid=2094344&resultClick=1 Touch: Vital to Patient-Physician Relationships

Do you know what you are eating?

Many patients asked me why after treatments they feel more energetic, less pain and becoming more social. Here is why: Light/Gentle Touch activates both A-Beta ...and C-Tactile (CT) fibers leading to sensations of calm, relaxation and release Oxytocin. Studies done on Oxytocin release suggest it increases our social interaction, decrease our blood pressure and sedative effects - Andrew Chan, RHN DOMP BSc DO(Candidate) "In The Science and Clinical Application of Manual Therapy, Uvnäs-Moberg and Petersson provide a neurophysiologic rationale for the effects of touch on perception and, interestingly, on perception of trust. Oxytocin released in the brain both by the touch and by the perception of trust in a patient causes unconscious feelings of well-being, a heightened pain threshold, and many other positive physical and mental states. Thus, touch has direct physiologic effects that are now becoming understood as true alterations in brain function." -

"The author concluded that HVLA to the L5-S1 joint has immediate positive effects on LBP, spinal mobility, and height in men with DD disease." Although the stu...dy shows that HLVA/grade 5 manipulation works, there are gentler techniques in Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy (OMTh) in aiding pain relief. - Andrew Chan, RHN DOMP BSc DO(Candidate) See more

Taking pain relief medication for low back pain? Did you know Manual Therapy such as Osteopathy demonstrated significant improvement in patients with chronic low back pain? http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25002440