Osteopathic Manual
Therapy Apprentice
Jacob Simonini,
A-EMCA, ACP
Jacob Simonini is a first year apprentice in osteopathic manual therapy. He is currently studying a 4+1 year program in the Masters in Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences (M.OMSc) program at the CAO-HHS. Jacob’s foundation of patient treatment is on an individual basis that involves the whole body as a comprehensive unit. Jacob’s practice promotes the value of patient care and patient progress through the manual application of osteopathic manipulative science while integrating modern techniques and theory into his clinical practice thus benefiting the overall health of his patients. In keeping with professionalism, continual education and consistent research in the osteopathic field, Jacob hopes to advance the practice of osteopathy and strive to minimize patients discomfort and suffering and as a result provide a better quality of life for each individual he has the opportunity to treat and learn from.
In addition to studying in the Masters in Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences program, Jacob is also a full time Advanced Care Paramedic. Jacob has become a leading paramedic in his knowledge and practice of the profession and through his expertise has also been an instructor for upcoming advanced care paramedics. Through his work as a paramedic, Jacob realized his passion for the human body and wanted to study it further. In doing so, Jacob took the opportunity of working alongside a team of physicians involved in prehospital research called R.O.C (Resuscitation Outcome Consortium). Searching for a new challenge and more in depth understanding of the human body and how it functions, Jacob has now immersed himself in the study and practice of osteopathy. During his time as a student and apprentice Jacob plans to study abroad and gain expertise from the most influential practitioners in osteopathy. To advance his understanding of osteopathy as well as the practice he applies to his patients, Jacob also plans to involve himself in the research of osteopathy in hopes to perfect treatments and overall patient care.
Jacob strongly believes in dedication, hard work and taking every learning opportunity possible. Whether the learning comes from the classroom, or in practical application, Jacob strives to excel in his osteopathic manual therapy apprenticeship and his ability to help and heal the patients he is privileged enough to treat and learn from.
In Jacob’s spare time, he enjoys a life in the country on a horse farm with his wife and family. He enjoys an active lifestyle of hiking, traveling and even riding horses from time to time!
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Step 1:
Presenting complaint will be discussed during the initial stages of the first visit. A complete medical history will then be taken, reviewed, discussed and recorded.
Step2:
A comprehensive full body manual diagnosis will be done to assess for somatic dysfunctions.
Step 3:
The patient will receive an Osteopathic treatment of the body in its totality with the use of a multitude of Osteopathic therapeutic approaches.
Step 4:
A treatment plan will be set forth to improve the overall health and wellness of the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Osteopathy?
A: Osteopathy is a profession that uses manual diagnosis and manual treatment modalities that are based upon the principles defined by the founder of Osteopathy, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. (OOA website)
Osteopathy defined by Dr. Still:
It is a scientific knowledge of anatomy and physiology in the hands of a person of intelligence and skill, who can apply that knowledge to the use of man when sick or wounded by strains, shocks, falls, or mechanical derangement or injury of any kind to the body. An up-to-date osteopath must have a masterful knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Curing diseases by skillful readjustment of the parts of the body that have been deranged by strains, falls, or any other cause that may have removed even a minute nerve from the normal, although not more than the thousandth of an inch. He sees cause in a slight anatomical deviation for the beginning of disease. (Andrew Taylor Still, 1902)
Osteopathy has a rich history beginning in the USA with Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still was a physician that realized basic fundamental principles were lacking in medical practice. After the death of his wife and children to illness, he embarked on a journey into functional anatomy and philosophy. After years of research and practice he coined the term Osteopathy and began teaching this new art and began teaching this new art and science in 1892 in Kirksville, Missouri, USA at the American School of Osteopathy. The fundamental principles that he used to found Osteopathy are (CAO-HHS):
- The body is a complete unit (mind, body, and spirit)
- Structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are interrelated on all levels
- The body is self healing and self regulating
- Rational treatment is based upon these principles
Q: What is an Osteopath?
A: Osteopaths are educated and trained to work exclusively without the use of drugs or surgery by using manual methods for diagnosis and treatment. This is the predominant method of education worldwide outside of the USA and it is what is currently present in Canada. An Osteopath in this context is different from an Osteopathic physician. (OOA website)
Q: What is an Osteopathic physician?
A:Osteopathic physicians are educated in schools of Osteopathic Medicine and are licensed and credentialed to an unrestricted scope of medical practice in the USA. This is the only country in the world offering a recognized medical degree in Osteopathic medicine. Most of these practitioners work in medical settings in much the same way as an M.D. does, practicing in almost all medical specialties. Additionally, these practitioners may be eligible for medical licensing in many countries outside the USA. (OOA website)
Q: How are Osteopaths educated?
A:Osteopaths have extensive education in all divisions of the human health sciences, Osteopathic philosophy, diagnosis, and manual treatment. The academic rigor is similar to those who hold medical degrees; however, the subjects are in keeping with the philosophy, science, and applications of Osteopathy. The format in which this occurs may vary, but the core content and competencies as required by the OOA are as follows:
Basic human science - Clinical science
- Osteopathic science
- Osteopathic clinical skills
- Osteopathic manual treatment skills
- Practical supervised clinical experience
I am currently attending the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy and Holistic Health Sciences (CAO-HHS) in Hamilton, Ontario. The CAO-HHS is associated with world renown associations and partners. They include the Ontario Osteopathic Association, the Institute of Classical Osteopathy, the European Institute of Classical Osteopathy, and the Association of Classical Osteopathy of Japan. I am currently a student member of the OOA (www.ontarioosteopaths.ca).