Osteopathic Manual Therapy offers
a very gentle approach.
For babies and children.
Osteopathic Manual Therapy and Your Baby
Heather Pierce is a registered massage therapist and an osteopathic manual practitioner with a focus in paediatric osteopathy, pre-natal and postpartum care.
In tandem with your baby or child’s health care team, pediatric osteopathy can help in the following areas:
BABY
Latch and feeding challenges
Shoulder dystocia
Torticollis
Positional Plagiocephaly
Discontented, Colic
Reflux and gastrointestinal health
Lymphatic drainage
Birth trauma
CHILD
Orthopedic – muscle and joint
Alignment and posture
Post-concussion management
Temporomandibular function
Respiratory function
Digestive function
Lymphatic drainage
Osteopathic Manual Therapy and You
Prenatal and postpartum osteopathic care can provide support during pregnancy and help restore muscle and tissue balance after labour and delivery. Typically, postpartum care begins 6-8 weeks postpartum, but it is never too late to address body issues that arose during this time.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners can help in many ways; some examples are:
PRENATAL
ensure healthy diaphragmatic tone
maintain rib mobility and treatment of intercostal muscles
reduce thoraco-lumbar strain
assessment and treatment of pelvic floor
assessment and treatment of pelvic joints and hip mobility
homecare and exercises to prep for labour and delivery
POSTPARTUM
restore healthy tone, flexibility and function of the thoracic and pelvic diaphragms
help create flexible scar tissue from C-section or episiotomy
restore posture
visceral treatment
ease reflux and heartburn
pressure regulation to ease varicosities, prolapse, hemorrhoids
Osteopathic Manual Therapy
Osteopathy is a person-centred manual (hands-on) approach to health guided by principles relating to the patient as a whole.
Osteopathic manual practitioners aim to encourage optimal healing, recovery or rehabilitation. The practice of osteopathy relies on skilled manual, non-invasive therapeutic techniques for assessment and treatment.
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners undergo extensive education and clinical training, and may work in close collaboration with medical doctors and other healthcare professionals to assure a multidisciplinary approach.
Philosophy of Osteopathy
The unique discipline of Osteopathy was founded in the late 1800’s by Andrew Taylor Still. Osteopathic manual treatment includes a review of all body systems. Osteopathy focuses on how your joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, and connective tissues work together to improve your overall well-being.
Principles of osteopathy explain the body as a functional unit where structure and function are interrelated. Any structure which alters blood and fluid flow is of interest to the osteopath. Osteopathic manual therapists seek to boost the person’s inherent system of autoregulation.
NOVA SCOTIA ASSOCIATION OF OSTEOPATHS (MANUAL PRACTICE)
MEMBERS’ STATEMENT:
We are not Osteopathic Physicians and as such do not Practice Osteopathic Medicine, however we do provide Osteopathic Manual Therapy. Our Osteopaths do not refer to themselves as Practicing Medicine or a Medical Practitioner. We do not refer to Osteopathy as any type of medicine, make reference to the Practice of Medicine in any way. Our Therapists do not refer to themselves as D.O. or Dr. We do not claim to give guidance (beyond scope of practice) or conduct Medical Assessments, Medical Diagnosis or use other language specific to Medicine.
A stretch class with elements of balance, core, and breathe
What’s New?
Stretch, Balance & Flow Class
Click on the patient portal button to book online or email to pre-register
About Heather
Heather’s osteopathic treatment approach is to treat the whole person. Through a comprehensive health history intake and assessment, Heather strives to provide a treatment plan that integrates the biopsychosocial model of care.
As a mother of a beautiful young boy, Heather has personal experience with the early struggles of feeding. Heather strives to work within a team of healthcare providers such as lactation consultants, physicians, and pediatric physiotherapists to help provide the best possible support and care.
Heather has had a successful career as a professional dancer and teacher of ballet and yoga. These interests and talents have figured prominently in her winding path to pediatric osteopathy. Heather has a keen eye for alignment and kinesthetic expertise.
She is continuing her postgraduate paediatric osteopathic studies with a compassionate mind and heart.
Professional Credentials
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THESIS, 2017
THE PRINCIPLE, ‘THE ROLE OF THE ARTERY IS ABSOLUTE’ IN OSTEOPATHIC PRACTICE, A QUALITATIVE STUDY by HEATHER PIERCE CORMIER
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Dalhousie University, Bachelor of Arts
Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, Registered Massage Therapist
College d’etudes Osteopathiques, Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice
Member of Massage Therapist’s Association of Nova Scotia
Member of Ontario Association of Osteopaths
Member of Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths
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Embryological Palpation and Identifying Patterns in the Adult, Brad McCutcheon, NSAO, November 12,13, 2022.
A Manual Approach to Treating the Unsettled Baby, Miranda Clayton, Mum&Baby@home, UK, Feb-March 2022.
Abdominal Motions, Paediatric Osteopathy Pathway, Sutherland Cranial College UK, Jun 5-6, 2021.
A Manual Approach to Treating Breastfeeding Disorders in Infants, Miranda Clayton, UK, Mum&Baby@home, Jan 12-March 7, 2021.
Establishing Oxygenation and Vascular flow, Paediatric Osteopathy Pathway, Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy UK, February 27-28, 2021.
Dynamic Core for Kids, Heartspace Physical Therapy, Shelley Mannell, December 2020.
The first year of life, Sutherland Cranial College of Osteopathy UK, course director Hilary Percival, Feb 28-March 2, 2020.
Gross Anatomy Lab, Dalhousie University, January 31, 2019.
Tongue Ties and Their Impact on Infant Feeding, Atlantic Lactation Consultant Association, October 5, 2019.
Osteopathy and Chronic Pain, Canadian College of Osteopathy, by Genevieve Forget, September 29-October 2, 2017.
Advanced Lymphatics, Swiss International College of Osteopathy, by Pierrette Cyr, September 2-5, 2017.
The 4th Trimester of Pregnancy, by Anne-Julie Morand, DO, College d’Etudes Osteopathiques de Montreal, June 7, 2017.
La specificite de l’ajustement osteo-articulaire osteopathique, by David Lachaise, DO, College d’Etudes Osteopathiques de Montreal, June 3-6, 2017.
Gynaecological Treatment to Enhance Fertility, by Genevieve Kermorgant, DO, College d’Etudes Osteopathiques de Montreal, June 8, 2016.
Treating Concussions – stages 1,2,3 Endocranial Spasms and Neuroplasticity, by Philippe Druelle, DO, June 4-7, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Self Directed Gross Anatomy Lab Course For Osteopaths, Dalhousie University, April 19, 2016.
Blechschmidt’s Concept of Metabolic Fields in Three Parts: The Difference Between Analogy and Homology, by Jean-Paul Hoppner, DO, Canadian College of Osteopathy, November 7,8, 2015.
Frequently
Asked
Questions
If you are new to the clinic, or have questions, please have a look at the FAQs.
If you still have questions, please contact me.
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The clinic is located at 96 Sherwood Dr. (lower level)
Please use lower level door and wait in the waiting room.
Movement Classes are held at Our Celtic Hearth, Hortonville
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If this is your first appointment, please call 902.702.2800 to arrange a date and time.
Once your appointment is booked, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to an online consent and health history form. Please complete the form before your first appointment. The form takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Your first appointment will include a complete review of your health history as well as an assessment and short hands-on treatment. I will review any findings and discuss a treatment plan with you. You or your child’s treatment plan may include a homecare plan as well.
For returning patients, I invite you to use the online booking software. If you would like some help setting up your profile, please don’t hesitate to call and ask. Please add yourself or your child to the waitlist if you don’t see available appointment times.
Your first appointment is 45-60 minutes. Follow up appointments are either 30 or 45 minutes.
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ADULTS: loose fitting tank and elastic waist shorts.
CHILDREN: comfortable clothing
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Some patients have allergies and sensitivities to scents. Reactions to perfumes and scented products are as individual as the person. Common reactions are sneezing, coughing, sore throat, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. Other reactions that are not as obvious can be loss of concentration, confusion, irritability, and behaviour changes. We ask that all patients avoid wearing scents or using scented products while on the premises. The most crucial scents to remove from our clinic environment are perfumes, colognes, strong deodorants, aftershave, body lotion and scented hair spray. The elimination of scented detergents and fabric softeners would also help decrease annoyance and severe health risk.
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NSAO http://www.novascotiaosteopaths.ca/wp/
SCCO https://scco.ac
mtans https://www.mtans.ca
Synergy https://www.synergyphysiopilates.ca
Jessica Bergevin https://www.jbphysio.ca
Julie Skaling Physiotherapy http://skalingphysio.com
Christine MacDonald RMT Wolfville, NS 902.542.5380
Erica Poole B.Ost https://harmonyhealthcentre.org/our-team/erica-2/
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First appointment adult $133.90 + HST
First appointment paediatric $118.40 + HST
Follow up 45mins $118.40 + HST
Follow up 30mins $80 + HST