Accepting new patients. Please book an osteopathic assessment for your first visit.
If you have not previously had treatment with Martha she is taking new patients. Please book an osteopathic assessment for your first visit. If you have any questions please email martha@marthafaron.com.
Osteopathy is a distinctive form of manual therapy that goes beyond merely addressing the symptoms of illness or injury; it delves into identifying and tackling the root causes of bodily dysfunction. Originating from the pioneering work of American physician Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in Kirksville, Missouri, in 1874, osteopathic manual therapy is grounded in a profound understanding of the body's intricate balance and self-healing potential.
Dr. Still's visionary insight recognized the innate self-regulation and self-healing capacities of the human body, contingent upon the harmonious interplay of its internal structures. He observed that diseases and injuries disrupt this harmony, leading to diminished mobility and physical adaptation, which, in turn, hamper the body's ability to regulate and maintain health. In response, Dr. Still devised hands-on manipulative techniques to restore the unhindered flow of oxygenated blood throughout the musculoskeletal system. This approach revitalizes tissues, bones, and joints, fostering resistance against disease. The foundation of osteopathic manual therapy rests upon Dr. Still's fundamental principles, which continue to guide modern osteopaths in patient assessment, treatment, and management.
"The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit." Osteopathic manual therapy places the patient at the heart of the healthcare model. Osteopathic manual practitioners tailor personalized treatment plans, emphasizing health restoration, disease prevention, and overall well-being.
"The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance." Osteopathic manual practitioners recognize patients as key drivers of their health journey. A patient's capacity to heal is intimately tied to their actions. Osteopathic manual practitioners facilitate and nurture the patient's healing response, utilizing adept palpation and osteopathic manual treatments. These interventions draw upon mechanical, neurological, circulatory, respiratory, metabolic, and biopsychosocial healthcare models.
"Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated." Osteopathic manual practitioners grasp that the human body functions as an indivisible whole. Any structural disharmony reverberates throughout the body, affecting overall function.
"Rational treatment is based upon understanding the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function." By applying osteopathic principles, manual techniques, and contemporary advances in health and medicine, osteopaths strive to rectify dysfunction and amplify the body's intrinsic repair mechanisms. Recognizing the uniqueness of each patient's health, osteopathic treatment avoids rigid protocols, acknowledging the intricate interplay of physical, psychological, and environmental elements.
From injuries and illnesses to underlying systemic conditions, osteopathy offers effective pain management and rehabilitation. Noteworthy conditions that osteopathy addresses encompass:
- Neck, back, and joint pain
- Nerve pain (e.g., Sciatica)
- Migraines and headaches
- Concussion/MTBI
- Plantar fasciitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis and golfer's elbow
- Rotator cuff dysfunction
- Frozen shoulder
- Whiplash
- Post-operative pain and scars
- Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles Tendonitis)
- Muscle tension and strains
- Respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma)
- Menstrual conditions (e.g., cramping, bloating)
- Pregnancy and postpartum pain
- TMJ disorders
- Sinusitis
- Vertigo (BPPV)
- Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) related to work and sport
- Inflammatory conditions (e.g., edema)
- Digestive symptoms (IBS, constipation, diarrhea)
- Pediatric conditions (e.g., birth trauma, difficulty latching, colic, reflux, torticollis)
- Adolescent conditions (e.g., growing pains, Osgood-Schlatters, athletic injuries)
- Recovery from bone fractures
- General health maintenance and injury prevention
- And much more...
In summary, osteopathy represents a holistic and dynamic approach to health, emphasizing the body's inherent wisdom and potential for self-healing. Rooted in sound principles and adaptive techniques, osteopathic manual therapy is a powerful tool for fostering wellness and vitality across various conditions.
Most major Canadian insurance providers cover osteopathic manual therapy. However, each plan is different and you will need to check with your provider regarding coverage. Martha is able to currently direct bill Medavie Blue Cross ,VAC, Manulife, Canada Life, and Green Shield primary plans. A receipt is provided at the time of payment for you to recover the cost of treatment to any eligible plans. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your situation, please email martha@marthafaron.com.
Rates and Insurance
all rates effective March 1, 2025 and include HST
Pediatric (ages 0-15)
Initial Assessment (50 min): $110
Follow-Up (45 min): $95
Adults (ages 16+)
Initial Assessment (50 min): $160
Follow-Up (45 min): $125
Payments can be made by Visa, Mastercard, Debit, e-transfer (Debit), and cash.
Please understand that a cancellation fee of 50% of the appointment cost will be charged for cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations made within 4 hours of the scheduled appointment time, as well as no shows, will be charged the full appointment fee. Cancellation fees are not reimbursed by your insurance provider.
It is recommended to wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing to treatment. You may be asked to undress, to your underwear, in order to assess and treat the area of your dysfunction. In such cases, you will be offered shorts and a tank top. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own shorts in order to achieve your optimal level of comfort. It is Martha’s priority to always work within your level of comfort. It is through open communication, welcoming both questions and comments, that Martha establishes and maintains your consent to treatment.
Martha Faron is a member in good standing with the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths (NSAO).
Members of the NSAO, are not Osteopathic Physicians, Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DO, formerly Doctor of Osteopathy) nor do they practice Osteopathic Medicine
Osteopathic Manual Practice is not regulated by the government, however the NSAO is actively seeking government regulation to protect the public and our profession
Osteopathic Manual Practitioners are not members of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia.
Our practitioners are members in good standing with the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths (NSAO)
Osteopathy aims to harness the innate healing abilities of the body whilst supporting a patient’s physical recovery using manual therapy and rehabilitative exercise. Her role as an osteopath is to guide, educate, and empower the patient during their treatment, with the patient at the centre of the process.
Martha has a dynamic patient population ranging from pediatrics and adolescents to adults and elders. Her 10-plus years of manual osteopathic clinical experience, underlay by her background in Emergency medicine and premedical studies, form the foundation of her knowledge and skills in practice.
Martha sees her role in treatment as that of a facilitator, coach and advocate for the patient through their healing process. Martha firmly believes that the power of healing lies within the patient rather than in the hands of the practitioner. It is through the application of skilled palpation and an extensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics that Martha seeks to help promote a patient’s innate healing ability. Through her educated hands, she aims to find the root of the dysfunction and help reduce and alleviate the symptoms.
Martha has extensive experience in the treatment and management of acute and chronic conditions and she can develop a care plan suited to the patient’s individual healthcare needs. She utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to treating musculoskeletal pain using dry needling, sport massage therapy and Reiki, alongside her osteopathic training. Her approach to patient rehabilitation and aftercare is informed by being a senior yoga instructor and by her further study on exercise in the workplace for her Master’s dissertation.
Martha has specialist interests in the management of patients with chronic pain and has advanced training in the use of mindfulness meditation and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT). Her further postgraduate education in cranial sacral therapy with the Upledger Institute, concussion management with SHIFT and Concussion Rehab Works Inc., and visceral osteopathy with the Barral Institute and Jean Pierre Barral DO, has enhanced her knowledge of functional treatments for patients with systemic conditions.
Professional memberships: The General Osteopathic Council (United Kingdom), the Ontario Association of Osteopaths, and the Nova Scotia Association of Osteopaths.
Martha welcomes patients of all ages for osteopathic treatment to manage their current health issues and restore a sense of balance and well-being in their lives.