Osteopathy
Osteopathy addresses your symptoms by using manual therapy and education to support healing and realignment. Our Osteopath, Antoine, works with patients of all ages. He has special training and skills in treating newborns experiencing breastfeeding difficulties.
Antoine Michel
DO (France)
Osteopathic Manual Therapist
Antoine (he/him) enjoys working with patients from all walks of life, including newborns, athletes, and anyone looking to optimize their health. He is skilled in helping patients with joint discomfort, back and neck pain, and shoulder dysfunctions. His range of abilities includes treating gut health, craniosacral therapy, and visceral manipulation.
He completed his osteopathy training in France, including an internship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Following three years of training with a pediatrician, he incorporated newborn care into his practice. He collaborates with breastfeeding clinics across Calgary, helping infants and their parents in the first stages of life. Antoine’s goal is to educate his patients, and actively involve them in their care. He adapts his treatment plans to their needs, and ensures that they are comfortable with the path chosen.
We can always count on Antoine’s wry sense of humour and blunt honesty during team meetings - he is French after all! While he works hard, when he’s away from the office he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, as well as exploring the outdoors.
FAQs
Your Guide to Osteopathy in Calgary at Ensemble Healthcare
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Osteopathy is a manual therapy that addresses pain by restoring normal joint function and stability to help the body heal itself. The overall goals are to reduce pain, improve movement and encourage blood flow.
Antoine assesses and manages a full range of issues, including dull discomforts, acute pain, and chronic issues. He cares for patients throughout their lifespan, from newborns to seniors. -
An initial discussion will review your symptoms, your general health and any other medical care you’re receiving. This will be followed by a physical examination to assess for areas of weakness, tenderness, restriction or strain throughout your body, but particularly in and around the spine.
After this assessment you will discuss the problem and treatment plans. Osteopaths use their hands to provide a mixture of gentle and forceful manipulation techniques to release and relax muscles, release stiff joints and restore natural range of motion.
Treatment plans typically include exercises and self-management techniques to help with recovery and prevent return of your symptoms. -
Osteopathy is not usually painful, however you may feel stiff or sore in the days following treatment, especially if you are treating a painful or inflamed injury. Antoine will tell you if he anticipates that you will be sore after treatment, and he will encourage you to let him know if you feel any pain during or after the treatment.
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Our goal is to offer a sustainable approach to pain management. The duration of treatment will vary depending on whether the pain is chronic or acute, and your overall health and medical history. For some patients only one session is all they need; if not, Antoine will provide you with an estimate of your treatment roadmap at your first visit.
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Like many other allied health professions, osteopathy is not covered by Alberta Health insurance.
Many private health insurance policies cover osteopathy, and Antoine can provide you with a receipt to claim these expenses. We are not able to offer direct billing for osteopathy care.
