You don't have to explain your past to feel safe during a treatment
And you never have to accept touch that doesn't feel right.
For some people, receiving hands-on treatment feels natural. For others, being touched, examined or asked to move in a certain way can bring discomfort, anxiety or a sense of vulnerability. You might know exactly why. Or you might not have a clear explanation at all.
At Bonjour Osteopathy in Downtown Vancouver, I believe good care starts with listening, not touching. My trauma-informed approach to osteopathy puts your comfort, consent and autonomy at the centre of every session. We decide together what you want to work on, which techniques feel appropriate and how we can adapt the treatment to your needs. You are not expected to share personal experiences, accept every technique or push through discomfort.
What Is Trauma-Informed Care in Osteopathy?
Trauma-informed care is an approach to healthcare...
Trauma-informed care is an approach to healthcare that recognizes how past experiences can influence a person's relationship with their body, physical contact, movement and sense of safety. Trauma does not affect everyone in the same way. For some people, it can influence how they experience physical touch, certain positions, pain or medical examinations. Others may simply feel uncomfortable without knowing why. In my osteopathic practice in Vancouver, this translates into five essential principles:
- Choice: You decide which techniques you are comfortable with and whether you want hands-on treatment.
- Consent: I explain what I intend to do and ask for your permission before proceeding. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
- Collaboration: We establish your goals together rather than following a predetermined treatment plan.
- Safety: We create an environment where you can ask questions, express discomfort and take breaks.
- Respect: You never need to disclose a traumatic experience to receive appropriate care. Trauma-informed osteopathy is not simply about being gentle or avoiding physical contact. It is about making sure that touch, movement and treatment decisions remain collaborative.
