Frequently Asked Questions
Is the treatment covered by insurance?
Osteopathic treatments are covered by many insurance plans — please check with your insurance company in advance. Receipts are issued as Osteopathic Treatment by Alexander Dergunov, DOMP. Relaxation and corrective massage are not covered: I'm an osteopathic manual practitioner, not a Registered Massage Therapist.
Will you crack my back?
Never. Gentle, low-force techniques only — no thrusts, no cracking, no forcing. The complete list is public.
What is osteopathy?
A hands-on manual practice that treats the body as one connected system and works on the cause of tension and restriction — often not where you feel it. Full plain-language explainer here.
Is an osteopath a doctor? Do you diagnose?
In Canada, osteopathic manual practitioners are not medical doctors. I don't diagnose, prescribe or treat diseases. I assess and treat structural imbalance. If you need a physician, I'll tell you and refer you.
Who do you not treat?
Children (adults only), and chronic or complex medical pathologies — those deserve medical professionals, and I'll help you reach the right one. My work is for everyday bodies: desk tension, stress, stiffness, tiredness, recovery.
What happens during a session?
Two phases: the massage (warming, light stretching, and the bodywork style you choose), then the treatment — gentle osteopathic work where your body needs it, agreed with you before we start. You control pressure and comfort throughout. In a spa massage, relaxation is the result; here, it's the starting point.
How does the assessment work? Is it extra?
No extra fee — the assessment is included in your first visit, and it starts at home: intake forms arrive online with your booking, and you can add a free 15-minute video call to go through them together. At the first session a hands-on assessment confirms your plan before treatment begins. (A real osteopathic assessment needs hands — the video call prepares your visit, it doesn't replace it.)
Do you offer packages?
Yes: 3 sessions −10%, 5 sessions −15%, on 50- and 80-minute Osteopathic Treatments. Never sold as pressure — only if a short series genuinely fits your plan.
What should I wear? How do I prepare?
Comfortable clothing; for Thai-style work you stay dressed, for oil massage you undress to your comfort level. Arrive hydrated. Nothing else needed.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. Many people feel a clear difference after one or two. Long-standing patterns may need a short series — discussed openly, never sold as a package you don't need.
Is heat-assisted preparation safe?
Where the room allows heat, it's optional and screened first. Heat is generally comfortable, but people with cardiovascular conditions, certain medical conditions, or pregnancy should consult their doctor — and we skip it when in doubt.
Can I combine this with physiotherapy, chiropractic or RMT massage?
Yes. Osteopathic work complements other therapies well. Tell me what else you're doing so the approaches support each other.