From Horses to Healing … Mikaela Sattler finds her calling in Osteopathic Therapy

Mikaela Sattler was born to nurture. Relieving others from pain and discomfort has always been her goal … some may even call it a calling. The desire has never changed, but what has changed over time is the means in which she will do it.

Originally pursuing a career in nursing, Micky discovered that her true passion lay in a more hands-on approach to wellness. Today, she is building a practice in osteopathic therapy, helping clients identify and address the root causes of their pain and discomfort.
“Osteopathic therapy is a hands on treatment approach,” she explains. “There is some soft tissue work that’s similar to massage therapy, but it also involves mobilzation and manipulation of the joints, ligaments, tendons and bones.”

Micky, as everyone calls her, elaborates by sharing rather than focusing solely on where the pain is being felt, osteopathic therapy looks at how the entire body functions together.

“The pain may be in your thumb, but the actual source of the problem could be in you shoulder,” says Micky.

“One of my favourite parts of the practice is tracing the pain back to where it originated. It’s like solving a mystery.”

While Osteopathic therapy may seem like a significant departure from nursing, Micky’s journey toward the profession began in the equine world.

Before studying osteopathy, she earned qualifications as an equine massage therapist, vertebrae realignment specialist and joint play practitioner. Her work focuses on helping horses move more comfortably and recover from physical issues.

The skills she developed treating horses laid the foundation for her work with people.

“The terminology and concepts were very similar,” she says. “When I started studying osteopathy, it really felt like a natural transition.”

That transition was further strengthened through her mentorship with Deanna Spencer of Belmont, a highly respected osteopathic practitioner who has guided many students entering the field.

Micky began her formal osteopathic studies last fall, and later spent months completing her practical training under Spencer’s guidance.

“She (Mikaela) is very intuitive with body mechanics and treatment of body musculoskeletal issues. She uses the knowledge she has gained from the National Academy of Osteopathy as well as using her past education and experiences with horses and transferring that into her human practice,” said Spencer.

While Spencer forms a unique bond with all who she mentors, she feels her and Micky’s bond is that they both began with the same equine course which enabled her to show Micky how it relates to humans.

“I instantly knew this is what I wanted to do,” she said emphatically.

Her previous education in anatomy, movement, and body mechanics enabled her to transition comfortably into the new discipline, while her nursing studies provided her with an additional understanding of patient care.

As her osteopathic training progressed, Micky found herself increasingly certain about her future.

While she once envisioned a career in nursing, she now sees osteopathic therapy as the profession that best suits her interests and strengths.

“It just feels right, it fits so well,” she said.

Today Micky combines her experience, training and life long passion for helping others by offering a whole-body approach to wellness. Whether working with people or drawing on lessons learned from years in the equine industry, her focus remains the same; helping her clients understand their body, moving better and live with less pain.

For the past few months Micky has been getting hands-on experience and building her client base as she offers her services at The Vault in Glenboro.

What began in the barn caring for horses has evolved into a career helping people find relief, restore movement, and improve their quality of life … a purpose Micky believes she was always meant to pursue.

PHOTO CAPTION: Osteopathic therapy is a hands on treatment approach. PHOTO SUBMITTED