The Principles of Osteopathy

Dr. Still based Osteopathy on three main principles:

1.  The body is a whole. 

2.  The body is a self-regulating, self-healing mechanism. 

3.  Structure and function are related. 

A common complaint heard by osteopaths is about how the previous care provider focused only on the part of their body that was injured or not functioning well.   Osteopathic patients are often amazed at the difference in perspective and treatment when the body and person are considered as a whole entity.  The three main principles of osteopathy lead one to ask the following questions:

·        How does structure affect health?

·         How does the whole body connection affect health?

·         How does the mind affect the body?

·         How are these issues helped by Osteopathy?

Osteopathy uses gentle hands on treatment to improve the body’s function.  It works through the subtle motion present in the living body at all times.  When that motion is lost or inhibited there is discomfort, pain and disease.  This loss of motion is called somatic dysfunction.  I am among the few osteopaths that have studied both the fascial (connective tissue) and the biodynamic models of osteopathic treatment. 

When the symptoms of pain and stiffness appear, the emotional state of the patient must be explored in order to clear any significant causative factors.  I regularly take the necessary time with patients to uncover situations contributing to their physical symptoms.  Negative emotional states such as stress, fear, anger, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem and anxiety have a detrimental impact on health by increasing the muscular tension which in turn pulls on the skeletal structure and reduces the flow of all fluids within the body.  Here are cases examples from my practice illustrating how these principles were applied.

·         A patient came to me with low back pain.  Her treatment consisted of working on their upper back and neck area.  This produced a much freer feeling in their low back and relief from the pain.

·         A child came to me with neck pain.  I noticed a problem with her right big toe during the palpation portion of the examination.  Once the pressure was relieved the treatment for the neck pain worked beautifully.  I could not help her neck until I released the toe.

·         A patient developed gastritis and esophageal reflux after her son was sent off to war.  Her condition became chronic, unresponsive to medicine and led to constipation.  Upon discussing what was going on in her life, I discovered that she would physically hold her breath and her abdomen muscles while suppressing her feelings of fear and anxiety about her son.  The tension held in the chest and abdomen reduced the flow of fluids which in turn reduced the normal activity of the bowel.  Her body wanted to cry out, “from the gut”, to express the feelings of sadness and fear.  By inhibiting the need to cry, her abdominal muscles became more and more tense.  This demonstrates how the muscles responded by entrapping energy within the abdomen.  The patient developed a physical illness which appeared to be a simple medical condition.  By uncovering and addressing the emotional root issue her path to recovery became easier.

Osteopathy also has a spiritual component.  I practice osteopathy as it was intended and include the spiritual component in working with my patients appropriately.  This does not negate the science behind the principles of the osteopathic practice.  Nor does my practice of osteopathy or osteopathy in general promote a particular religious or spiritual philosophy rather it recognizes that a person’s spirituality is an important component of healing.