"So, like...everything is connected?"

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT OSTEOPATHY

Over nearly 5 years of practice, I am often asked an array of questions by patients. The most common of these revolve around and provoke argument for osteopathy. ‘How is osteopathy different from chiropractic or physiotherapy?’

‘How is it different from myotherapy, Bowen, reiki or kinesiology?’ 

‘Which one is better?’ To start with the last question, honestly, that cannot be answered. It is based purely on individual patient preference. I’ve heard promotion and defence of most different modalities and they’re all correct. Because they are a matter of opinion. And opinion can’t ever be wrong. However, when asked, I will educate people regarding the principles of osteopathy and what makes an osteopath an osteopath. I will also provide unbiased insight into other forms of alternative medicine. From here, the patient may form their own opinion and decide which approach will best suit management of their complaint. Now to answer those first questions.

What are the principles of osteopathic practice? Where does the approach come from? Osteopaths approach treatment of dysfunction or musculoskeletal pain experienced by patients with four main principles in mind:The body is a unit – the patient is compiled of body, mind and spiritThe body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance Structure and function of the body are reciprocally interrelated Rational treatment is based upon understanding these principles – body unity, self-regulation (homeostasis) and structure/function interrelationship (KCU, 2019).Are you beginning to see what is meant by ‘everything is connected’ and ‘holistic’ when referring to osteopathy? These principles guide every osteopath in their daily work. They make osteopaths distinct in the health care environment, particularly when there are so many other choices in alternative medicine and mainstream medicine (Paulus, 2013). Other forms of manual medicine have their own special principles that govern their approach to promoting health in the body that also set them apart on the manual medicine stage. 

Homeostasis is defined as ‘…any self-regulating process by which biological systems tend to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are optimal for survival’.

What is homeostasis? Why is it relevant to osteopathy? Homeostasis is the dynamic equilibrium (the seesaw activity) whereby physiological processes in the body allow for continuous change within relatively uniform conditions that keep the body alive.Respect toward the body’s capability of homeostatic mechanisms is one of the principles governing osteopathic approach to treatment of the body. Homeostasis is evident throughout the entire body. The very breaths you are taking right now while reading this article allow for carbon dioxide to be removed from your body and for oxygen to enter it, allowing for it to be perfused into your bloodstream to be taken to all cells.  A good example is wound healing. When you cut yourself, the open wound goes through multiple stages to heal itself, without any conscious effort on your part. Haemostasis occurs first, creating a protective wound scab. The scab provides a surface beneath which cell migration and movement of the wound edges can occur. Then inflammation brings nutrients to the area of the wound, removes debris and bacteria, and provides chemical stimuli for wound repair. Epithelization occurs next once all debris are removed, and new cells formed to create a healthy new area of skin over the old wound site (Phillips, 2000). 📷

But HOW is it all connected? The nervous system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, lymphatic system, endocrine system, immune system…all these intricate, unique and integral links of our amazing bodies need one another. Always. While we live and breathe. Dysfunction in one system leads to that within the others.Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

Our nervous system can be classed as the literal functional backbone of our existence. Nerve impulses, from the brain – the head honcho of our body – and our spinal cord, mediate all outgoing and incoming information and provide adjustments where applicable to ensure all our systems remain in relative balance. The body’s self-regulation of core body temperature demonstrates this well. Mammals, especially humans, maintain core body temperature within strict limits for optimal cell processes and tissue survival. This parameter is of a higher temperature than the external temperate in most instances! Receptors in multiple sites around the body provide constant feedback to the brain and nervous system about where this temperature resides. Responses such as sweating and shivering are instigated immediately when return information suggests core body temperature is at potential risk of rising or dropping, respectively (Tan & Knight, 2018).  The musculoskeletal system can initiate involuntary shivering to generate heat energy when it is cold.  The autonomic nervous system will initiate sweating to allow sweat to evaporate from the surface of the skin when it’s hot. The circulatory system will respond by way of vasodilation and vasoconstriction: the arteries of the body will dilate and constrict to maintain core body temperature in warm and cool conditions, respectively.

If contribution of any one of these systems were lacking, it would demand more of the remaining active systems. Though the nervous system may be considered up the hierarchy of systems, it would cease to function without the support of our other body systems.

Osteopathic techniques and approaches are tailored to support systems which are potentially underperforming. This can be achieved by affecting several important factors such as posture (when severe, inadequate posture can prevent efficient motion of the thoracic cage for breathing) and range of motion (a symptom of cervical dysfunction is dizziness which can be a safety issue).  Techniques and approaches can include: soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, ‘cracking’/HVLA (high velocity low amplitude) manipulation, effleurage (light massage and pumping for the lymphatic system). The musculoskeletal, circulatory and lymphatic systems are being focused upon and influenced with these techniques.  However, the causative reaction from such techniques results in the other bodily systems in turn being affected, especially the nervous system, as it reads changes in the tissues as they are impacted upon (KCU, 2019). Restoring neck range of motion can eliminate dizziness and restore stability with active motion without danger. Ensuring good motion of the ribs allows for adequate diaphragmatic function and deeper, full breaths. Those with severe scoliosis are a classic example of individuals whereby posture affects their respiration – to the point it can be laboured (Tan & Knight, 2018).  Overall, osteopathic techniques can have impact on several different processes at once! Which I feel, makes them pretty awesome!

Look after yourself.

Lenore