Osteopathic Health Care

Osteopathic Philosophy
what are the particular emphases that characterize Osteopathy?

Andrew Taylor Still had three basic ‘Principles’:

• Structure governs function
• The body produces its own medicines
• The rule of the artery is supreme

These are still widely quoted, rarely explained and in general not very helpful when it comes to understanding Osteopathy.

1. Structure and function are obviously interdependent; one does not govern’ the other. However, if an individual’s structure, i.e., their morphology and musculoskeletal patency is disturbed or distorted, then their function will change. In other words, the body is a unit and acts as a unit in both health and disease.

 

2. The body produces its own medicines (an amazing piece of intuitive insight by Still), however until we know with more accuracy just how this happens so that it can be exploited more effectively, we are still in the dark. It is true as a statement but is a long way from explaining how osteopathy can effectively use it as a therapy. We call upon it to explain certain clinical phenomena, but that is not the same as saying that osteopathy works by stimulating the body to produce its own medicines. It is probably involved, but the evidence is lacking.

 

3. Blood supply is obviously important for the nutrition and drainage of a tissue. If it is inadequate or impaired then the likelihood of disease establishing itself in the tissue is much higher. What Still meant by using the words ‘rule’ and ‘supreme’ in relation to arterial supply is a matter of conjecture. What relevance does it have today? Should it be modified to say that the circulatory channels provide an integrating and supportive framework to the individual?

 

Kirksville College Of Osteopathic Medicine Modification Of Andrew Taylor Still ‘Principles’

 

1.  The body is a unit
2.  Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
3. The body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms.
4. The body has the inherent capacity to defend itself and repair itself.
5. When normal adaptability is disrupted, or when environmental changes overcome the body’s capacity for self-maintenance, the disease may ensue.
6.  Movement of body fluids is essential to the maintenance of health.
7. The nerves play a crucial role in controlling the fluids of the body.
8.  There are somatic components to a disease that are not only manifestations of disease, but also are factors that contribute to the maintenance of the diseased state.

Stephen Tyreman 1992. Concepts for Osteopathic Health Care, Section 2 BSO course notes (edited slightly by Lazarus Nono 2018)