Why Manual Osteopathy?
Traditional therapy has approached pain from two contrasting perspectives. One viewpoint advocates avoiding pain, essentially “masking” symptoms and teaching patients to cope with their issues. Although this method avoids direct trauma, it leaves people content with limited results and the potential for cumulative micro-trauma over time due to untreated restrictions. These micro-traumas act as ticking time bombs in the system, leading to a recurrence of symptoms or a shift to other areas—a seldom satisfactory solution.
The alternative school of thought follows a “no pain, no gain” approach, instructing patients to exercise through pain. Unfortunately, this often results in strong but agonized patients. Aggressive manual techniques, like manipulation, may force pressure into osseous structures without considering the tight myofascial environment surrounding them. This aggressive force can lead to increased pain, injury, or a return of symptoms because the myofascial system’s restrictions haven’t been addressed beforehand.
Integrating osteopathic principles presents a more comprehensive solution. The focus is on addressing not just symptoms but the underlying causes of pain and restricted motion. By applying gentle, sustained pressure into the fascial system—a core principle of manual osteopathy—there’s an emphasis on creating a free mobile environment for pain-sensitive structures, including muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and osseous structures. This enhances the effectiveness of manipulation, mobilization procedures, muscle energy techniques, and exercise and flexibility programs, such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, and qigong.
Myofascial unwinding, another aspect of osteopathic principles, recognizes the piezoelectric nature of fascial tissue. Through gentle sustained pressure and facilitation techniques, such as compression, traction, or twisting, the therapist stimulates the body’s bioenergy flow. This, in turn, triggers spontaneous therapeutic motion, allowing the body to assume positions representing past traumas. Within the safe confines of a treatment session, the re-experiencing of pain memories is not injurious. Instead, it helps release holding or bracing patterns that impede traditional therapeutic progress.
In essence, the integration of osteopathic principles offers a more nuanced and effective approach to pain relief and the restoration of motion. Addressing the fascial system, understanding its piezoelectric nature, and employing techniques like myofascial unwinding contribute to a holistic and transformative therapeutic experience.
By Lee Botbijl
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