A few months ago I gave a presentation on a project I had undertaken to analyze technique descriptions to identify the commonalities they present. My aim was to identify those commonalities to develop a theoretical approach to guide approaches to teaching and applying osteopathic treatment. I will embed the video presentation below and follow that with the article I have written. This will stand as an initial marker for sharing this concept publicly.
Here we take an overarching look at indirect treatment methods. The aim is to describe the uniting concept with all of the systems in that we aim to make soft tissues in the region of interest palpably soften. “Ease” is identified through palpatory softening.
This post is going to be on the longer side. The aim is to take a look at some available research to highlight the issues with most manual therapeutic models and suggest that we may want to make some professional Gestalt shifts (aka changes in perspective based on the same information).
How does one go about learning to be an Osteopath? What does one need to know? First and foremost a thorough knowledge of functional anatomy is absolutely required (functional anatomy includes physiology in my mind). The principles governing body functions are necessary knowledge as well. Knowing those two broad topics may leave someone out in the cold if they have no exposure to actual hands-on methods. The dilemma for the Principles based teacher or practitioner is how to introduce hands-on methods without having the student taking the demonstrated method as the only way to actually apply treatment? Further to that, how does the Principles based teacher or practitioner bridge the gap between telling a student that they NEED to do something a SPECIFIC way while they are learning it to ensure safety and once they have mastered that method they are required to create their own way? Continue reading
Classical Osteopathy in Ontario 