Principles of Osteopathy
“Osteopathy provides a broad range of approaches in the maintenance of health and the management of disease. Osteopathy is grounded in the following principles for treatment and patient management:
- the human being is a dynamic functional unit, whose state of health is influenced by the body, mind and spirit;
- the body possesses self-regulatory mechanisms and is naturally self healing;
- structure and function are interrelated at all levels of the human body.”
(WHO 2010)
Principles of Systems Theory
A system is a collection of elements that are interconnected and together solve a purpose.
It is self-regulatory, resilient to disturbances, poses emergent properties, acting from its own rules and logics in time and context.
A living system is an open system that employs feedback loops, facilitating adaptation and evolution based on interactions within and outside the system (environment).
Adapted from foundational works on Systems Theory by (Bertalanffy 2015, Hammond 2010, Meadows 2008, von Foerster 2003, Maturana & Varela 1980).
Resemblance and potential benefits
Both osteopathy and systems theory champion a holistic approach. Osteopathy emphasizes the intertwined nature of body, mind, and spirit, while systems theory underscores the interconnectedness of elements within a given system. This shared philosophy prompts a question: Could systems theory provide a language and framework that might strengthen osteopathic principles within the scientific community?
Using systems theory, osteopathy might articulate its core beliefs in ways that resonate more strongly with diverse stakeholders, from medical researchers to healthcare policymakers. For example, aligning osteopathy’s understanding of the body’s self-healing mechanisms with systems theory’s concepts of resilience could lend more scientific credence. Moreover, in a healthcare world that values interdisciplinarity, seeing health from a systems perspective can promote greater collaboration between osteopaths and other healthcare professionals.
In essence, while operating in different spheres, the commonalities between osteopathy and systems theory could position systems thinking as a conduit to amplify and validate osteopathic principles to a wider scientific audience.
In the evolving landscape of medical practice and research, leveraging systems theory could not only illuminate the underlying principles of osteopathy but might also elevate its standing and application in the broader healthcare realm.
In Closing. It’s important to remember that what has been presented here is just the beginning; the exploration of Osteopathic Systems Thinking (OST) is still in its infancy. As research in this realm continues, its viability and potential contributions to osteopathy will become clearer.”
References:
- Bertalanffy, Ludwig Von 2015. General system theory : foundations, development, applications. New York: Braziller.
- Hammond, Debora 2010. The science of synthesis : exploring the social implications of general systems theory. Boulder, Colo.: University Press Of Colorado.
- Maturana, Humberto R & Varela, Francisco J 1980. Autopoiesis and Cognition : the realization of the living. Dordrecht [Etc.]: Reidel Publishing Company.
- Meadows, Donella H. 2008. Thinking in systems: a Primer. White River Junction, Vermont: Chelsea Green Publishing.
- von Foerster, Heinz 2003. Cybernetics of Cybernetics. Understanding Understanding. , 283–286. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-21722-3_13.
- WHO 2010. Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy. World Health Organization.
