Basic Concepts
The osteopathic profession subscribes to the following tenets:
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
- Illness is often caused by mechanical impediments to normal flow of body fluids and nerve activity.
- The body is a unit, and the person represents a combination of body, mind and spirit.
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- The human body is a dynamic unit of function.
These points could be summarized by saying, "Dysfunctional structures result in impairment of normal function". For example,
- Hypertonic muscles may result in increased tension within the pelvic musculature that may result in a loss of the normal range of motion, pain, and/or discomfort.
- Muscle spasm, that is a consequence of guarding due to pain, may result in a loss of the normal range of motion, pain, and/or discomfort.
- Abnormal reflex activity, originating in the lower intestinal tract, may result in increased tension within the pelvic musculature that may result in a loss of the normal range of motion, pain, and/or discomfort.
- Abnormal reflex activity, originating in the pelvic musculature, may result in dysfunction in the descending colon and pelvic organs.
- Restriction of the normal range of motion of the thoracic cage and the thoracoabdominal diaphragm during inspiration and expiration may result in diminished oxygen exchange, decreased motility within the bowels, and reduced lymphatic drainage.
- Diminished return of lymphatic fluid to the venous system may result in edema and contribute to pulmonary congestion.
