What is Biodynamic Osteopathy?
by Mark Aquino BMUS, RMT, DOMP, DSCO
click here to find out more about Mark
Biodynamic osteopathy is an extension of the cranial osteopathic system which uses
the inherent motion of the embryological forces of development to effect change
anywhere in the body. It focuses on whole body health to find a new point of balance
for well-being and may lead to discovering the underlying sources of health concerns.
In Biodynamic Osteopathy, the practitioner’s hands use gentle techniques to engage
the natural indwelling therapeutic forces in the body to assist the body’s own
mechanism to heal.
Some of the benefits:
- Release of stress
- Decrease in tension
- Reduction of restriction
- Ease of discomfort
- Return to balance
- Restore health
- Improve function
- Rest
Issues that can be helped.
- Anxiety,Back, Bladder, Concussions, Constipation, Cranial Injury, Dental, Digestion,
Ear, Falls, Foot, Headaches, Hip, Jaw, Knee , Migraines, Neck, Posture, Pregnancy,
Scars, Sciatica, Shoulder, Sports Injuries, Strains, Sprains, Surgery:Pre/Post, Trauma
and Urinary.
Practitioners of Biodynamic Osteopathy have spent considerable time and effort to
train in this methodology. This mode of treatment furthers the work of Dr. William
Sutherland DO, who developed Cranial Osteopathy.
Biodynamic Osteopathy was developed in the 1980’s by Dr. James Jealous DO, one of
the prominent Osteopaths of our day. Dr. Jealous began studying with the leading
osteopaths of the prior generation early in his career and deeply researched the
approaches to health and healing he was exposed to. Biodynamic Osteopathy is
taught exclusively through a series of international post-graduate seminars that take
many years to complete.
Dr. Jealous discovered pertinent findings in the writings of Dr. Sutherland and
embryologist Dr Erich Blechschmidt MD. Over time, he determined that the same
biological forces which guide the development of the embryo can be accessed to
promote health and healing.
As explained by Marc E. Rosen DO: “Erich Blechschmidt MD, independently provided
significant contributions to the field of osteopathy. Dr. Blechschmidt carefully observed
the cells of the developing embryo and noted that as the embryo grew and changed
shape, the cells would appear to migrate (move from one location to another) as they
differentiate (change from one form into another), to ultimately become the structures
of the adult organism. Dr. Blechschmidt used the term “Biodynamics” to describe
these movements of “metabolic fields” in the developing embryo. He felt that these
dynamic fields of activity seemed to arise from the very geometry of the cellular
foundations of life and produced distinct patterns of movement. These patterns of
metabolic field motion within the developing embryo (described by Blechschmidt)
appear to be identical to the movement patterns observed and described by Dr
Sutherland in the process of Osteopathic Treatment.”
In this way the generative forces that guide the development of the embryo are the
same forces that become the regenerative agents for health and healing. The
therapeutic motion Biodynamic osteopathic practitioners sense are all expressions of
this primal force, which created and continue to sustain us.
What to expect during a treatment?
It is best to wear comfortable clothing. A session involves a detailed health history,
assessment of posture, movement and present state of health to create a picture of
how the body is working. To be able to help you the most, the goal is to understand the
origin of the issue, it’s context in your life and how you got to where you are. Often past
incidents, current lifestyle, and/or trauma you may not have thought of, can be relevant
to the symptoms you are experiencing.
Once we have created this understanding of your state of health, we can begin the very
subtle osteopathic treatment process. You simply lie down and allow your body to rest
while the practitioner gently palpates the body to help rebalance distortions in the
different components of the connective tissue systems.
The session ends with a discussion of the findings and a plan for addressing your
issues. You are welcome to ask as many questions as you like; your understanding of
the process is an important component of your healing process and return to health.
Typically, initial and follow up appointments are 1 hour, sometimes longer if you wish.
As an average, 4-6 appointments are best with a few weeks in-between.