Session #3: Philosophy of Osteopathic Medicine

Question 1

osteopathic philosophy

Answer 1

living organisms have unity of their structure and function. Considers multiple systems when treating the patient. Aims to establish and maintain health, and prevent and alleviate disease.

Question 2

how was osteopathic medicine taught in the beginning?

Answer 2

A.T. Still never wrote his own book

Hazzard (DO) wrote a book about techniques and credited them to Still

Question 3

principle

Answer 3

a fundamental truth that others depend on

Question 4

philosophy

Answer 4

questioning about the nature of things based on logical reasoning

Question 5

precept

Answer 5

general instruction or rule for action

Question 6

tenet

Answer 6

a doctrine or principle that’s held by a group or person

Question 7

what is emphasized in osteopathic learning?

Answer 7

Wanted people to understand the mechanism, not just memorize an array of techniques (like “engine wipers” would do)
Wanted students to picture normal anatomy in their heads when treating sick patients
Wanted students to know a lot of facts and do their own reasoning

Question 8

4 main tenets of osteopathic philosophy

Answer 8

1. the human is a unit, the person is a whole with their body, mind and spirit (example: fascia surrounds all muscles and organs)
2. structure related to function (example: interstitial pneumonia leads to decreased gas exchange, clinical issues affect structure)
3. self-healing, self-regulation (example: neck receptors monitoring BP, immune system and healing)
4. rational treatment is based on previous principles (recognize the somatic component of the disease, then treat with manipulation)

Question 9

what year did A.T. Still announce his philosophy?

Answer 9

1874, then started using manipulation techniques 5 years later

Question 10

corollary principles of osteopathic philosophy

Answer 10

1. if normal adaptability disrupted or environmental changes overcome the body’s capacity for self-maintenance, disease may ensue
2. movement of body fluids essential for maintenance of health (ex. arteries carry nutrients and wastes)
3. the nervous system plays a crucial part in controlling the body (autonomic NS influences vascular changes)
4. some somatic symptoms of the disease are symptoms but also contribute to the disease state

Question 11

somatic dysfunction definition

Answer 11

an impaired or altered function of the somatic (body framework) system: skeletal, arthrodial, myofascial structures, and related vascular, lympathic and neural elements
can be identified by palpation (and compared to adjacent parts) and movement testing (seeing which directions have free or restricted movement)
use TART to find physical signs of somatic dysfunction

Question 12

divisions of the body into 3 parts

Answer 12

chest: head, neck, chest, abdomen, and pelvis
upper limb: head, neck, lower and upper arm and hand
lower limbs: foot, leg, thigh, pelvis and lumbar vertebra