Kauai Osteopathic Services with doctor of Osteopathy, Lisa R. Chun

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Lisa R. Chun, D.O.

Inspiration Article, September/October 2003 issue

What is Osteopathy?
By Dr. Lisa Chun
Inspiration Magazine/Sept-Oct 2003

As an osteopathic physician utilizing Cranial Osteopathy, I am frequently asked: "What is Osteopathy? What is Cranial Osteopathy?"

Osteopaths, practitioners of osteopathic medicine, are fully licensed physicians and surgeons who are authorized to prescribe medications and utilize the full compliment of medicine and surgery. While attending their own medical schools, osteopaths receive instruction in Osteopathic Manipulation in addition to what is traditionally taught in allopathic (MD) medical schools. However, Osteopathy incorporates behavioral, clinical, physical, spiritual, and biologic knowledge. As a result, many osteopaths are knowledgeable not only of the various medical and surgical fields, but also many are open to and skilled in various other health and healing modalities-nutrition, oriental medicine, acupuncture, etc. This gives it a "holistic" standing-a bridge between the conventional and complimentary health fields. Osteopathy has become a specialty.

Andrew Taylor Still, MD founded the osteopathic profession during the late 1800s with the belief that the body has an innate and natural healing ability. He observed the Natural world and the Natural workings of the human body. His observation of anatomy played an integral part and it is from here that the term "Osteopathy" came to be. The word stems from the densest part of the human body, the bone.

Osteopathic Manipulation recognizes that your physical body can manifest a state of disease. There is an understanding that you are a complex being and that past events and traumas can register as signatures or patterns in your body. For example, a colic condition in the newborn may exist because of irritation of some of the cranial nerves caused by an imbalance and compression of the skull that occurred during the birth process. Back pain may be caused by a stressed compensatory pattern from an old injury or from an acute condition. Asthma can be exacerbated by restriction of the ribcage, let alone smoking or exposure to inhaled irritants. The list goes on.

I should mention that Osteopathic Manipulation has some similarities to other manipulation and physical medicine modalities. There are stretches and exercises similar to yoga, physical therapy, and strength training. Breath becomes important. Some techniques are similar to massage or the joint mobilization associated with chiropractic adjustments. The goal is to help "normalize" your body so that pain is decreased, optimal function is attained, and healing can occur. I've used and seen it used intra-operatively, in the recovery room, intensive care unit, during labor and delivery, in the emergency room, and in the clinics. Your body's ability to recover and heal is truly amazing!

Cranial Osteopathy is a form of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine that was first used in the 1930s. Though first introduced during medical school, advanced study is an ongoing process that takes many years. It is extremely gentle, yet very powerful and effective. Cranial Osteopathy is a system that recognizes that movement and rhythms exist throughout your body, including the head and face. Joints exist in your skull and face that allow these movements. These are the same joints that allow for accommodation and compensation for trauma and disease patterns.

At first, many cranial osteopaths were criticized and labeled "quacks." Now with the use of surgical and anatomical observation, as well as high-tech diagnostic equipment, many concur that not only do these motions and rhythms exist in the head and face but that they are central to the function and health of the body. One perspective is that Cranial Osteopathy helps to incorporate the head and its contents into a hands-on form of healing, helping to integrate the mind, body, and spirit.

Why would you make an appointment with such a doctor? What can it help? As with other forms of Osteopathic Manipulation, Cranial Osteopathy can be used for many different things. If you are in pain or ill health, it can be used in conjunction with other modalities, or by itself. Various aches and pain syndromes, after trauma or before and after surgery, respiratory conditions, certain infections, some learning disabilities, during pregnancy and after delivery, and muscle and bone complaints are a few of the things which may benefit from this science. Some come when no other method works. The goal is, again, to support your body's natural healing tendencies. If you want to improve your overall health, Osteopathy can bring you a greater sense of balance, peace, and well being.