The embryological perspective in traditional Osteopathy

By Sylvia Orozco Silberman DO

Written for Creative Healing for Youth in Pain

Osteopathic medicine was always intended to be a philosophical perspective from which the wholeness of the body is held sacred.

With pediatric chronic pain- how has the wholeness been disrupted? How has the expression of Health been affected or influenced by trauma? Why can’t the body find synchrony in its innate ability to be resilient. How do we synchronize the wholeness of its entire function. 

The wholeness of the body is not a sum of its parts, but rather its function as a whole. It is not simply in the bloodwork, supplements, structural anatomy and so forth. But rather in its function as a whole. 

For example, the brain is made up of billions of neurons—individually, each neuron just sends electrical signals. These cells, in isolation, don't "think" or "feel." But when connected in complex networks, something extraordinary emerges: consciousness, emotions, self-awareness, creativity.

The study of embryology is of profound importance in traditional osteopathy. Embryology is the study of prenatal development from conception to fetal stages. The concept of wholeness is witnessed in the embryological development of a fetus. The wholeness is appreciated in the developmental processes of growth that takes place in the uterus. Those who delve into this lifelong study, soon begin to understand that there is still so much we may not have the awareness to fully appreciate its true magnificence. 

At conception, when a sperm fertilizes an egg, a spark ignites a cascade of wonderment. Embryology is not simply that we shake a bag of chemicals and an organ is made. If that were true we’d be cooking full term babies in Petri dishes by now.

Rather, embryology has shown that there is actually first a heart beat, then there is the formation of the heart. 

Let me repeat- there is first a force, a function! Then there is a structure formed around its function. 

Mind blowing. 

Can we begin to reframe how we view the body and understand that we have structures formed around natural forces in the body. So, if the forces predetermine the structures- then in order to treat the root of dysfunction, we need to address the natural forces that made us. 

If a pediatric patient had traumatic interruptions during the pregnancy, birth, childhood or dental procedures- the fulcrum from which the wholeness is expressed is compromised and therefore the nervous system begins to compensate around the barriers. These compensations overwhelm the system and lead to pediatric pain presentations. In an ideal natural world- physiological functions are supported and respected and if there is some trauma the body has resilience to accommodate, process and express health unscathed. But in our very modern and hyper-interventional society we are disrupting natural processes and the body becomes overwhelmed and loses its capacity to heal and come forth after a trauma. 

What a profound shift in conceptualization of the human existence. Human health and function.

Embryological forces determine the structure from which our wholeness is expressed. 

How do we improve how the wholeness of how the body is functioning, thriving? How do we support the body’s unwinding from trauma. 

How do we appreciate the embryological forces? 

The very forces that made us. 

This is Osteopathy as Dr. A.T. Still intended to be imbedded in osteopathic medicine.

In embryology, we learn that the head bows down towards the heart as it’s big brain is being made. And due to the lack of room in the abdomen the gut gets made outside of the body then twists and turns as the spine grows vertically, and the gut comes back into the abdominal cavity. What Intelligence! What magnificence is this body! Flowing through its own dance and novel choreography through the fluids to create a body. 

This minute glimpse into the curiosities of the embryological forces— should be an invitation into the unknown magnificence of our living bodies. 

There is an older osteopath that used to say, “I am still a developing fetus”. She was in her 90s at the time. 

The potential of the body’s capacity to transform and find function, is in actuality an expression of its Health. Its function as a whole. Its limitless potential to be resilient.

I intend to leave the reader with wonderment and hope for the Potential of our being. 

The hope and potential for our children to be in function with their wholeness and optimal expression of Health. 

Few osteopaths, like myself, still pursue the study of embryology and wholeness. 

A remarkable medicine for pediatric patients with chronic pain to heal and thrive. 

Resources:

1. Blechschmidt, E., & Gasser, R.F. (2012). Biokinetics and Biodynamics of Human Differentiation: Principles and Applications

2. Conrad, E. (2007). Life on Land: The Story of Continuum, the World-Renowned Self-Discovery and Movement Method. 

3. Gintis, B. (2007). Engaging the Movement of Life: Exploring Health and Embodiment Through Osteopathy and Continuum.