Advanced search

Search results      


A Comparative Study of the Heart as a Fulcrum in Relation to the Central Chain and the Ancient Wisdom of the Pervuvian Healers

Journal: Unpublished D.O. thesis Swiss International College of Osteopathy, Date: 2019/5, Pages: 259, type of study: qualitative study

Free full text   (https://www.ostlib.de/up/datei/friesecke_daniela_thesis.pdf)

Keywords:

heart [109]
continuity of the body [1]
central chain [1]
Andean healing [1]
spirit [37]
holism [14]
holistic treatment [4]
Peruvian culture [1]
osteopathic manipulative treatment [2973]
OMT [2951]
central organisation [1]
midline [6]
thesis [34]
qualitative study [209]
DO thesis [2]

Abstract:

Osteopathy`s founder, A.T. Still, lived several years with the Shawnee Indians. He not only became acquainted with their traditions but also learned their healing methods and incorporated them in his own thinking. His basic understanding of human nature included its connection with nature and the creating forces, ideas common to native-American thinking. Based on these roots, he developed osteopathy in line with a holistic concept of man, where body, mind and spirit are part of the whole. A similar perspective prevails among the native people of Peru, who still live according to ancient traditions and regard natural healing as a sacred process. Osteopathy’s holistic foundation and the Peruvian healing tradition have significant similarities, which were the incentive for this research. The aim of this qualitative research study was to analyse the significance of the heart on different levels of perception and knowledge, especially concerning the importance of the heart within the concept of the central chain for osteopathy and to compare it with the ancient wisdom of the Peruvian healing tradition. Method: An analysis of osteopathic literature was performed, highlighting the functions and the connections of the heart and the pericardium on different levels of the body by different authors. The information obtained was compared with literature from other scientific fields, exploring and comparing the different aspects of medicine: anatomy, embryology, neurology, osteopathy, and Western humanistic and Peruvian literature to find overlaps and discrepancies and their relevance for osteopathic thinking, training and healing. In addition to the review of literature, 13 osteopaths from different countries who each had more than 10 years’ experience and seven authentic Peruvian healers from different Peruvian regions were interviewed using problem-centered interviews. The latter were contacted through personal visits and direct interaction to learn and acknowledge their wisdom, to gain deeper insight, and to add validity and authenticity to the research. Results: Both osteopaths and traditional Peruvian healers recognize the physiological function of the heart supplying the whole body with blood and oxygen. On that level, osteopaths are more concerned with the heart’s autonomy and its relation to the tissues and fascia in itself and its neighbouring structures. Both osteopaths and Peruvian healers regard the heart as the center of the body, of life and of positive feelings, like love and compassion, and both see it as the center of the person himself. For traditional healers, it has even more pronounced spiritual aspects, such as the bridge between man and nature as well as between man and divinity. Osteopaths and Peruvian healers both recognize the heart as an energy center and see its holistic function in the personality of an individual. An underlying idea of structural continuity of body and mind exists in osteopathic thinking, which became clear through the interviews with the osteopathic experts concerning traditional osteopathic treatment. The concept of the central chain with the heart as a main fulcrum could add structure to this idea and by that incorporate some of the wisdom of traditional healers who indeed profit from the experience of generations and their spiritual knowledge. Conclusion: This study therefore shows an intensive and inspiring correlation of osteopathic treatment and Andean healing, which could further serve the osteopathic community to deepen the understanding of the holistic significance of the heart in relation to the person and thereby better help osteopathic patients


Search results      

 
 
 






  • ImpressumLegal noticeDatenschutz


ostlib.de/data_rnatydspzcjuwevxqfhb



Supported by

OSTLIB recommends