The Midline in Osteopathy – A Balancing Act between Structure and Spirituality
Item
- Title
- The Midline in Osteopathy – A Balancing Act between Structure and Spirituality
- Author(s)
- Dunshirn Monika
- Abstract
-
This study discusses the following questions: what exactly do osteopaths mean when
they say they work with the midline? Does a generally validated definition of the
osteopathic midline exist, and is it possible to describe the midline scientifically as a
phenomenon at all? What significance do terms like structure and spirituality have
for the midline?
These issues are researched by means of a qualitative approach and focussed
interviews are used as investigative tools. Seven experienced osteopaths who have
expert knowledge of midline osteopathy were interviewed. The analysis of the
interviews revealed different possible approaches.
For this reason, the results of the interviews were structured in five sections:
embryological approach, structural approach, functional approach, spiritual
approach, and psychotherapeutic approach.
Midline osteopathy seems to have no confined concept; it rather seems to be an
individually formed method depending on the osteopath involved. The interview
partners agree that open-mindedness, impartiality, critical self-reflection, and
profound anatomical knowledge are basic requirements for an osteopath working
with this concept.
The analysis was hampered by the fact that no standardised, precise definitions of
terms exist; a common language has yet to be found.
Keywords:
Midline, qualitative study, embryology, notochord (Chorda dorsalis), coccyxethmoid,
fulcrum, spirituality, stillness, long tide - presented at
- Wiener Schule für Osteopathie
- Date Accepted
- 2007
- Date Submitted
- 1.3.2007 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 12857
- Inst-Identifier
- 781
- Keywords
- Notochord,Fulcrum,Spirituality,Midline
- Recommended
- 0
- Medium
- Dunshirn_engl.pdf
- Item sets
- Thesis
- Media
- Dunshirn_engl.pdf
Dunshirn Monika, “The Midline in Osteopathy – A Balancing Act between Structure and Spirituality”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 5, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/3035