The attitudes and perceptions of osteopaths to emotional release in relation to treatment.

Item

Title
The attitudes and perceptions of osteopaths to emotional release in relation to treatment.
Author(s)
Vincent, P
Abstract
Title The attitudes and perceptions of osteopaths in relation to treatment: a qualitative study Introduction The phenomenon of emotional release is described as well as the perceptions of osteopaths of how and why this phenomenon occurs. Osteopaths attitudes to this phenomenon and the types of patients more likely to experience this type of release are discussed, together with the treatment styles more likely to engender this type of release. An attempt was made to discover the correlations between practitioner and patient and the type of relationship that made this type of release possible. The aim of the study was to assess what the present attitude of osteopaths is and whether the education system adequately prepared the student for this occurrence in a clinical setting. Method The study was conducted using a custom built questionnaire, which was then followed up by interviews. The idea being that the questionnaire would narrow the field of information and provide clues as to the nature of the attitudes, this could then be followed up with more in depth questioning at the interview stage. All participants in the questionnaire were General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) approved and therefore met the criteria, all interviewees had volunteered through the questionnaire, and therefore were also prequalified. Results Osteopaths think that trust in the therapeutic relationship as well as a supportive clinical environment are paramount in allowing patients to let go enough to experience this type of release. Osteopaths see this type of release as something that occurs when the body is ready, and only the body decides whether consciously or unconsciously, when that readiness is likely to occur. However it does need certain criteria, such as the support and safety of the therapeutic relationship. It appears that, from the data, no patient is more likely than any other to experience emotional release however, according to osteopaths there appears to be a correlation between gender of the patient and likelihood with gender of the practitioner being incidental. Clinical management and the referral system were also explored, with most practitioners, in the absence of overt psychosis, treating the patient themselves, prior to referring. Prior training and life experience appear to contribute to the ability to deal with and therefore not avoid this type of release. Discussion The study is fundamentally flawed, in that participants all have an interest in the subject, otherwise they would not have completed the questionnaire in the first instance. Those volunteering demonstrated their interest by doing so, and thus the premise upon which the study was based could hardly be called random. However, putting this aside, attempts were made to include graduates from all schools, all ages and length of time since graduation and experience levels in emotional release. An observed (by the participants) reluctance on the part of their colleagues, to engage with the process of emotional release was discussed and it was felt that either lacking life experience or fear of the consequences was evident, however this was not explored directly, only as reported by the participants. Conclusion More research is needed in this area, as it is consistently noted by practitioners as a positive thing for a patient’s health, however they also believe strongly that it should not be sought, or coerced in any way and the body will decide when its ready to let go of the burden it is carrying, any attempt to push will be met with resistance in the first instance and in their view, a result that is “not very osteopathic”. However awareness of this type of release and its importance in progression of health should lead practitioners to a place of greater sensitivity and less fear.
presented at
European School of Osteopathy
Date Accepted
2014
Date Submitted
20.1.2015 16:43:40
Type
osteo_thesis
Language
English
Submitted by:
62
Pub-Identifier
15536
Inst-Identifier
1229
Keywords
Practitioner attitudes, Emotions, Attachment.
Recommended
0
Item sets
Thesis

Vincent, P, “The attitudes and perceptions of osteopaths to emotional release in relation to treatment.”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 4, 2025, https://www.osteopathicresearch.org/s/orw/item/628