Episode 14: Does Treating the Whole Person Mean Treating the Whole Body?

Does Treating the Whole Person Mean Treating the Whole Body?

Treating the whole person is fundamental to osteopathic thinking. But does that mean we need to treat the whole body?

In this episode of The LXO Podcast, Jamie explores the tension between whole-body approaches such as the Body Adjustment and more selective osteopathic treatment. Drawing on his experience working with John Wernham, teaching classical osteopathy and studying the methods of A.T. Still, he considers body unity, adaptation, compensation and self-regulation.

How broadly should we assess? Does everything we find need treating? How much does the osteopath need to change and how much can we allow the patient to do for themselves?

Rather than arguing for whole-body or focused treatment, this episode asks a more useful question: what wider relationships do we need to understand and which of those actually need something from us?

This may well be Part One of a much bigger conversation.