Duncan Soule, M.D. - Osteopathy, Homeopathy and Core Energetics in Portland, Oregon

OSTEOPATHY

What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a gentle hands-on treatment that powerfully mobilizes your body's inherent healing capacities. It was developed by Andrew Taylor Still, an American physician of the Civil War era. Dr. Still realized that structure and function in our bodies are reciprocally interdependent. He recognized the presence of an intelligent life force within each of us which is self-regulatory and self-healing. He understood that health is expressed as freedom of motion in all the tissues and fluids of the body. In osteopathy, the role of the physician is to listen carefully to the body and assist the inherent healing capacity using gentle palpatory skills.

What are its applications?
Osteopathic treatment provides relief of pain and stiffness caused by trauma or disease. It restores motion and improves circulation to affected parts. It is very effective for back and neck strain, sciatica, tendinitis and other soft tissue injuries throughout the body as well as for restriction and congestion following acute or chronic illnesses.

What is cranial osteopathy?
Dr. Soule specializes in the practice of cranial osteopathy, which was developed by William G. Sutherland, D.O. Dr. Sutherland discovered a subtle fluctuation in the cranium (and throughout the body) which expresses the vibrancy and health of a person. Alterations in this natural fluctuation provide important clues to the observant physician, who then applies gentle manipulative techniques to help the body restore its healthy functioning. This approach can be applied to any part of the body. It is particularly useful in the treatment of headaches, head injury, facial pain, sinusitis, vertigo, TMJ dysfunction, earache, and tinnitus.

What are the treatments like?
An osteopathic treatment is generally performed with you lying comfortably on your back. The physician's hands are placed gently under your spine, head and affected parts, and a gentle manipulation is applied. Treatment sessions typically last 20–30 minutes, and are generally relaxing. By stimulating your own self-healing capacity, osteopathic treatment has the power to restore optimal health and well-being within you.