In the fast-paced nature of the world today, quick fixes and speedy solutions are often sought after. This idea has permeated the area of health and can overshadow the importance of the ‘process’ of healing. This rush is detrimental to humans and just as detrimental to animals, for whom rapid recovery is often demanded and the time and patience for the body to heal on its own terms is sometimes not granted the importance it deserves. As osteopaths, understanding that healing lies in embracing an individual’s natural processes and rhythms is part of the core principles of osteopathy.

Osteopathy recognises the body’s inherent capacity for self-healing and self-regulation and understands that healing is a natural process that follows natural laws in order to return to a state of balance and vitality. The process of adaption and change (allostasis and homeostasis) takes the time it takes and is governed by its own pace. Trying to rush this process is akin to rushing the contractor who is building the foundations for the house that you want to stand strong for the next 50 years. Not a good idea!

Dr. Still’s statement, “Osteopathy is an expression of natural law in human form not framed by human hands,” emphasises the dynamic nature of health. The body’s innate intelligence, influenced by the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, constantly adapts and changes in response to internal and external demands. Any imbalance in any part will influence the whole. There are rhythms, systems, communications, forces, and processes at play, and all of this has incredible wisdom to it.

The process of healing is influenced by a multitude of factors – stress; nutrition; sleep; the ability to move or not move; the current state of health (comorbidities, pre-existing conditions or compromised immune system); age; environmental conditions; weight and genetics – all with the ability to greatly influence allostatic load and the body’s ability to heal. Healing also requires significant energy and resources to dedicate towards repair. Additionally, the severity of the condition or injury will also play a role. Just as a mild muscle strain heals faster than a ligament tear, so too will the healing process vary based on the severity and complexity of the issue and all overarching influencing factors.

While we cannot control the animal’s intrinsic healing process, osteopaths can optimise it by working with the inherent health and removing any barriers to health.

In part 2, we will consider how osteopaths work with the individual animal’s self-healing, self-regulatory process.