Osteopathic Context

In the last blog, we looked at interpreting the meaning of the following passage by T.S. Eliot, commonly used within osteopathic circles. In this blog we look to connect the passage with osteopathic philosophy and understanding.

“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless;
Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity, 
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point,
There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.” 

― T.S. Eliot

“At the still point of the turning world.”

In animal osteopathy, the “still point” can be seen as the moment of balance and harmony within an animal’s body. Despite the constant physiological and biomechanical changes, there’s a point where the animal achieves equilibrium, which is crucial for its health and well-being. Also as an osteopath using inherent technique, the “still point” is a vital part of effective practical application of these treatment approaches.

“Neither flesh nor fleshless;”

As an osteopath, this line reflects the understanding that treatment is not just about the physical body (“flesh”) but also about the non-physical aspects, like the psychology of the animal, the flow of body fluids, energy, and the animal’s spirit or essence (“fleshless”).

“Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is,”

Osteopathic context reminds us that treatment is not just about rectifying a past condition or preventing a future one but about analysing and addressing the animal’s health in the present, in each moment they are with us to enable effective osteopathic treatment. The “dance” can be seen as the dynamic interplay of all body systems functioning in harmony.

“But neither arrest nor movement.”

This parallels the osteopathic understanding that health is not merely the absence of disease (“arrest”) nor constant change (“movement”) but a state of dynamic equilibrium. Further, it compounds the osteopathic understanding of the importance of homeostasis, viewed both on a whole body and cellular level and the impact this will have on all parts of the being.

“And do not call it fixity,”

Osteopathy facilitates the body’s ability to self-heal and self-regulate, not forcing it into a fixed state. Life requires the dynamic process of allostasis to enable the creation of homeostasis. Therefore, this line emphasises the importance of allowing the animal’s body to find its own balance.

“Where past and future are gathered.”

An an osteopath, I understand that this can relate to the holistic approach in animal osteopathy, where the practitioner considers the animal’s entire history and potential future. We understand that health is influenced by both past experiences and future conditions and aim to ameliorate the impact of the past and to work with preventative healthcare to inform the future.

“Neither movement from nor towards,”

This line reflects the osteopathic focus on the present state of the animal’s health, not just treating symptoms (movement from) or preventing issues (movement towards), but addressing the current balance and wellbeing. It is important to consider the past and future but to treat the hear and now the presentation of the animal at that moment in time, formed by all elements impacting and influencing it.

“Neither ascent nor decline.”

Osteopathy recognises that health is not a linear journey of improvement or deterioration but a continuous process of adaptation and self-regulation. It is our role to support the animal in this journey by removing obstacles that prevent their innate health from shining through.

“Except for the point, the still point,”

This emphasises the core goal of animal osteopathy: to help the animal find its point of balance or the ‘still point’ where optimal health is achieved.

“There would be no dance, and there is only the dance.”

In animal osteopathy, this could mean that without achieving a state of balance (the still point), the animal cannot experience the harmony of optimal health and potential (“the dance”). When balance is achieved, the animal lives in a state of optimal health, which is vital for life, homeostasis, functionality, and the well-being of the individual – the balance of the total lesion concept. This is everything: “There is only the dance.” Without the dace of allostasis creating homeostasis, the animal would not function, survive or thrive. For sustained life, for health, there is only the dance, the complex interplay of all systems in the body working in their intricate manner.

As can be seen, Eliot’s quote can be connected to animal osteopathy and underscores the practice’s aim to support the restoration of health and the maintenance of balance and harmony in the animal’s body, considering the interconnection of physical and non-physical aspects. The osteopath seeks to facilitate the animal’s natural capacity to find its ‘still point’ of health, recognising this as a dynamic and ever-changing state that reflects the animal’s interaction with its environment and its intrinsic regulatory processes.