Before relatingmy own experiences with urine- therapy, it is advisable to quote some opinions derived from both ancient and modern sources as to the value of urine as a curative agent. Towards the beginning of last century, a book entitled One ‘Tho,v “”d Notable Things’ was published sim’ata- neously in , -,’ Scotland and Ireland. ” An universal and excellent remedy for all distempers inward and outward drink you own water in the morning nine days together and it cures the scurvy, makes the body lightsome and cheerful. “It is good against the dropsy and jaundice, drun., as before (stated). ” Wash your ears with it warm and it is good against deafness, noises and most other ailments in the ears. ” Wash your eyes with your own water and it cures sore eyes and clears and strengthens the sight. “Wash and rub your hands with it and it takes away numbness, chaps and sores and makes the joints limber.
Month: March 2015
Osteopathy: Growth of Osteopathy
Dr Andrew Tailer Still, the founder of osteopathy, was a man endowed with imagination, rare vision and perseverance. He was born on August 6, 1828, to a simple, hardy German farmer who was a physician by training and a missionary by choice. His mother Martha, was Scottish. Andrew was born in a remote village in Virginia, U.S.A . He was sturdy and strong and lived close to nature. He was fond of watching different animals. He would catch hares and squirrels and dissect them to find out the type of organs they had.
Osteopathy: What part do nerves play in the symptom of a disease? Using bones as a leverage, how can one influence them? What role do arteries and veins play in the cure of a disease?
Dr.Still concluded that blood supply could be normalised a great deal by manipulative manoeuvres which relaxed the muscles and thus affected the free flow of blood. He declared, ‘The rule of the artery is supreme’. He was sure that the free flow of blood played a great role in overcoming disease.
Dr Still’s fame spread gradually. At no time, however, did he think his discovery to be complete. With the co-operation of his sons and doctors who were attracted towards his science, he founded a new branch of medical treatment which came to be known as Osteopathic Medicine. Dr Still planned to open a college of osteopathy. Assistance came in an astonishing way. Dr William Smith of Edinburgh, Scotland, was so impressed by Dr.Still that he offered to stay and teach anatomy in exchange for lessons in manipulative movements. The college at Kirksville, Missouri, opened in November 1892, and was given legal recognition.
Osteopathy: Nucleus Pulposus
This is a soft , gelatinous, mucoid material at birth. It lies almost in the centre of the intervertebral joint. But as age advances, the anterior part of the body of the vertebra grows much faster than the posterior part. Hence it ultimately lies strictly behind the centre. It forms a cushion between the vertebrae. There is a resultant compression which exerts evenly distributed hydrostatic pressure. The pressure within the nucleus is considerable.
The disc can be damaged by direct or indirect trauma. If the disc is healthy, it would need to be hit by a considerable force to be damaged. Even an impact enough to damage the body of a vertebra is not sufficient to damage a healthy disc. It has been calculated that a normal adult disc can withstand a compression force of 545 kg per square inch before rupturing , while less than 450 kg of pressure is enough to damage the vertebral body. In normal weight bearing, when a person is standing or sitting, the compression force is 45 kg.
Osteopathy: Curves of the Spine, Intervertebral Joints and Intervertebral Discs
The spine is not straight. If it is viewed from a side, four curves can be seen:
The cervical curve which is convex forward.
The thoracic curve which is convex forward. The upper part may have a slight lateral curvature directed towards the right side in a right-handed person and the left side in a left-handed person.
The lumbar curve is convex forward. It is more pronounced in females than males. It extends from the lower thoracic vertebra to the lumbo-sacral angle.It is larger than the upper two.
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Osteopathy: Understanding the Spine
It is very important to know the structure and functions of the spine before we begin to understand the cause of pain and what actually happens during manipulation. We must be familiar with the preventive methods and precautions we should take after the pain has gone so that we may not suffer from it again.
Understanding and becoming familiar with the anatomy or the structure of the human body is imperative to understand pathology or the disease process. Then only can we think of a remedy or treatment. Let us examine what our aim in manipulation is, and how these measures help to keep us healthy. Somebody has compared the human spine to a sitar and an osteopath to the maestro who plays the sitar. To learn the sitar, to master it, to produce new ragas, calls for a deep understanding and years of devoted practice.
Osteopathy: Posterior Joints
From a strictly anatomical point of view the posterior joints of the spine are the true joints of the spine. The extent and the variety of movements depends on the shape and direction of the facet joints. They determine the extent of movement and direction of a particular segment. These facet joints are covered by a dense articular capsule which is quite elastic. thin and loose. They are attached just beyond the margins of the articular facets, and are larger and looser in the cervical than in the thoracic and lumbar spine.
Osteopathy: Ligaments
The spine consists of a series of joints which are united from the second cervical to the first sacral by a number of ligaments. The vertebral bodies are united by anterior and posterior ligaments, and the posterior series of facet joints and neural arches are united by the ligamentum flavum. The function of these and other ligaments is to hold the bone together and yet allow some calculated movements.
The ligaments are elastic structures with an elastic limit. They remain healthy with intermittent stretching. Ligaments can be torn in two ways: sudden force and uninterrupted prolonged moderate stretching. This is why intermitted traction is more physiological than continuous sustained traction.
Osteopathy: Selecting the Right Bed for Correct Posture
While selecting a bed due importance should be given to posture and spinal anatomy. Most people are not aware of these considerations. In fact, with affluence and luxurious living, things are changing for the worse rather than the better. Cotton mattresses are being replaced by foam mattresses. The thickness and number of pillows used by an individual are increasing. Springs are often added beneath these foam mattresses. A comfortable bed is considered to be one into which you sink in. Is that correct? Very definitely not!
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Osteopathy: Adopting the Correct Posture
‘My bed is so cosy, nice and soft,. When I sleep I sink into it, I am in adreamland and I feel wonderful and so fresh in the morning. I love my bed, it is so dear to me.’ ‘Disgusting!’ said the osteopath.
‘I have never played any game in my life. When I was young I entertained myself with novels and movies, or kept myself busy with my course books; I was a bookworm. When I got married, I hardly had my chance to participate in games. My house is well equipped with modern gadgets and amenities so that I hardly exert myself physically.’ ‘Frustrating!’ said the osteopath.