Structure and Function are Interrelated

THE FIRST CONCEPT OF OSTEOPATHY

Andrew Taylor Still, the first osteopath taught Structure and Function are interrelated. 

He understood this based on what he felt under his hands and from endless anatomical dissections. The anatomy guides medical practitioners, to a greater or lesser extent (as the knowledge of anatomy varies among medical specialty and individual physicians) as they try to cure disease and restore normalcy in the body.  Underlying the physical anatomy (structure) is THE MAP – the Organization - first laid down in embryology allowing the body to achieve its final perfection (or as close as possible) in the newborn and beyond.  

Structure follows Function in the developing embryo

Specifically, cell division and growth in the developing embryo follows 

neural development which occurs simultaneously with blood supply to that nerve 

resulting in cell growth forming tissues forming final structures.

In the developing embryo the structure forms because of the function, the delivery of blood and nutrients to cells so they may multiply along this embryological map (our blueprint).  

The embryologist Eric Blechschmidt (1904-1992) was really the first to determine this specific Organization – the map of our unfolding. > Blechschmidt Collection

Blechschmidt determined forces are generated from within and from without the developing embryo.  He referred to this forces as Biodynamic Forces.  

These biodynamic forces exert along specific axis of Organization. 

These axes create a map which we utilize throughout life to manifest our own Health.  Disease results when the map is compromised or lost.

Once born, the map is then expressed through our structure.  

The osteopath first treats the axes of Organization and then, if necessary, 

specific structure to optimize the patient’s ability to function.

In embryological development:

Structure follows function.

The “midline” develops because of the function of a bioelectric effect through the ball of stem cells. Subsequent structure develops from the function of increased access to nutrition through the development of nerves and blood supply along biodynamic forces through specific parts of the embryo around specific axes.

Once born the model flips:

Function follows structure.

You “blow out” a vertebral disc (structure) which compresses a spinal nerve (structure) which causes pain affecting your ability to function.

In this way: Structure and Function are interrelated.

Health is dependent on both structure – the anatomy; 

and our first function 

the embryological map by which we unfolded

all being intact.

Adult function – physiology – improves when the above relationships are optimized.   

Our embryological unfolding follows this first map of Health along individual axis of Organization facilitating the progress and Organization from one cell to 27 trillion, each fulfilling its specific purpose, all getting to exactly where they need to be. In Health, regardless of age, we continue to have the possibility of access to this Organization first laid down in embryology.