The Path Of Least Resistance
Our bodies are made up of layers and layers of adaptations and compensations which are the result of a wide range of stresses and strains we put on ourselves. These stresses and strains can come in physical and/or emotional forms and it is the way in which we as a mind, body, and spirit try to find some resemblance of balance between ourselves and our internal and external environment. All of this together is what shapes us in this very moment and this is how we are balanced in this very moment, and this means that the body is doing exactly what needs to be done. This is a difficult idea to grasp particularly if we are suffering from pain or a condition but even in these situations the body is trying it’s best to adapt and find balance even if it feels like the balance is wrong. With Osteopathic treatment, one of the aims is to assist the body in finding a better balance that will allow the body to function the way it is supposed to.
The path of least resistance refers to several things:
In relation to illness, the weakest link in the chain is going to be the one that reacts to stress (emotional and/or physical). A weak link can be a structural imbalance causing too much strain on a joint, causing the muscles around it to work harder to stabilise. This “restricted” joint will impact the flow of blood and in turn the nerves. It could also be a from memory of a trauma and the body reacts by holding an area under tension, this tension will again affect the structural balance, nerves and blood supply.
In relation to treatment, there is the principle of using the stronger to build the weaker. This is important to coordinate the body and bring balance gently.
Another element of treatment in relation to restricted movements of tissues whether bone, fascia, organs etc is to bring the joint into a position of ease i.e. no resistance, this position is not the neutral position but the neutral for that particular tissue, and then to use breathing to facilitate the unwinding of the tissue back to it’s normal position.
The body is constantly listening and adapting to every sensory input we receive and there is a constant flux between balanced and unbalanced. The fluctuations and flows occurs in all of nature. If we can keep the ebbs and flows nice and calm, then that is a good balance.