People often assume that because I am a staunch advocate for scientific principles — a stickler for anatomy, physiology, and mechanics (i.e. physics) — my practice must be devoid of spiritual connection. On the other hand, many believe that osteopathic craniosacral therapy is pure "energy work," dismissing it as unscientific woo. But the irony is that these two perspectives are not opposites; they are one and the same.
Let me explain.
For me, both science and spirit are essential, and that is precisely why I love osteopathy. It is the artful blending of both—where rigorous anatomical knowledge meets profound energetic awareness. True osteopathic practice demands an intricate understanding of micro-movements within joints and tissues, the biomechanics of the body, and the physiology of healing. But the real magic happens in the intention behind each technique.
The precise application of force, the direction of motion, the pressure used—these are scientific. But the ability to feel subtle shifts in tissue, to listen with one’s hands, to facilitate healing by attuning to the body's rhythms—this is a deeply spiritual act.
Science is the framework, and spirit is the access point. The two are not in conflict; they are inseparable.
Yet, the equine world seems divided.
There are those who believe only in what can be measured, observed, and quantified. And there are those who believe true healing exists solely in the unseen, the intuitive, the energetic. But the truth is, effective work with horses demands a commitment to both.
Spiritual practice is about presence, gratitude, and releasing expectations—principles that also make osteopathy so potent.
It requires complete immersion in the moment, a deep humility to let the body lead, and the self-awareness to ensure the practitioner brings no personal agenda into the space.
We do not impose change upon the body; we simply offer it an avenue to communicate—through hands, through energy, through touch.
At its core, everything is energy. Every cell in the body is derived from atoms, the smallest units of life, each carrying an energetic charge. Whether working with a tangible structure, like a muscle, or something less visible, like fluid dynamics, we are always working within the body's natural energetic field.
The art lies in blending scientific precision with spiritual receptivity to create truly effective practice.
I am tired of the assumption that my dedication to science negates my spiritual connection to my work. I am equally tired of the notion that because I honor the unseen aspects of healing, I must be abandoning scientific principles.
They are not at odds—they are two halves of the same whole, each incomplete without the other.
This is what holistic practice means to me. Science acknowledges the physical, structural, and environmental forces acting on the horse. Spirit allows us to access the body in a way that invites healing, rather than imposing it.
True transformation happens at the fulcrum where these forces meet—where knowledge meets intuition, where structure meets energy, where science meets spirit.
They are not binary. They need each other. And in my work, they exist as one.
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