Risch Andreas.pdf - Osteopathic Research

Critical Reflection/Perspectives/Conclusion
It is impossible not to use metaphors in the conversation about health. Recent
research methods of cognitive linguistics (Lakoff/Johnson, 1980) are considering
metaphors as an important tool for generating meaning and understanding of
abstract contents.
By highlighting and hiding certain aspects metaphors create only a partial
understanding of reality. They demonstrate at the same time however a selective
character by allowing a differentiated point of view.
Osteopaths show a high grade of metaphorization (3.9%) when they talk about health
indicating a wide spectrum of experience. This also shows in the use of their
metaphoric concepts. Metaphoric concepts help to better articulate and demonstrate
practical experience and relations in osteopathy. Ultimately health itself in my opinion
seems to become a metaphor for the values of osteopathy by focusing on a
salutogenetic point of view.
A strong emphasis on biomechanic or technical aspects like in most osteopathic
education and training programs could not be identified. Difficulties in the integration
of individual, subjective experience and professional osteopathic understanding as
well as deficits in intra- and interdisciplinary communication and between osteopath
and patient especially without awareness of the osteopathic language itself lead to
conflicts and confusion within osteopathy. This impedes in my opinion the process of
developing an unified professional identity.
The results of this metaphor analysis as a new method for qualitative research in
osteopathy are promising and should encourage further investigations about the
function of language and communication in osteopathy. This could lead to new
insights into fundamental osteopathic concepts and to a further development of the
osteopathic profession.
Key Words
Health, Metaphor, Metaphor Analysis, Osteopathy, Osteopathic Concepts