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