Risch Andreas.pdf - Osteopathic Research

which constitute medical theories (e.g. therapies) are not only guiding our possibilities
of action, e.g. therapeutic measures, but are also limiting them. Metaphors can
highlight certain aspects of therapy, but they can also hide other valuable therapeutic
possibilities through their constitutive theories.
„What are the concepts of health of German-speaking Osteopaths with academic
background?“ is the objective of this analysis of metaphors.
2 Definitions, Models and Paradigms for Health
In order to find the way in the labyrinth of information in health science research, it is
necessary to look at the most relevant definitions, models and paradigms currently
discussed of health and illness. Two major points of view seem to evolve with two
basic questions accordingly: „What makes us sick?“ and „What keeps us healthy?“.
The pathogenetic paradigm, which is primarily concerned with the diagnosis and
treatment of any kind of illness or disease is the foundation for most traditional,
classic or allopathic medical disciplines. The more recently developed salutogenetic
model places health in the spotlight and raises critical questions about the
philosophical, ethical and practical issues of traditional medicine. At the same time it
proposes a bio-psycho-social approach putting emphasis on preventive instead of
curative medicine. The Riemann-Thomann-model (2003) can be used as an example
for a salutogenetic point of view where fears can also lead to the development of
competencies. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of health it is also
necessary to consider subjective theories of health which can help the medical
professionals to better understand the patients.
3 Osteopathy and Health
Osteopathy is presented as a holistic, health-centered approach in the traditional
literature. S. Paulus (2007) looks at health in his article “Health: The Living Principle”
from the perspective of wholeness and quotes a series of statements about health in
the writings of A.T. Still, W.S. Sutherland, R. Becker and J. Jealous. S. Tyreman
(2010), a contemporary osteopath and scholar, is raising some academical questions