Psychosomatic Osteopathy in Trauma using the example of bifocal integration

Abstract

Traumatic psychoemotional experiences often manifest in hypersympathetic states of excitement or in immobilization and withdrawal behaviors. A person with this kind of traumatic background may present with an autonomic response consistently maintained in the defensive state, which over time becomes a stressor. Similarly, stress associated with dysfunctional somaenergy-inner experience patterns that may occur during osteopathic treatment may be related to symptoms and complaints of the patient. In this article, the authors discuss an osteopathic approach to psychoemotional trauma and somatic-emotional dysfunctions by means of psychosomatic osteopathy using the example of multimodal bifocal integration (MBI), with an emphasis on promoting a relaxed body and mind by actively involving the patient in the healing process. They briefl y discuss the role of mind-body therapies in treatment, considering other neuropsychophysiological frameworks. The authors also focus on clinical practice, introducing the reader to the different elements of the osteopathic treatment, including the acknowledgement and integration of top-down and bottom-up dynamics in diagnosis and therapy.