The osteopath, a healer Art therapy Osteopathy is an approach to healthcare which emphasizes the role of the musculoskeletal systems in or the art of healing health and disease. An osteopath could be considered The old adage says that a picture is worth a thou- as someone who regulates the internal workings of sand words. Art therapy, a form of psychothera- the body, a little like regulating a clock. py, uses artistic creation to encourage personal growth or, in other words, the healing of an There is no need for tools in this profession as individual. osteopaths simply use their hands to establish a diag- nosis and to give a treatment. By resorting to mobility Drawing, painting, sculpture, handicrafts; every tests and different types of palpations, they can evalu- means is valid in the attempt to get in touch with ate the shape, the volume, the consistency, the tension our inner selves. Art therapy encourages this heal- or the position of certain bodily structures. Osteopathy ing process by stirring thought, imagination and is a holistic manual therapy, the aim of which is to intuition. With links to the more traditional verbal treat many different ailments, including digestive, therapy, this alternative medicine also leads to the neurological, vascular, hormonal or musculoskeletal creation of works of art. Artistic ability is not problems. In other words, osteopathy is at the same required as the creative process, including the time an art, a philosophy as well as a science, which is works produced, is considered more for its thera- not interested in just one symptom or one illness, but peutic effect than its aesthetic qualities. in the patient as a whole. In this way, the artwork becomes a catalyst which Osteopathy can help relieve several ailments, includ- Osteopathy can help to relieve several ailments, helps the subject to externalize their feelings. ing back pain and certain symptoms related to asth- as well as facilitating the recovery The artwork is likely to open exploratory paths ma, as well as facilitating the recovery of a patient of a patient after surgery. (Photo FP) leading to deeper personal awareness. A little after surgery. like dreams, which are a sort of gateway into the harmony within their patients’ bodies. They will also give subconscious, therapeutic art increases the prob- Defenders of osteopathy consider that physical and psy- advice on hygiene, rest, exercise, diet and posture or any ability of uncovering underlying problems which chological ills resonate throughout the body. As poor other factor which could influence the physical, psychic can then be dealt with during the therapy. posture, accidents, stress or negative thinking can disrupt or social well-being of their patients. In short, they regu- the entire organism, osteopaths work to re-establish late the internal workings of our bodies. There are many advantages to this therapeutic approach, which is also a form of communication more accessible to some people. For example, those individuals who have difficulty expressing Aromatherapy, a natural themselves, who tend to rationalize too much or who have reached a dead end in traditional ther- apy will be more comfortable with art therapy. source of well-being! Creative activity can also contribute to reducing anxiety, stress or negative thinking. It is therefore An integral part of naturopathy, aromatherapy is a science and an art which uses a therapy which can be beneficial for anyone the aroma of plants as a tool for good health. faced with physical, emotional, spiritual or intel- lectual difficulties. For thousands of years, essential oils have been used on an ongoing basis in cooking, medicine and perfumes as well as in the cosmetic industry. At the end of the 19th century, the first pages of aromatherapy’s modern history started to be written when the ability of these oils to neutralize certain bacteria was scientif- ically proved. Since then, these oils have been used to treat ailments such as coughs, headaches, sinusitis, asthma and digestive problems. They are also credited with having a benefi- cial effect on a psychological level, notably to counteract anxiety and insomnia. Valued for their numerous virtues - whether antibacterial, antiseptic, slimming, cleansing, tranquilizing, regenerative or invigorating - essential oils are always beneficial to our well-being. Although they can be used alone, essential oils are often used in combinations to allow an individual to obtain the greatest benefit. But before playing the role of alchemist, it’s important to use your olfactory senses as these oils are not always compatible. Our sense of smell is often the first sense to be aroused and aromatherapy provides a profusion of scents which can be used, depending on our whim, to recreate a certain atmos- phere or promote a receptive state in which to re-establish our global health. Using essential oils, each one possessing specific, Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy beneficial properties, is a little like absorbing using artistic creativity in a process nature into our skins. (Photo FP) of personal transformation. Page 22, March-April 2010, TOOLBOX All of the images in this issue are available in colour and in black and white..