Mechanical Link Fundamental Principles,

Mechanical Link: Fundamental Principles, Theory, and Practice Following an Osteopathic Approach is the first book published in English on the Mechanical Link manual therapy system developed by French osteopath Paul Chauffour. Chauffour and his protege, fellow osteopath Eric Prat, present a comprehensive guide that includes the philosophy behind the system's development along with a thorough explanation of its principles and benefits in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Book jacket.

Paul Chauffour, D.O., adjunct director of the International College of Osteopathy at St. Etienne, France, is one of the most influential and renowned osteopaths in Europe. He is a pioneer in the field of Mechanical Link, and the author of two books: Osteopathy of the Inferior Limbs and The Osteopathic Mechanical Link. In addition, he has taught at the European School of Osteopathy at Maidstone, England, and at the Faculty of Medicine in Paris North, Department of Osteopathy and Manual Medicine in Paris, France.

List of Figures

xv

Foreword

xix

Introduction

xxi

A Brief History of Osteopathy

xxiii

Embryology and Histology of Connective Tissue

1

(8)

The Importance of a Review of Embryology

1

(1)

The Mesoblast as a Link

1

(2)

The Mechanical Similarity of All Connective Tissues

3

(5)

The Mechanical Link

8

(1)

Anatomy of the Fasciae

9

(14)

The Superficial Fasciae

10

(5)

The Deep Fasciae

15

(4)

The Dura Mater Fasciae

19

(2)

The Superficialis Fasciae

21

(2)

Osteopathic Lesions

23

(8)

Genesis of an Osteopathic Lesion

24

(2)

Etiology of the Osteopathic Lesion

26

(1)

The Individual Osteopathic Lesion

27

(1)

The Total Osteopathic Lesion

28

(1)

The Primary Lesion

28

(3)

Posture and Postural Expression

31

(4)

The Posture

31

(1)

Postural Expression

31

(1)

Visual Examination

32

(1)

Evaluation

33

(2)

The Tests

35

(8)

The Determination of an Osteopathic Lesion

35

(1)

Examination Protocol

36

(5)

Tests and More Tests

41

(2)

The Recoil

43

(12)

Choice of Technique

43

(1)

Principles and Advantages of the Recoil

44

(2)

The Recoil---Phase One

46

(2)

The Recoil---Phase Two

48

(1)

The Recoil---Phase Three

48

(1)

The Recoil---Phase Four

49

(1)

The Experimental Phases of the Recoil

50

(1)

Further Work on the Different Phases of the Recoil

51

(1)

The Action Modes of the Recoil

52

(3)

The Spinal Unit

55

(14)

Global Examination

55

(5)

Treatment Protocol

60

(2)

Particular Situations in Treatment of the Spinal Unit

62

(5)

Summary---Working Principles

67

(2)

The Thoracic Unit

69

(6)

The Different Parts---Shell or Armor?

69

(3)

Diagnosis and Treatment

72

(3)

The Extremities As a Functional Unit

75

(12)

General Examination of the Extremities

76

(1)

The Individual Articular Lesion

77

(3)

Lesions of the Long Bones

80

(2)

The Articular Diastasis Lesion

82

(2)

Symptomatic Lesions ``Not to Treat''

84

(1)

Symptomatic Lesions ``To Treat''

84

(3)

The Unit of the Intraosseous Line of Force

87

(14)

The Human Body---From Biomechanics to Tectonic Architecture

87

(3)

The Physiology of the Bones

90

(1)

Working with the Intraosseous Lines of Force

91

(6)

Examination and Treatment Protocol

97

(1)

A Particular Case---Blockage of a Cranial Ossification Center

98

(1)

``Arthropath'' or Osteopath?

98

(3)

The Visceral Unit

101

(18)

A Return to the Basics

101

(1)

Examination Protocol

101

(17)

The Viscerocutaneous Depressions

102

(3)

The Digestive Tract

105

(1)

The Buccal Floor

105

(1)

The Pharynx

105

(1)

The Cervical Esophagus

105

(1)

The Thoracic Esophagus

105

(1)

The Abdominal Esophagus

105

(1)

The Cardia

106

(1)

The Fundus

106

(1)

The Body of the Stomach

106

(1)

The Diaphragm

106

(1)

The Gall Bladder

107

(1)

The Duodenum

108

(1)

The Jejunum and the Ileum

108

(1)

The Ileocecal Valve

108

(1)

The Vermiform Appendix

108

(1)

The Large Intestine

109

(1)

The Pelvic Girdle

109

(1)

The Inguinal Ligament

110

(1)

The External Obturator Membrane

110

(1)

The Internal Obturator Membrane

110

(1)

The Pelvic Diaphragm

111

(1)

The Genital Sphere

111

(1)

The Uterus

111

(2)

The Prostate

113

(1)

The Urinary Tract

113

(1)

The Bladder

113

(1)

The Kidneys

113

(1)

The Abdominal Organs

114

(1)

The Pancreas

114

(1)

The Spleen

114

(1)

The Liver

114

(1)

The Respiratory System

115

(1)

The Larynx

115

(1)

The Trachea

115

(1)

The Bronchial Tubes

115

(1)

The Lungs

116

(1)

Fasciae Related to the Respiratory System

116

(1)

The Cardiac System

117

(1)

The Broncodiaphragmatic Membrane

117

(1)

The Pericardium

117

(1)

Quantity and Quality

118

(1)

The Vascular Unit

119

(12)

A History of the Heart

119

(1)

The Osteopathic Lesion of the Artery

120

(1)

The Importance of the Artery in the Osteopathic Concept

121

(1)

The Biomechanical Role of the Artery

122

(2)

The Arterial System and the Venous System

124

(1)

The Arterial System and the Muscular System

124

(1)

The Arterial System and the Peripheral Nervous System

125

(1)

The Arterial System and the Autonomic Nervous System

125

(1)

The ``Vascular Organs''

126

(1)

The Arterial Lesion and the Traumatic Sequelae

127

(1)

Osteopathy and Prevention of Vascular Alterations

128

(1)

The Treatment

128

(1)

The Sovereignty of the Artery

129

(2)

The Cephalic Unit

131

(16)

Starting from Cranial Osteopathy

131

(1)

Developing Mechanical Link of the Cephalic Unit

132

(2)

The Three Floors of the Cephalic Unit

134

(4)

The Dura Mater System

138

(1)

The Temporomandibular Module

139

(1)

The Teeth

140

(1)

The Maxillofacial Skeleton

141

(1)

The Cavities of the Osseous Head

142

(1)

The Cranial Sutures

143

(1)

The Cranial Ossification Centers

144

(1)

The Intraosseous Lines of Force of the Cephalic Unit

145

(1)

Treatment Protocol

146

(1)

The Dermis Unit

147

(6)

The Cutaneous Lesion

147

(2)

Scars as Fixations

149

(1)

Protocol

150

(2)

The Treatment

152

(1)

Modalities and Particular Perspectives

153

(12)

The Directed Treatment

153

(1)

Targeting

154

(2)

Bombarding

156

(1)

Working with Pregnant Women

157

(2)

Working with Infants

159

(1)

The Anti-Tobacco Treatment

160

(1)

Working with Animals

161

(1)

Treatment and Self-Treatment of the Fascial Link

161

(4)

The Energetic Approach

165

(8)

Mechanical or Energetic Vision?

165

(1)

The Concept of Energy in Osteopathy

165

(1)

Sources of Errors in Different Approaches

166

(1)

The Different Energetic Territories

167

(1)

Modifications in Osteopathic Lesion Patterns and Energetic Rhythms

168

(1)

The Energetic Approach of Mechanical Link

168

(1)

The Recoil Technique and Energetic Action

169

(1)

Osteopathy and Homeopathy

170

(1)

Osteopathy and Acupuncture

171

(1)

The Structure as an Energetic Support

172

(1)

Conclusion

173

(2)

Bibliography

175

(2)

Index

177

(2)

About the Authors

179

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Mechanical Link Fundamental Principles, Theory, and Practice Following an Osteopathic Approach

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials