If stress is part of the individual's life, then the presence in the spine of such areas, and they are the rule rather than the exception, will cause over-reaction, in a chronic manner and the end result will be that the target organ or system will become abnormal in its function. In the fullness of time this, unchecked, will result in damage and dysfunction of the affected organ and disturbance of the entire body economy.

Osteopathic methods enable practitioners to speedily identify such 'facilitated' or lesioned segments, Osteopathic manipulation of the spine and soft tissues (e.g. neuro-muscular technique) can often normalize these areas, but in chronic cases only limited improvement may be possible.

All controllable factors in, and around, any ill person should be the concern of whoever is treating them. This should take account of the whole life style and personality of the individual. After balancing the obvious factors (sleep, relaxation, exercise, diet, etc. ) there still remains the normalizing of the biomechanical component of the body, the musculo-skeletal system in general and the spine in particular. Stress can be seen in this light to cause, and perpetuate, dysfunction and disease, in direct proportion to the individual's unique make-up, both mental and physical. Osteopathy presents the opportunity to intervene by helping to normalize the very structures which 'organize' the effects of stress on the body. This, together with counselling regarding emotional stress, and encouragement towards correct diet, and relaxation and meditation exercises, will help to minimize the effect of stress, and provide a comprehensive, non-drug approach, to this universal problem.