In this episode, Classical Osteopathy – What’s the Difference, we explore how classical osteopathy views the body not as a collection of parts, but as a continuously organising, adaptive system.Rather than focusing on isolated symptoms or structural faults, this approach considers how the body maintains balance under constant forces such as gravity, movement, and internal pressure. It reframes familiar concepts like “lesions” as meaningful adaptations—local expressions of how the whole system has reorganised to sustain function.The discussion moves through key ideas including whole-body coordination, the role of rhythm, the interaction between structural tension and internal pressure, and how patterns of strain develop over time. It also examines how treatment shifts from correction to supporting the body’s own capacity to redistribute load and restore efficiency.This episode offers a clear introduction to the principles that distinguish classical osteopathy from more reductionist approaches, highlighting a model based on organisation, adaptation, and whole-body integration rather than isolated dysfunction.

In this episode, we pick up the story with the so-called “No Physiology” incident — a myth that has long clouded the relationship between Still and Littlejohn.We follow Littlejohn’s departure from the American School of Osteopathy, setting up the school in Chicago, his return to England, the founding of the British School of Osteopathy, and the struggles he faced until his death.Finally, we explore how changes to the curriculum after his passing led to the formation of the Institute of Classical Osteopathy — to preserve what was in danger of being lost.

“A Frontier Mind and A Scholar’s Cause: Still and Littlejohn”Why did A.T. Still reject the medicine of his time and create a radical new approach to health?And who was John Martin Littlejohn — the brilliant Scottish scholar whose convictions would carry osteopathy into the academic world?In this episode of ICO Why We Exist, Robert Cartwright traces Still’s frontier upbringing, profound personal losses, and deep trust in nature that led to the discovery of osteopathy, before introducing Littlejohn: a man of rigorous principle and intellect whose early life set the stage for osteopathy’s evolution.

This is a podcast with Dr Maria Coffman about her book titled "Booby Traps" with Pindy Cummins and Marika Javbrett from the Institute of Classical Osteopathy. We're very pleased that Maria is a guest for an ICO webinar where she goes through more of the physiology in her book on Weds February 12th at 7.30pm UK time, here is the booking link for ICO members; https://www.tickettailor.com/events/instituteofclassicalosteopathy/1522336 and here is the link for non members; https://www.tickettailor.com/events/instituteofclassicalosteopathy/1510044 This fascinating and important book examines what happens to your insides with a bra strapped to your outside? Booby Traps, A Book of Bras, Breasts, and Bands weaves a never-before-seen look at underthings. Follow an osteopathic physician as she guides an adventure from the history of modern bra-wearing to how to choose the best bra for the job. Surprise! Nature is often best. Browse tips for choosing the best bra for the occasion (you wouldn't wear your prom shoes to run a marathon) and healthy ideas for alternative, bra-free first layers. Discover how to reduce restrictive clothing and still feel polished in public. Dr. Coffman shares her decades of experience observing everyday women and everyday bras. Through a skilled and intuitive lens, she describes the effects of restrictive bands on a woman's bones, heart, lungs, breathing, mental state, and even pressure on the pelvic floor. Along the way, explore interactive instructions to help you determine what fits and why using healthy parameters of breathing, heart function, physical mobility, and energy flow. Finish with self-care exercises to improve your whole health including your breasts. Booby Traps, A Book of Bras, Breasts, and Bands illuminates the undercover world of clothing to help you choose your best health. For more information about the Institute of Classical Osteopathy please visit our website at www.classical-osteopathy.org

Hi, this episode describes why passive treatment or input is still relevant for people who are described as suffering from chronic pain with central sensitisation. It is based on a research article I wrote and was published in the Institute of Classical Osteopathy 2018 Yearbook, in which you can find other excellent articles.

Hi, this isn't a new podcast, I recorded this with Chris Campbell probably about a year ago and it is on the ICO YouTube channel. However, there was some recent conversation about current osteopathic standards of education verses the earlier education, and this webinar is a window into the standards of the day, see what you think. It also discusses the early arguments about general treatment verses specific treatment, when general treatment wasn't specific and when it was. This then leads into JM Littlejohn's approach to treating someone with what was called "neurasthenia" which is akin to ME or CFS.

A short video cast about the upcoming conference

Today Diego and I sat with Alex while he talked about seasonal colds and flu and their relevance to health, what to do when one arrives and how we can stay healthy through winter. Nature Cure and Natural Hygiene looks at symptoms and relates them to what our bodies are trying to achieve at that point in time, it aims to help support these processes as they are natural cleaning and healing processes. These natural healing processes and principles are part of osteopathy as what AT Still called “the bodies own medicine chest” and not a different healing art so it is important we study and understand them as events that naturally occur during our patients recovery process.

This is the Osteopathic Alliance statement about UCO and BCNO Group News outlining their changes in strategy which will involve undergrad education and wide range of changes to osteopathy in the UK and my comments and opinion. I also talk about the Osteopathic Itch. If you would like further information about the Institute of Classical Osteopathy please go to our website which is www.classical-osteopathy.org Or come to our conference at Denbie’s Vineyard near Dorking in Surrey on March 16th and 17th 2024 where we will be celebrating our 70th anniversary, information and tickets are also on our website at www.classical-osteopathy.org.

Hello all, this is an interview with long-term ICO lecturer Hendrik Vlek. Hendrik is an incredible osteopath with a fantastic knowledge and specialises in the lymphatic system. Today I did a short interview with him talking about the lymphatic system and the workshop he is running on 2nd and 3rd December 2023 at the Littlejohn Centre in Dublin. We are really looking forward to it, for booking details please go to www.classical-osteopathy.org