Art Description
The idea behind this haiku was to share my experience treating a patient with osteopathic manipulative treatment, specifically an occipital-atlantal(OA) release. This technique helps to relieve tension at the base of the skull and neck, along with reducing headaches, neck pain and balancing out the autonomic system. I choose to write about this simple technique because of its powerful versatility in restoring the body to its normal resting state. There is the patient experience being treated with OMT but as an osteopath providing the treatment, I have a unique experience. It is present and intertwined with the patient’s experience. I wanted to create visual comparisons for the journey of an osteopathic treatment from beginning to end.
Artist: Shivani Kamal, SOMA
Shivani Kamal is a third-year osteopathic medical student at ATSOMA, originally from San Francisco. She views human health in a holistic manner and appreciates how the complexity of human anatomy can be art itself. Shivani’s goal is to maintain this mindset with every patient encounter and always be open to how connected things are.