Introduction
Drs. Becker, Fulford and Wales were each extraordinary osteopaths who served as inspirational guides to generations of practitioners. This collection of stories captures some of the precious and practical wisdom they imparted over the years.
Many of the stories tell about lives profoundly changed by the teaching they received while others reveal small pearls of wisdom that were gained. Some of the stories arise from a chance, one-time meeting with one of these teachers, while others are from people who knew them very well. Most of the stories come from experiences that occurred in exchanges shared one-on-one.
While the essence of osteopathy is taught hand-to-hand, there is also a long and deep tradition of osteopathic wisdom being imparted through the words and deeds of the teachers and elders of their day. There is so much to learn from their actions, thoughts, and beliefs.
This book of stories brings Drs. Becker, Fulford and Wales to life. It is a book you will wish to keep nearby to read over and over again for inspiration and guidance.
About Dr. Rachel Brooks
Dr. Brooks’ lifelong dedication to osteopathy began in 1975 when she met Rollin E. Becker, DO. He was a great practitioner and teacher of cranial osteopathy who had been a close student of Dr. William G. Sutherland, the founder of that osteopathic approach. She also had the opportunity to study closely with Anne L. Wales, DO, another close student of Dr. Sutherland’s.
Dr. Brooks teaches cranial osteopathic courses and served on the board of trustees of the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation for sixteen years. She teaches across the US and internationally and is sought for her personal and historical insights regarding the practice and foundations of osteopathic practice. Her current series of courses is titled, “The Power of Presence.”
Dr. Brooks has also undertaken many publication projects. In the 1980s, she assisted Anne Wales, DO in the editing of Teachings in the Science of Osteopathy by William G. Sutherland, DO, and she helped edit the second edition of Sutherland’s Contributions of Thought.
In 1997, she founded Stillness Press, LLC. Rachel E. Brooks, MD is the editor of these Stillness Press books: Life in Motion: The Osteopathic Vision of Rollin E. Becker, DO, The Stillness of Life: The Osteopathic Philosophy of Rollin E. Becker, DO, and Three Great Teachers of Osteopathy: Lessons We Learned from Drs. Becker, Fulford, and Wales
Dr. Rachel Brooks, MD, FCA, is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and completed her post-graduate work there in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She holds certifications as Diplomate - American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Diplomate - National Board of Medical Examiners. She currently practices physical medicine and rehabilitation at her private practice in Portland, OR, specializing in osteopathic manipulative medicine. She is a Fellow of the Osteopathic Cranial Academy, and a member of the American Academy of Osteopathy and the Osteopathic Cranial Academy.
Dr. Brooks has been involved in teaching cranial osteopathy since 1986. Her osteopathic journey began when she met Dr. Rollin E. Becker in 1975, just before she entered the University of Michigan Medical School. That first meeting with Dr. Becker inspired her to pursue the study and practice of osteopathy. After completing a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation in 1982, She began her private practice in osteopathy the following year. At that time, she had the opportunity to study for many years with Anne Wales, DO.
In addition to her teaching, she has undertaken several publication projects. She assisted Anne Wales, DO in the editing of Teachings in the Science of Osteopathy by William G. Sutherland, DO, and she helped edit the second edition of Sutherland's Contributions of Thought. Dr. Brooks is the editor of the Stillness Press books on the teachings of Rollin Becker: Life in Motion and The Stillness of Life.
Dr. Brooks was a member of the board of trustees of the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation, serving from 1988 through 2004. She continues to be sought worldwide for her personal and historical insights regarding the practice and foundations of Osteopathic practice.
Table of Contents
Introduction ........................................................... 1
The Teachers and the Stories .................................. 2
Share Your Story ..................................................... 5
Osteopathy and Osteopathy in the Cranial Field .... 6
Rollin E. Becker, DO ............................................ 13
Biography ............................................................... 15
Stories .................................................................... 18
Robert C. Fulford, DO .......................................... 81
Biography ............................................................... 83
Stories .................................................................... 86
Anne L. Wales, DO .............................................. 128
Biography .............................................................. 127
Stories ................................................................... 130
List of Contributors ................................................ 172
Books Cited ........................................................... 175
About the Editor: Rachel E. Brooks, MD ............... 176