Unwinding Bone

Discover biodynamic skeletal therapy (BST) with guidance direct from its creator.

Unwinding Bone is a comprehensive, practical resource on biodynamic skeletal therapy (BST)—a gentle, non-manipulative approach that engages with bone as dynamic, responsive tissue. Rather than focusing on the movement of bones, BST emphasizes the movements within them, helping practitioners identify and treat bones that have lost their natural elasticity and vitality and preparing the skeletal system for further manual treatment.

Author Scott Sternthal, DO, the developer of BST, breaks down complex concepts into clear, practical information in this hands-on guide for physiotherapists, manual therapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and bodywork professionals.

The first half outlines the theoretical foundations of BST, reviewing skeletal anatomy and composition, including bone development, remodeling, and mechanical behavior. Explore the continuity between bone and fascia—the osseofascial continuum—as well as the key concepts of texture, drive, and rhythm, including biotensegrity and fulcrum-lever systems.

The second half moves into the practical application of BST. Sternthal provides step-by-step procedures for finding and treating osseofascial compactions in nearly every bone throughout the body. More than 500 photos bring the techniques to life, making this an unparalleled resource for both new and experienced practitioners.

Unwinding Bone is your hands-on guide to understanding and treating the quality and texture of bone tissue.

Audience

Manual and myofascial therapists, including massage therapists, craniosacral therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths.

Chapter 1. Silence

Chapter 2. Stillness

Chapter 3. Sensing

Chapter 4. Osseofascia
Bone Anatomy
Bone Composition and Behavior
Bone Development and Remodeling
Bone, Stress, and Strain
Osseofascial Continuum
Osseofascial Compactions

Chapter 5. The Pelvic Gather

Chapter 6. A Wilderness of Surprises

Chapter 7. Some Things Happen Only Once

Chapter 8. Texture, Drive, and Rhythm
Biotensegrity and the Osseofascial Continuum
Sharpey’s Fibers and Osseofascial Tissue Continuity
Potency
Fulcrums and Fulcrum-Lever Systems
Primary Respiration

Chapter 9. Doubt

Chapter 10. Water

Chapter 11. Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy
A Brief History of Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy
The Principles of Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy
Six Stages of Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy Treatment
Sensing Primary Respiration

Chapter 12. Trust

Chapter 13. Steven’s Jaw

Chapter 14. How to Test and Treat Bones
Touch-Testing
Two Phases of Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy Treatment: Local and Regional
Frequently Asked Questions

Chapter 15. Process and Results

Chapter 16. Jerry’s Shoulder

Chapter 17. Bones and Regions
Quick Guide to the Six Stages of Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy Treatment
Forefoot
Midfoot
Hindfoot
Lower Extremity
Pelvis
Lumbar Spine
Thorax
Hand and Wrist
Upper Extremity
Cervical Spine
Cranium
Sensing Your Primary Respiration II
Regional Treatment
Balancing the Three Spheres

Chapter 18. Martha’s Cranium

Chapter 19. Sensing II

Chapter 20. Gut, Brain, and Bone
The Gut-Brain-Bone Axis and Biodynamic Skeletal Therapy
Bone Supporting the Gut-Brain Axis through Bony Landmarks
Bone Impacting the Brain through an Afferent Loop

Chapter 21. The Perfect Technique

Chapter 22. The Breath of Life

Chapter 23. Listen

Epilogue. Let Us Compare Meteorologies

Scott Sternthal, DO, is a Canadian osteopath, writer, and teacher. He is the founder of Le Collectif d’Ostéopathie, a multidisciplinary clinic in Westmount, Quebec, and the developer of biodynamic skeletal therapy (BST). Sternthal teaches BST to myofascial and manual therapists worldwide at conferences, clinics, and workshops. His BST Level 1 course is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) in the United States and the Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) in Canada. He will introduce the BST Level 2 course in September 2025. He is also the self-published author of Melting Bone, Healing Tide.

“Scott Sternthal has done manual therapy a service by getting his hands around the fascial structure within the bone. We are familiar with interosseous strain but have mostly ignored intraosseous and intrachondral strain patterning. By employing the principles of biodynamic osteopathy, this book shows how to unwind the fascial ‘leather’ in bone that remodels the scaffolding for the calcium apatite.”
—Tom Myers, Author of Anatomy Trains

About the book