Nonlineopathy, pronounced non-linn-ee-OP-ath-ee, is a new technical term defined by Simon J. Rees ND in 2019, utilised as a part of Living Systems Medicine. It refers to the application of nonlinear tools (“Nonlineo-“) to illness (“-pathy”) or to systemic problems in any type of system (including society) that are causing suffering (pathos).
“Nonlinear” is far more exciting than it sounds. It is a term from systems science, used to describe how an apparently small input, if given in the right place and at the right moment in a cycle, can lead to a disproportionately large outcome for the system. Nonlineopathy emphasises such inputs because this is how we can achieve “more bang for our buck”, or, in other words, help a self-managing living system to better overall lasting health with the smallest possible inputs.
Why would we want to prefer small inputs? Well, it is well-known that large or strong inputs have a multitude of side effects in living systems. These arise due to properties of living systems as defined in LSM; namely, because living systems intelligently self-manage and therefore respond dynamically to all inputs.
Using a nonlinear approach (“The Nonlinear Path”, as Simon calls it) can be thought of as looking for “the tide that lifts all boats”. We are always looking for those nodes in the network which have the greatest impact on the whole network. In living systems this includes an emphasis on The 5 Key Organ Systems.
The term nonlineopathy also refers indirectly, in part, to the history of “homeopathy” and “allopathy” which were the two competing types of mainstream medicine recognised during parts of the nineteenth century. “Homeopathy” means using something similar to the disease (as a “hormesis” stimulus to the system to help it overcome the problem), whereas “allopathy” (conventional medicine) means using something counter to the disease (e.g. an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation). The introduction of the term “nonlineopathy” defines a new, third approach to medicine which is not the same as the other two.
This marks an historic moment in the development of medicine.
Think of it as “the third way”. Instead of defining our therapeutic inputs based on what is either similar to or counter to the disease state, nonlineopathy defines therapeutic inputs based on what is a nonlinear approach – showing a preference for nonlinear inputs.