History of Osteopathy

History of Osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded in the 19th century as the very first manual therapy. The founder, Andrew Taylor Still was a practicing Physician and licensed MD. Still was unsatisfied with the medical practices of the day and endeavored to change the mainstream medical approach. Still devoted the next 10 years to thoroughly studying human anatomy and developing a better way to treat disease.

After years of research and clinical observations, he came to the conclusion the musculoskeletal system had a strong influence over health and disease. He also acknowledged the body had all the tools it needed to maintain good health if encouraged correctly. These realisations led Still to develop a system of manual techniques based on correcting physical problems of the musculoskeletal system allowing the body to restore its health and balance and function more efficiently. He named the system developed Osteopathy or Osteopathic medicine.

Still emphasised the importance of treating the patient as a ‘whole’. No one system or part should be considered in isolation of the rest of the body. From these observations AT Still taught the philosophy of Osteopathy.