History of Osteopathy

Manual medicine is likely the oldest form of human therapy and medicine, with ancient reliefs and drawings demonstrating various manipulative practices.

Imaging techniques have only become known in the most recent medical advancements and had to be compensated by purely clinical findings.

Osteopathy originated in the United States towards the end of the 19th century. The term "Osteopathy" refers to a medical diagnosis and treatment concept introduced and shaped by the American doctor Dr. Andrew Taylor Still (1828 – 1917).

Still defined four fundamental assumptions:

• The role of the artery is essential.

• The body is a functional unit.

• Function determines body structure and vice versa.

• The body has the ability for self-regulation.

In accordance with Still's basic assumptions, all body functions critically depend on the supply and disposal of the vascular and nervous systems. As a functional unit, the body tries to compensate for any deficiencies in supply.

Still believed that through self-healing mechanisms and self-regulation, the body is fundamentally capable of resolving disturbances and issues on its own. Healing from outside while maintaining these harmful influences and connections would not be possible, and osteopathy should activate and promote the body's self-healing powers.

In 1892, Andrew Still founded "The American School of Osteopathy" in Kirksville.

Other significant individuals in the history and development of osteopathy include the Scottish doctor John Martin Littlejohn (1867 – 1947), a student of Still's. He promoted the scientific recognition of osteopathy by transferring Still's primarily anatomical concept to physiological foundations. After his return to Europe in 1917, Littlejohn founded the "British School of Osteopathy" in London, where he practiced and taught until the end of his life.

Still’s student William Sutherland (1873 – 1954) expanded the osteopathic concept to the cranial area. This laid the foundations for cranial and craniosacral osteopathy. The American osteopath John Upledger developed this into an independent concept, craniosacral therapy.

Nowadays, osteopathy is a multi-year study program with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Current research and science, with new insights, promote the continuous development of this relatively young field of medicine. Many doctors and an increasing number of conventional medical sciences accept the principles and perspectives of osteopathy and collaborate within medical care for the benefit of patients.