What is Osteopathy

The founder of Osteopathy was an American doctor named Andrew Taylor Still.  He developed this form of therapy in the late 1800’s, opening the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri. His view of the body was that all structures within are connected. He believed our body works as one continuous unit, in which all its parts affect each other.

Using his model, this means that every system in the body will affect the function of another. If there is stress due to injury or disease in any area, it may produce negative effects far reaching to the body's other systems.  These effects could take the form of pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion and poor tissue health, to name a few. In the case of more severe dysfunction, degenerative conditions may result, if this strain remains unresolved.

Dr. Still devised a manual method of evaluating and treating the body, to see where these areas of stress may be and how to prioritize them. A careful examination of the body globally, therefore, is necessary. The main area of concern the client is seeking support with, is always the focus, but it may include addressing other areas. This approach will address all areas of strain as well as the original presenting complaint. 

An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner uses their hands as their assessment tool. Observations are made throughout the evaluation using a variety of tests to gather information. With that knowledge in hand, a treatment plan is formulated. Each session will reflect this traditional way of Manual Osteopathy treatment that Dr. Still has passed down to this present day.