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What is Osteopathy?
Manual osteopaths focus on the musculoskeletal system, using hands-on techniques to treat various conditions. They aim to improve overall health by ensuring that the body's tissues, muscles, and joints are functioning optimally. When everything functions correctly, the body is able to heal.
Manual osteopathy utilizes hands-on techniques in combination with movement from the patient to aid in the body's natural healing process, emphasizing a non-invasive approach. Unlike osteopathic physicians (DOs), manual osteopaths do not diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medication, or perform surgery, focusing solely on non-invasive manual therapies.
Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, developed this approach to healthcare in the late 1800's. He emphasized the relationship between the body's structure and function, believing that many diseases stemmed from structural problems in the body and could be addressed by correcting these issues manually. Dissatisfied with conventional medical practices, he sought to create a system that harnessed the body's natural ability to heal itself.
He was also one of the first physicians to promote the idea the philosophy that physicians should focus on treating the root cause of disease rather than just the symptoms.
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