2024 marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the creation of osteopathy by revolutionary American doctor, Andrew Taylor Still. In 1874 Dr Still founded osteopathy, an innovative approach to healthcare which emphasised the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Now, 150 years later, we celebrate this milestone anniversary and explore the profound impact of osteopathy on health and wellness.
The Birth of Osteopathy
Dr Andrew Taylor Still was a Civil War-era physician disillusioned with the limitations of conventional medicine. After losing his wife and three children to illness, Still became focussed on why some people could heal from illness and injury, where others could not. He embarked on a quest to develop a more holistic and patient-centred approach to healing. Drawing upon his deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, and the body’s natural mechanisms, Dr Still conceived osteopathy – a system of healthcare founded on the principles that the body is a unified whole and that optimal health depends on the harmonious functioning of its various systems. At the end of the American Civil War in 1874, Still set up and was the founder of the American School of Osteopathy (now A.T. Still University), the world’s first osteopathic medical school, in Kirksville, Missouri.
“To find health is the mission of the doctor—anyone can find disease.”
– A.T.Still
At the heart of osteopathy are several core principles which guide its philosophy and practice:
- The Body is a Unit: Osteopathy views the body as an integrated whole, where each part is interconnected and influences the function of the entire organism. This holistic perspective highlights the importance of addressing underlying imbalances and dysfunctions to promote overall health and wellness.
- The Body Has Self-Healing Mechanisms: Osteopathy recognises the body’s inherent ability to heal itself given the right conditions. Osteopathic treatment aims to support and enhance these natural healing processes by removing barriers to health and optimising the body’s self-regulatory mechanisms.
- Structure and Function are Interrelated: Osteopathy emphasises the intimate relationship between the structure and function of the body. Dysfunction or misalignment in one area can disrupt the body’s physiological processes and lead to symptoms elsewhere. Osteopathic treatment seeks to restore balance and alignment to promote optimal function and health.
- The Rule of the Artery is Supreme: Dr Still famously proclaimed that “the rule of the artery is supreme,” highlighting the importance of maintaining blood flow for health and vitality. Osteopathic techniques aim to improve circulation, reduce restrictions, and enhance the body’s ability to nourish and heal itself.
Celebrating Osteopathy’s Contributions to Healthcare:
Over the past 150 years, osteopathy has made significant contributions to the field of healthcare, earning recognition and respect for its effectiveness in treating a wide range of conditions. Osteopaths undergo rigorous training that encompasses both conventional medical education and osteopathic principles and techniques. Today, osteopaths are valued members of the healthcare community, providing comprehensive, patient-centred care to individuals of all ages and backgrounds.
Osteopathy’s holistic approach to healthcare has resonated with patients seeking alternatives to conventional medicine, offering a safe, gentle, and non-invasive option for addressing a variety of health concerns. Osteopathy offers a diverse toolkit of manual techniques, therapeutic interventions, and lifestyle recommendations to support healing and promote wellness.
A lot has changed since A.T. Still’s time, with significant developments in our knowledge and understanding of how the human body works. At North Beds Osteopaths, we strive to maintain the key principles of osteopathy and preventive healthcare, whilst embracing the latest research and the importance of modern medicine.
To find out more about how osteopathy can help you, get in touch with our friendly and caring team – we’re here to support your wellbeing.
North Beds Osteopaths