About Osteopathy
© Library of Congress
"The body has a powerful ability to heal itself; our job is to help facilitate that process." A.T. Still
Osteopathy is a form of hands-on, alternative medicine discovered in the mid-1870s by Andrew Taylor (A.T.) Still in the United States of America. ​
Osteopathy is based on 4 basic principles
The Body is a Unit
The individual is a unit of body, mind, and spirit. No single part exists independently. When a part of the body does not function optimally, the entire person is affected.
The Body is a Self-Healing Mechanism
The body is capable of self-healing and self-regulation. It is always working to maintain a state of balanced function.​​
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The Rule of the Artery is Supreme
This principle refers to the importance of arteriovenous circulation, stating that all life needs nutrition, drainage of toxins and waste products, and communication for optimum health.​
Structure and Function are Interrelated
A.T. Still described the body as being like a machine. It has interrelated parts that need to be in the proper position and to move correctly for optimal function.