What Is Osteopathy?

Osteopathy is a form of medicine that focuses on total body health. It places an emphasis on preventive care. Osteopathy tries to limit the use of medication and instead places the focus on self-healing by lowering lifestyle risks.

History

• Osteopathy was started in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still, MD, who became discouraged by the 19th century medications that were being used and felt that preventive care would be more effective. He believed that the body had the power to heal itself and taught his patients how to prevent illness by lowering their risks of developing disease.

How It Works

• Osteopathic physicians evaluate the patient by looking at the health of the whole body to diagnose and treat the patient. Although they do prescribe medications, they look at the patient's lifestyle and make recommendations for changing behaviors that could be causing illness.

Manual Techniques

• Osteopathic physicians use manual techniques to help balance body systems. They use soft-tissue stretching, deep tactile pressure and joint manipulation to keep the nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems working properly.

Where To Find Osteopathy

• Osteopathic physicians, also known as Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine or D.O., often practice as primary care or family physicians. There are also osteopathic surgeons.

Training

• Osteopathic physicians train for 4 years at an osteopathy college. They then do an internship for 1 year or longer.