Osteopathy is a manual therapy that was developed over 130 years ago in the United States.  Andrew Taylor Still is the person who discovered it, motivated by tragedy suffered by his own family and community.  Osteopathy is a therapy based on a thorough knowledge of anatomy, a well-developed sense of touch (also known as “palpation”), and a unique philosophy.

Osteopathy is practiced around four principles that determine health in the body:

1. Structure governs function.
2. Flow of all bodily fluids must be unobstructed.
3. The body is a self-healing organism.
4. The body functions as one interconnected unit.

These ideas were radical at the time of their discovery.

The goal of osteopathic treatment is to correct dysfunction in the body by removing obstructions and creating balance through hands-on treatment so that the body can function the way it was meant to do, and therefore heal itself.  It has many applications, including but not limited to:

• Chronic pain or injury (work, motor vehicle accident, and others)
• Digestive issues
• Respiratory problems
• Ear, nose, and throat issues

Osteopathic techniques can be used to treat all of the different tissues in the body, including bones, joints, organs, muscles, fascia.  Treating these tissues can have positive effects on these parts of the body, as well as the nerves and blood vessels that travel through them.