Origins of Osteopathy

 

The osteopathic profession was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still

in the United States in the late 1800s. Osteopathic medicine, or

osteopathy, is a complete system of health care emphasizing a

whole person approach to medicine. There are currently 46 accredited

colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States with 73

campuses producing physicians with comprehensive medical and

surgical training, and with special skills in musculoskeletal diagnosis

and treatment, who make use of all modern diagnostic and treatment

modalities, including unique manual treatment principles known as

‘osteopathic manipulative medicine’. 

 

It is the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on

Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA)  that provides the advanced

medical and surgical training required for licensure in Canada.  These

US colleges are also responsible for the development of the advanced

osteopathic manual treatment techniques used by specialists in

osteopathic manipulative medicine worldwide.  The American Osteopathic Association and American Academy of Osteopathy continue to be the international leaders in advanced manual therapy techniques. 

 

Please note that since its inception, osteopathic education has always included comprehensive medical and surgical training. It is this traditional model of osteopathy that continues to be taught at US colleges of osteopathic medicine and is recognized for licensure in Canada, the United States, and over 45 countries worldwide for full osteopathic medical practice.

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