Osteopathy is a holistic, hands-on system of healthcare developed by American physician Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in the late 1800s in Missouri. Grounded in a deep understanding of anatomy and physiology, it focuses on the interconnectedness of the body’s structure and function.

Osteopathic practitioners use a range of manual techniques to assess and treat dysfunction in joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia—structures that, when imbalanced, can affect the nervous system, blood flow, and even organ health. With a highly trained sense of touch, they tailor personalized care plans rooted in each patient’s health history and presenting issues.

As the original form of modern manual therapy in the United States, osteopathy has influenced many other bodywork methods. While some adopt elements of its approach, complex or multi-layered health concerns are best addressed by fully trained osteopathic professionals with unrestricted clinical scopes.