Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a branch of healthcare that emphasizes the interrelationship between the body's structure and function, and uses manual techniques to influence medical conditions. It is based on principles that the body is self-regulating and capable of healing, and that posture and movement affect health.

The system was founded by Andrew Taylor Still in the United States in 1874. In the United States, osteopathic physicians (DOs) are fully licensed physicians who practice medicine and surgery and may use osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) as part of care. In many other countries, osteopathy refers to a separate manual-therapy profession focused on musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, with practitioners known as osteopaths and regulated by national bodies.

Education and training vary by jurisdiction but generally include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, radiology, and hands-on manipulation. OMT techniques range from soft-tissue and muscle energy techniques to joint mobilization and, in some schools, high-velocity thrusts. Some programs integrate conventional medical training while others emphasize manual therapy as the core.

The evidence base for osteopathy is mixed and condition-specific; systematic reviews support modest benefits for some musculoskeletal conditions such as low back pain, neck pain, and sciatica, while evidence for other indications is limited. Safety is generally high when delivered by trained practitioners, though manipulative procedures carry risk of injury, particularly with high-velocity thrusts.

Regulation and scope of practice vary globally; in the US DOs are physicians and surgeons, while in other regions osteopaths may not have physician status but work as primary care providers or complementary therapists. The field continues to evolve with ongoing research and professional standards.