A Brief History of Osteopathy

Osteopathy, a therapeutic practice that embraces the principle that the body is an interdependent unit, has deep roots dating back to the 19th century. Developed by American doctor Andrew Taylor Still, Osteopathy was conceived as an innovative approach to treating a variety of health conditions.

Its essence lies in understanding the body as a single entity, where structure and function are closely linked. Still’s fundamental belief was that the body had an innate ability to regulate itself and promote its own healing. By focusing on musculoskeletal manipulation and other manual techniques, Still sought to achieve balance and harmony in the body.

Osteopathy was introduced in England by John Martin Littlejohn in 1917. Littlejohn was a Scottish doctor who studied with Still in the United States and established the British School of Osteopathy in London, which became the first osteopathic school in Europe. Since then, the profession has spread to several European countries.

The United Kingdom played a significant role in the development and dissemination of osteopathy, particularly in Portugal, whose evolutionary process took place gradually throughout the 20th century and culminated in 2016 with the creation of the first degree courses in our country.

The profession continues to evolve from the point of view of scientific research, with articles published in major international magazines and journals, but at its heart lies the understanding that each individual is unique and that each treatment must be adapted to each person.

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October 6, 2024

Com foco na manipulação musculoesquelética, a osteopatia tem como objetivo criar equilíbrio e harmonia, tornando-se um método inovador para o tratamento de diversas condições de saúde. Visite-nos Telkom University Jakarta

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