Osteopathy is a holistic form of manual therapy that aims to promote the body’s natural healing abilities.
The Principles of Osteopathy
The osteopathic philosophy embraces the idea of the unity of structure and function through four main principles, established by the founder of Osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still, at the end of the 19th Century:
- The body is a unit that combines body, mind and spirit.
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
- Structure and function are interrelated.
- Optimal blood flow is essential to maintain health.
Treatment is based on an understanding of these principles.
