Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, Dr. Still was a medical physician who had become frustrated with what he saw as the ineffective nature of remedies at that time. Dr. Still watched helplessly as the best medications available  failed to save his own three children from spinal meningitis. Frustrated by his inability to help his children he started his search for an alternative healing practice. He believed that the doctor’s role in fighting disease was to restore the body’s proper musculoskeletal function. He eventually based his new system on the idea that manipulation of the spine could improve blood flow and thus improve health by allowing the body to heal itself.

The World Health Organization recognizes the Osteopathic concept of somatic dysfunction as being scientifically proven.