Osteopathy Andrew Taylor Still

still believed osteopathy necessary discovery, because current medical practices of day caused significant harm , conventional medicine had failed shed light on etiology , effective treatment of disease. @ time still practiced physician – medications, surgery , other traditional therapeutic regimens caused more harm good. of medicines commonly given patients during time arsenic, castor oil, whiskey , opium. additionally, unsanitary surgical practices resulted in more deaths cures.

dr. still sought reform existing 19th-century medical practices. still investigated alternative treatments, such hydropathy, diet, bonesetting, , magnetic healing. still found appeal in relatively tame side effects of modalities, , imagined someday rational medical therapy consist of manipulation of musculoskeletal system, surgery , sparing use of drugs, including anesthetics, antiseptics , antidotes. invented name osteopathy blending 2 greek roots osteon- bone , -pathos suffering in order communicate theory disease , physiologic dysfunction etiologically grounded in disordered musculoskeletal system. thus, diagnosing , treating musculoskeletal system, believed physicians treat variety of diseases , spare patients negative side-effects of drugs.

still founded first school of osteopathy based on new approach medicine - school called american school of osteopathy (now a.t. still university) in kirksville, missouri in 1892.

still 1 of first physicians promote idea of preventive medicine , philosophy physicians should focus on treating disease rather symptoms.

still defined osteopathy as:

in 1907 interview topeka daily capital newspaper, a.t. still s son, charles still, d.o., described father s philosophy body operate smoothly old age, if maintained , every living organism possessed ability produce necessary chemicals , materials cure of ailments.