History of Osteopathy

History of Osteopathy:

 On June 22^nd 1874, following a ten year research, Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, medical doctor and surgeon, defined the methods and application of Osteopathy. Dr. Still’s initial concept implied treating patients globally by seeking for causes of dysfunctions rather than treating symptoms.

Dedicated to his patients, he was very successful in restoring the dynamic equilibrium of structures and quality of the body’s natural functions.

Andrew Taylor Still created the first school of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, MO and the American School of Osteopathy’s first charter was registered on Mat 10^th, , 1892.

This school welcomed people from all origins and religions. It was very successful. At the beginning of the 20^th century, William Garner Sutherland, D.O. (a student of Dr. Still’s) pursued his work and applied the concepts to the cranial sphere and to the craniosacral functional unit. 

By pursuing his work, many osteopaths such as Rollin Becker, D.O., Thomas Schooley, D.O., Ann Wales, D.O., Viola M. Fryman, D.O., Harold I. Magoun, D.O., have marked the history and evolution of the osteopathic Tradition by transmitting the biodynamic aspects of Osteopathy. Their discoveries and therapeutic methods are parts of our curriculum.

In 1898, the State of Vermont was first to recognize the profession of osteopath. It was under President Theodore Roosevelt’s tenure, successfully treated by Osteopathy, that this natural medicine, deemed beneficial to the general public, was officially recognized in the United States.

 Gradually, as years went by, Osteopathy in the United States went towards the practice of medicine and surgery, abandoning traditional Osteopathy based upon palpation and manual practice. However, the American Academy of Osteopathy has made every effort to preserve Osteopathy’s philosophy and basic potential.

In 1917, Osteopathy set foot in Europe, thanks to another of Dr. Still’s student, Dr. John Martin Littlejohn, D.O. He founded the British School of Osteopathy in Maidstone, as well as other institutions which gave British Osteopathy an important status within the British Health Care System. Today, large schools of Osteopathy are university affiliates.

Since 1993, pursuant to a decision made by the British Parliament, Osteopathy is governed by «The Osteopaths Act» conferring osteopaths a status equivalent to that of medical doctors and dentists. This allowed the enactment of rules necessary for public safety.

In France, traces were found relating to a school of Osteopathy end a book written in 1913. Dr. Major Stirling, D.O. set in France and taught a group of medical doctors. Osteopathy actually really developed in the 1960’s.The first course applied to the cranial sphere was given in Paris in 1965 by Thomas Schooley, D.O., Harold I. Magoun, D.O. and Viola M. Fryman, D.O., all three being William Garner Sutherland’s D.O.,former students. Two renowned French Osteopaths, Francis Peyrelade, D.O. and Bernard Barillon, D.O. were present.

 The first French colleges were instrumental for the inception of other colleges in Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Switzerland and Germany. French Osteopathy is well respected and is principally known in the evolution of Osteopathy in the visceral sphere with Jean-Pierre Barral, D.O., Jacques Weischenk, D.O. and René Briend, D.O. Osteopathy is now a recognized profession in France.

In Australia and New-Zealand, Osteopathy is a recognized profession. As it is the case in other countries, training is based upon a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree.

In Canada,  the «Collège d’Études Ostéopathiques» (CEO) was the very first when it started on March 11, 1981, under the authority of Philippe Druelle, D.O.

The «Registre des Ostéopathes du Québec» and the «Association des Ostéopathes du Québec» were both initiated by CEO members. We have organized and taken part into the first meeting with the «Office des professions du Québec» and we have participated in Québec’s first Parliamentary Commission on Osteopathy.

In 2202, our curriculum was validated by the University of Wales and we are currently discussing a similar protocol with a Québec university.

The «Office des professions» has accepted to initiate a process that should lead to the recognition of the profession of Osteopath in Québec.