In 1874, in Kirksville Missouri, Andrew Taylor Still, himself a surgeon and also the son of a surgeon, became disillusioned by the medical profession. He recognised that, at that time, medical treatments were largely ineffective and he sought a better solution. His goal was to “restore the body to optimum health with minimal surgery and medicine” and he discovered that, in order to achieve this, all parts of the body needed to work together harmoniously. Stall named his new practice “osteopathy” based on his principle that the bone (osteon) was the starting point for optimum health.

Still established a reputation as an effective practitioner and people travelled from all over America to be treated by him. In 1892, Still established the American School of Osteopathy with his first group of 22 students.

An early student of Still’s was J Martin Littlejohn. Littlejohn established the Chicago College of Osteopathy in 1900 and then came to Britain and helped found the British School of Osteopathy in 1917. Before that, all osteopaths in Britain had been trained in America.

Osteopathy grew in popularity in the UK from around 200 practitioners in the 1940s to around 5000 practitioners today.

In 1993, the Osteopaths Bill was passed by parliament, giving statutory recognition to the title of osteopath and also implementing a rigorous qualification process. All osteopaths are now listed on the Register of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

Visit an experienced London Osteopath in W1 and N2 N10

If you are suffering pain or discomfort and you would like further information on how I may help you or to book an Osteopathy appointment at either of my osteopathy clinics in London W1 and London N2 N10 please feel free to send me a message or call me on 020 8815 0979.