ANDREW TAYLOR STILL: FATHER OF OSTEOPATHY

Andrew Taylor Still (1828–1917) founded osteopathy, challenging 19th-century medical practices. His early life, influenced by his physician father, and experiences during the Civil War, exposed him to ineffective and harmful treatments. The loss of his children to meningitis in 1864 spurred his search for a better approach.

By 1874, Still developed osteopathy, emphasizing the body’s self-healing ability and the musculoskeletal system’s role in health. He advocated for hands-on manipulation over drugs and invasive procedures.

In 1892, he founded the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri, teaching holistic principles and manual therapy. His teachings focused on the body’s structure-function relationship, preventive care, and innate healing capacity.

Still’s patient-centered, holistic approach endures, with osteopathy now a global practice. His legacy highlights the importance of addressing root causes and restoring bodily harmony, influencing modern holistic medicine.