Manual Osteopathy

The training of osteopaths (called Manual Osteopathic Practitioners within BC) and osteopathic physicians have the same origin.

From early in the 20th century, however, these two fields were evolving differently. As the name indicates, osteopathic physicians are medical doctors. As such, they are trained to prescribe drugs, perform surgery, deliver babies, and to have the prerequisites to specialize in other branches of medicine. Osteopathic physicians are almost exclusively trained in the USA.  Manual Osteopaths (or  Manual Osteopathic Practitioners within BC) are not MDs, they are not trained in allopathic medicine but purely osteopathic manual treatment. Osteopaths are trained in many countries, all over the world. Worldwide osteopaths (or Manual Osteopathic Practitioners within BC) have a very comprehensive practical training in what has come to be known as Osteopathic Manual Therapy. It is this manual practice or manipulation which was most distinctive about the founder of osteopathy, (Dr. Still) methods, and it is the wide range of manual practice approaches that evolved from Still’s principles which forms the core of Osteopathy. In fact, the manual practice of osteopathy has hugely influenced most of the physical therapy approaches – from chiropractic through massage and physiotherapy, to rolfing, cranio-sacral therapy and sports medicine.