Our Philosophy

At its core Osteopathy is based on a set of principles, rather than specific techniques or protocols. Osteopathy began in the late 1800’s with an American physician and surgeon named Andrew Taylor Still in Kirksville, Missouri. After the death of his wife and 4 of his children, Still was disillusioned with the allopathic medical system. Medicines were often ineffective and occasionally harmful, with unsanitary surgical practices often resulting in widespread infection and death. Still turned his attention to human anatomy to explore the relationship between structure and function of the body. He concluded that treating the musculoskeletal system supports the body’s inherent healing mechanisms, therefore avoiding treatments he felt offered greater risk than reward. Still developed the concept of the “osteopathic lesion”, where tension within the tissues impacted fluid movement. Increasing fluid movement allows the tissues to have the best environment for optimal function.  While allopathic medicine has significantly improved since the 1800s, for musculoskeletal complaints, many treatments still look to relieve the symptoms rather than treat the cause of pain and stiffness. At Complete Health Osteopathy we are committed to using the most effective and up to date techniques, guided by the principles of Osteopathy, to determine the underlying reason for your pain and provide meaningful change.

“To find health should be the object of the doctor. Anyone can find disease.” – A.T. Still MD, DO Philosophy of Osteopathy

“Any variation from the health has a cause, and the cause has a location.  It is the business of the osteopath to locate and remove it (the cause), doing away with disease and getting health instead.” – A. T. Still MD, DO, Osteopathy Research and Practice

“You begin with anatomy, and you end with anatomy, a knowledge of anatomy is all you want or need.” – A.T. Still MD DO Philosophy of Osteopathy