GET WELL

Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care that was started in 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still believed that many of the medications of his day were useless or even harmful and was one of the first in his time to study the attributes of good health so that he could better understand the process of disease.

In response, Dr. Still developed a philosophy of medicine based on ideas that date back to Hippocrates, the father of medicine. That philosophy focuses on the unity of all body parts. He recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicine, eating properly and keeping fit.

Dr. Still pioneered the concept of “wellness” more than 130 years ago. In today’s terms, D.O.s (doctors of osteopathy) evaluate each patient’s personal health risks—such as smoking, high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol levels, stress and other lifestyle factors. In coordination with prescribing appropriate medical treatment, osteopathic physicians act as teachers to help patients take more responsibility for their well-being and to change unhealthy patterns.

“The object of the physician should be to find health; anyone can find disease.”

-A.T. Still (Founder of Osteopathic Medicine)