Osteopathy: Research and Practice

Part of the original resistance to the establishment of the first school was the impression that the treatment provided by the "Old Doctor" was peculiar to him. His continued success became the magnet that drew patients and students to him. It is no wonder that the latter attempted to emulate him. Once the school was established, he had felt disappointment with some of his early students. He called them "engine wipers" because they could clean the surface problems without truly understanding the inner workings of the human machine. It was important to Dr. Shh that those who prachced osteopathic medicine develop treatments for the individual. However, it is not truly accurate to say that he never showed a technique or wrote down a description. He buried his descriptions in what he considered the more important components, the philosophy and principles of his new science. Some maneuvers are embedded in Osteopathy Research and Practice and The Philosophy and Mechanical Principles of Osteopathy. He also, obviously, could not keep his foUowers from observing some of the methods that he did use, especially when they would see him repeat them. 

Still AT. Osteopathy Research and Practice. Kirksville, MO Journal Printing Co., 1910 (Reprint Seattle, WA East-land Press, 1992). 

From the earliest days of osteopathy, direct manipulation of the viscera has been included in the armamentarium of the osteopathic physician. In his last book. Osteopathy, Research and Practice, Andrew T. Still, the founder of osteopathy, discussed the treatment of many disease entities and emphasized the treatment of "lesions" of the vertebrae and ribs as well as describing techniques applied directly to the viscera. His stated goal was always to improve the circulation of arterial and venous blood and lymphatic flow to and from the viscera, as well as assuring proper neural function. His preference in visceral treatment was to have the patient in a knee-chest position, from which he would lift the viscera being treated upward toward the diaphragm. He described using this type of technique in the treatment of dysentery and appendicitis. He used a technique for dyspepsia in which he placed the patient on his right side while he lifted the stomach toward to left. 

Kucheta ML Kucheta WA. Osteopathic Considerations in Systemic Dysfunction. Columbus, OH Greydon Press, 1994. Still AT. Osteopathy, Research and Practice. Seattle Eastland Press, 1910 (republished 1992). 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , ]

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