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The Founding Fathers of Osteopathy

Osteopathy was founded in 1874 by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, MD--also known as
“The Old Doctor”.

DR. ANDREW TAYLOR STILL: Dr. Still learned medicine as an apprentice to his father. A practicing physician in Missouri and a surgeon during the civil war, Dr. Still saw many people die of serious illness (including his 3 children.) He became very critical of the ineffectiveness of the medicine and surgery offered at the time, and during the early 1870’s Dr. Still began to separate himself from the medical profession. In response he founded a philosophy of medicine based on the ideas of Hippocrates, the father of medicine:

Dr. Still believed in the unity of all body parts and he identified the musculoskeletal system as a key component of health. He believed that adjusting the body mechanically would allow all body systems, including the circulatory and nervous systems, to function more freely, thereby allowing the bodies own self-corrective forces to heal the patient. Dr. Still’s insights into the nature of health and the human body were the foundation of the osteopathic profession.

Dr. Still taught his ideas and as a result, many great physicians emerged to continue his work . . . one of these was Dr. William Garner Sutherland.                 

DR. WILLIAM GARNER SUTHERLAND: Dr. Sutherland’s work was an extension of the work of Dr. Still. He began with a very mechanical approach to osteopathy.

While studying a human skull, Dr. Sutherland was struck by a curious thought.  He noticed that the bones of the skull seemed to be designed for some sort of respiratory motion. Through his study, he found articular motion in the bones that make up the skull. 

He began to apply traditional biomechanical osteopathic techniques to the cranium and sacrum with great results. He called his discovery “osteopathy in the cranial field”. He discussed 5 components of his findings:

The inherent rhythmic motion of the bones of the skull The involuntary motion of the sacrum (tailbone) between the bones of the pelvis The inherent rhythmic motion of the brain and spinal cord The fluctuation of the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord The shifting tensions of the membranous envelope (dura mater) surrounding the brain and spinal cord indicated that all membranous tissue functions as one structure. This is referred to as “reciprocal tension membrane.”

Primary Respiration

Dr. Sutherland continued to study relentlessly over the next 30 years, and as he did he began to notice that as the bones of the skull were expanding and contracting, so was the rest of the body:

The body seemed to be in a constant state of very slow inhalation and exhalation. He began talking about a “primary respiratory mechanism”.  He called the respiration primary because it is a breath that comes prior to diaphragmatic breath. This breath gives rise to all other body systems and processes, to all anatomy and physiology.  It is the force that gives rise to all form and function. This new concept/discovery continued to evolve over many years. Near the end of his life Dr. Sutherland devoted his study to the understanding of, and conscious relating to this primary respiratory mechanism.     He no longer used a biomechanical model where forces had to be applied from an external source for changes to occur. He began to focus more on a style of practice where intrinsic healing forces directed the therapeutic process. He spoke of a “Breath of Life”, “Potency”, and the “Tide.”

Dr. Sutherland taught this concept for many years. In 1947, The Cranial Academy was founded by Sutherland’s students, and, in 1953, he established the Sutherland Cranial Teaching Foundation. These organizations produced many pioneers in the field who continued to deepen our understanding of osteopathy. 

One such osteopath is James Jealous, D.O. Through many years of study and practical experience, Dr. Jealous provided clarification of the work and teachings of many osteopaths who have come before him, including that of  Dr. Sutherland and Dr. Still.  Dr. Jealous is known for providing a clear language and definition of traditional osteopathy.  His work in the field is now known as Biodynamic Osteopathy. 

For several years Dr. Stephanie Nani studied directly with Dr. Jealous and treated patients as part of his practice.

For more information go to www.cranialacademy.com,  www.SCTF.com

Call 530.271.5711 any time to set up an appointment and/or to discuss osteopathy and how it may help you.

 

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