Osteopathy 

Andrew Taylor Still was a physician living at the time of the American Civil War,he proposed that dysfunction in the musculskeletal system may reflect physiological changes in the body.  This was especially reflected through the vertebral spine which could be seen as a single unit of function/dysfunction.  From his Physiological and Anatomical studies and by reasoning he developed manipulative skills, he saw this approach as being ideal for enhancement of the body to fight disease and rebalance from trauma . He eventually opened a school of Osteopathy, the profession became popular in America and led to osteopaths being trained in schools of medicine.

From these early beginnings osteopathy has developed to be  both an artistic and scientific . Practitioners trained in these techniques are designated  'OSTEOPATHS' and  apply their skills to patients with musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. In addition these techniques are used to to enhance the body systems of support, circulation (both lymph and blood) , control and locomotion. 

In the UK Osteopathy is now self governed through the General Osteopathic Council who regulate Osteopaths and the profession as a whole for development and public protection.

The basic premise of Osteopathy is that 'Structure governs function' .  Continued research seems to validate the concept of this relationship;  'manipulation' through  this relationship and faith that the body is a self healing mechanism constitutes an Osteopathic treatment.