Osteopathy has a rich history spanning over 150 years. It was founded on the principle that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and that a physician's role is to facilitate and support that process.
1828
Andrew Taylor Still is Born
Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, is born in Virginia, USA. His father was a physician and Methodist minister, and Still grew up with a keen interest in medicine and the natural world.
1864
Tragedy Leads to Inquiry
Still lost three of his children to spinal meningitis. Dissatisfied with the limitations of conventional medicine at the time, he began an extensive study of the human body and its relationship between structure and function.
1874
Osteopathy is Founded
Still formally founded osteopathy on 22 June 1874 in Baldwin, Kansas. He described the body as a machine and proposed that dysfunction in the musculoskeletal system could affect the body's overall health.
1892
American School of Osteopathy
Still founded the American School of Osteopathy in Kirksville, Missouri — the first osteopathic school in the world. It continues to operate today as A.T. Still University.
1917
Osteopathy Arrives in Australia
Osteopathy was introduced to Australia in the early 20th century. The profession grew steadily throughout the century, gaining increasing recognition from the medical community and government bodies.
2000s
Full Registration in Australia
Osteopathy became a nationally registered health profession in Australia under AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency), ensuring consistent standards of training and professional practice across the country.
Today
Osteopic – Hobart's Home of Osteopathy
Osteopic continues this proud tradition, bringing evidence-informed osteopathic care to the Hobart community across two convenient locations in Bellerive and Kingston.