History
Osteopathy was founded in June 1874 by Andrew Taylor Still (1828-1917). Still understood the interdependent relationship between the structure (anatomy) and the function (physiology) of the human organism, and he was the first doctor to apply this knowledge professionally. In 1892 he founded the American School of Osteopathy, which paved the way for many others in the United States.
J. Martin Littlejohn introduced osteopathy to Europe, opening the first school in England in 1917. From there began the osteopathy’s expansion to the rest of Europe, in particular France.
In the 1930s, W.G. Sutherland presented his studies into the anatomy and function of the cranium, and its relationship with the rest of the body: cranial sacrum osteopathy was born.
Studies began in the 1960s of visceral/deep manipulation techniques and their effect on the physiology and mechanics of the human body.
England was the first European country to recognise osteopathy as a profession and independent university career, the process beginning in 1993 and ending in 2000, by which time the profession was completely regulated. Other European countries have begun the same process of regularisation, such as Belgium, France, Norway and Ireland. In Spain, contact is ongoing with the relevant administrative bodies to ensure osteopathy is recognised as a profession here.