Born in Missouri: The Origins of Osteopathic Medicine

In 1874, Osteopathic Medicine was invented in the Show Me State

Osteopathic Medicine is one of the fastest growing medical specialties in the world. It used to be viewed as a fringe type of medicine, but is now in high demand. That is due in large part to a man from Missouri. He was an MD, but made DOs a vital part of the medical community.

The relatively new medical theory was developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in Kirksville in 1874. It was there that he developed the principles of osteopathic medicine. Those principles are based on the philosophy that every biological system in the body is connected. Each system depends upon all the others to function correctly.

Dr. Still’s Philosophy

Dr. Andrew Still believed that treating the whole body is necessary to cure disease. You should not focus only on the area that is ill. His ideas of seeking health in diet, exercise, mental health, and body structure manipulation were not universally accepted. He was also on the forefront of the push to educate women doctors to fulfill a demand among female patients.

As his philosophy of medicine became more widely accepted, people became interested in what he was practicing and teaching.

A.T. Still University History

The expanded interest allowed him to open the first osteopathic medical school in Kirksville in 1892. It was first known as the American School of Osteopathy, which is now known as A.T. Still University – Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.

The school grew in prominence. It attracted students from all over the country and solidified Missouri’s reputation as a hub for osteopathic education. Over the years, several osteopathic medical schools and residency programs were founded in the state. These institutions have contributed to the growth and development of osteopathic medicine in Missouri. Now, over 121,000 physicians practice osteopathic medicine nationwide. This growth is all thanks to the vision of one Missourian.

Four Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine

Four tenets provide the foundation for osteopathic medicine’s whole person approach:

1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.
3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.

Osteopathic Medical Schools in Missouri

A.T. Still University–Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine

Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine