Osteopathy is the system of treatment developed by A. T. Still late in the nineteenth century.  Still
believed that most diseases of the human body result from improper or inadequate flow of the
"nutrient arterial flow." (Sutherland, 1976)  Disturbance of arterial flow was often associated with
structural defects of the musculoskeletal system, impaired neurotransmission, and numerous other
dysfunctions.

     "As an electrician controls electric currents, so an Osteopath controls life currents and revives
suspended forces.... Study to understand bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood supply, and
everything pertaining to the human engine, and if your work be well done, you will have it under
perfect control."  (Still, 1897, pp. 275-276)

     Osteopathy was Edgar Cayce's preferred medical treatment.  However, it is important to keep in
mind that osteopathy has changed considerably from the early decades of this century when Cayce
was giving the readings.  Today, osteopathy has assumed a professional stature which is legally
recognized as equal to allopathic medicine.  D.O.s are provided the same privileges and
responsibilities granted M.D.s, including the prescription of medication and performance of surgery.
The evolution of osteopathy has produced practitioners that are generally considered to be
sympathetic to "holistic medicine" while placing increasing emphasis on interventions utilized by
traditional M.D.s.  There is, undoubtedly, much less emphasis on manipulative techniques today than
during Cayce's era.  The formation of the North American Academy of Musculoskeletal Medicine,
an organization composed of D.O.s (doctors of osteopathy), registered physical therapists, and
M.D.s attests to the integration of osteopathy into contemporary medicine and the greater
acceptance of manipulative therapy by mainstream professionals.

    The Early American Manual Therapy collection contains thousands of pages of text from the early osteopathy literature is a primary resource for persons wanting to know more about the form of osteopathy recommended by Edgar Cayce.

REFERENCES

Still, A. T.  (1897).  Autobiography of A. T. Still. Published by author: Kirksville, MO.