Osteopathic Manual Therapy, is the manual therapy (therapy applied with hands) that was founded by Andrew Taylor Still. This manual therapy follows the teachings of Classical Osteopathy (see below), a principle based musculoskeletal application, using a person's bones and muscles. OMT works with the interrelation between structure and function. In Canada, the term Osteopathy is reserved for allopathic (western trained) physicians who are also trained in Osteopathic Manual Therapy. Therefore, those therapists trained in the manual therapy aspect (and not the allopathic medical aspect), are referred to in Canada, as Osteopathic Manual Therapy Practitioners or Osteopathic Manual Therapy Therapists. Osteopathic Manual Therapy (OMT) is also referred to as Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.
Classical Osteopathy is a manual therapy based on the original principles and concepts used by the founder of Osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still. Some people refer to Classical Osteopathy as the application or use of "Stillian Principles". The principles A T Still used were universal, scientific, anatomical, physical, mechanical and biological/physiological. Classical Osteopathy operates with the understanding of the inter-relatedness of structure and function in the body; a comprehensive knowledge and application of functional anatomy/physiology; and application of a variety of mechanical tools and techniques. A classical Osteopath is likened to being a mechanic, electrician and plumber of the body. They then use rational treatment to restore movement to that area of the body. A classically trained OMT Therapist serves each individual as a unique living system and thereby each treatment as a unique presentation. The classical OMT Therapist will work to return the structure of the individual's body to their normal state (at a pace that supports and empowers their vitality and constitution), thereby improving function. Working from a perspective of health, an OMT Practitioner assesses what is moving and not moving in the body. Classical Osteopathy recognizes the body as a dynamic unit of function, therefore, after the treatment occurs, the person integrates the treatment for 1 - 3 days following the treatment.
Sandi Loytomaki, Student of OMT