Understanding Osteopathy:
The name Osteopathy seems to be highly misunderstood, even among Osteopaths. It is too often explained as “bone sickness” or “bone disease”, but this couldn’t be further from the actual meaning!
The word Osteopathy comes from two Greek words: OSTEON which means “structure of living matter”, and PATHOS meaning an incoming impression, or “profound emotion”.
Understanding Osteopathy:
The root meaning of “pathos” here is similar to its use in the words “sympathy,” “empathy,” or “telepathy.” (And not as in “pathology” which is a modern and derived meaning that is almost a reversal of the original meaning of the word.)
Thus, the term “Osteopathy” means or could be explained as “sensing or perceiving the influence of the bones or structure on the body in relation to disease, causation, and cure.” Or more simply put “the science of perceiving structure”!​
