osteopathy

noun

os·​te·​op·​a·​thy ˌä-stē-ˈä-pə-thē 

: a system of medical practice that emphasizes a holistic and comprehensive approach to patient care and utilizes the manipulation of musculoskeletal tissues along with other therapeutic measures (such as the use of drugs or surgery) to prevent and treat disease : osteopathic medicine

Examples of osteopathy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He’s trained to perform acupuncture, osteopathic manipulation and biodynamic cranial osteopathy. —Garrett Andrews, oregonlive, 21 Nov. 2020

Students at Noorda and Rocky Vista graduate as doctors of osteopathy — D.O.s — rather than doctors of medicine, or M.D.s. —Erin Alberty, The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 July 2021

Doctors of medicine and osteopathy are starting side jobs, from selling stick-on nail colors to dog walking. —Monya De, STAT, 17 Feb. 2020

Okay, but is there any scientific evidence to back up cranial osteopathy? —Leah Groth, Health.com, 29 Oct. 2019

Word History

Etymology

osteo- + -pathy

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing osteopathy

• doctor of osteopathy

Kids Definition

osteopathy

noun

os·​te·​op·​a·​thy ˌäs-tē-ˈäp-ə-thē 

: a system of treating diseases that uses procedures involving especially the manipulation of bones but does not exclude other treatment (as the use of drugs and surgery)

osteopathic

ˌäs-tē-ə-ˈpath-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

osteopathy

noun

os·​te·​op·​a·​thy ˌäs-tē-ˈäp-ə-thē 

plural osteopathies

1

: a disease of bone

2

: a system of medical practice that emphasizes a holistic and comprehensive approach to patient care and utilizes the manipulation of musculoskeletal tissues along with other therapeutic measures (such as the use of drugs or surgery) to prevent or treat disease : osteopathic medicine