osteopathy

American  

[os-tee-op-uh-thee] / ˌɒs tiˈɒp ə θi /

noun

1. Also called osteopathic medicine.  a medical discipline with an emphasis on the health and drug-free treatment of the musculoskeletal system and on the diagnostic significance of patient lifestyle and environment.

   She’s been studying osteopathy at Campbell University.

2. the system of therapeutic manipulation techniques involved in the practice of this discipline.

   After 20 minutes of osteopathy, I was feeling more optimistic about my rehabilitation.

---

osteopathy British  

/ ˌɒstɪˈɒpəθɪ, ˌɒstɪəˈpæθɪk /

noun

1. a system of healing based on the manipulation of bones or other parts of the body

---

osteopathy Scientific  

/ ŏs′tē-ŏp′ə-thē /

1. A system of medicine based on the theory that disturbances in the musculoskeletal system can cause disorders in other bodily parts and can be corrected by various manipulative techniques. These are used in conjunction with conventional medical and surgical treatments.

---

osteopathy Cultural  

1. A system of medicine that stresses healing through the manipulation of body parts while also using many standard medical practices, such as surgery or drugs.

---

Other Word Forms

• osteopathic adjective
• osteopathically adverb

Etymology

Origin of osteopathy

First recorded in 1855–60; osteo- + -pathy

Example Sentences

The latest emails suggest that in 2009 Epstein sent Mr. Avila da Silva £10,000 to pay for an osteopathy training course.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

In an email to Epstein, da Silva sets out the costs of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details and thanks the financier for "anything you can help me with".

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

Dinh, a licensed doctor of osteopathy and an ear, nose and throat specialist, is out of custody on $7 million bond, according to prosecutors and court records.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2023

Early on, Geddert found another adult to joke around with: a young Larry Nassar, who was a student of osteopathy at Michigan State at the time.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2021

The New Year found Clemens still in London, chiefly interested in osteopathy and characteristically glorifying the practice at the expense of other healing methods.

From Mark Twain's Letters — Volume 4 (1886-1900) by Paine, Albert Bigelow