The History of Osteopathy in the UK

Osteopathy was founded in the late 19th century in the United States by Andrew Taylor Still. It reached the UK in the early 20th century, with osteopaths practising in London by the 1910s and formal teaching developing soon after. The British School of Osteopathy (now the University College of Osteopathy) was established in 1917 and became a key centre for training and professional organisation.

For much of the 20th century, osteopathy in the UK operated outside mainstream healthcare regulation, with practice standards set largely by professional bodies and training institutions. A major change came with the Osteopaths Act 1993, which created statutory regulation and protected the title “osteopath”.

In 2000, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) opened the statutory register. Since then, UK osteopathy has been defined by regulated education, professional standards, and continuing professional development, with osteopaths working mainly in private practice and, in some settings, alongside other healthcare services.