Osteopath stretching the soft tissues of the dorsal spine of a patient on whom a laminectomy, a surgical incision into the backbone, was performed. Osteopathy is a form of therapy which was founded in 1874 by doctor Andrew Taylor Still. It is based on the concept that the musculoskeletal system, formed by bones, muscles, tendons, joints, tissues, nerves and spinal column, plays a central role in the patient's well-being. The osteopath uses various manual techniques, including pressure, manipulation and stretching to diagnose a dysfunction and restore movements to the joints.