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Short answer
General osteopathic treatment (GOT) is a classical osteopathic approach in which the whole body is worked through in a set sequence with rhythmic articulatory movements. Its roots go back to Still’s practice. There is little scientific research on GOT, and the evidence is insufficient for a definitive conclusion about its effectiveness.
Origins
The roots of general osteopathic treatment go back to Still’s practice. The approach was promoted by John Martin Littlejohn and spread in Great Britain by John Wernham. This tradition is known as “classical osteopathy”.
Principle
In GOT the whole body is worked through in a set sequence with rhythmic articulatory movements. In the WHO classification, GOT is assigned to the group of direct techniques.
Scientific evidence
There is little scientific research on GOT. The evidence is insufficient to draw a definitive conclusion about the effectiveness of the approach.
Sources
- World Health Organization (2010). Benchmarks for training in osteopathy. ISBN 978-92-4-159966-5. who.int (opens in a new window)
- Grolaux et al. (2021). On general osteopathic treatment. AAO Journal.
This article is for educational purposes and does not replace a physician's advice.