The History of Myopractics
To understand Myopractics, we must trace its lineage back to Andrew Taylor Still, the Father of Osteopathy and Osteopathic Medicine. Still pioneered a hands-on, drugless approach to healing that emphasized the body’s ability to self-heal when properly aligned and free of obstructions.
In 1875, Still began practicing his new method of healing in Kirksville, Missouri.
By 1885, he officially named his system Osteopathy
And in 1892, he founded the American School of Osteopathy.
Still’s approach focused on the relationship between the body’s structure and its function, emphasizing that anomalies in structure could disrupt the free flow of blood and “nerve force,” leading to ill health. His methods, which included joint and tissue manipulation, bear striking similarities to today’s chiropractic and manual therapies.
One of Still’s guiding principles was the belief that the body is a divine creation, designed with the inherent capacity for self-healing. He emphasized the importance of anatomical and physiological knowledge, stating: “By our mechanical skill, preceded by our intelligence in anatomy, we can detect and adjust both hard and soft substances of the system.” This holistic philosophy laid the groundwork for what would eventually become Myopractics.
The Evolution of Myopractics
Dr. William J. Huls, an osteopathic physician and a student of Still’s methods, played a pivotal role in the evolution of Myopractics. Huls, who began his career as a veterinarian, graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery in 1927. After years of practice, he moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where he continued to refine and teach his techniques. Dr.Huls would take his patients’ pulses before, during, and after treatment to evaluate their condition and guide his methods. Shortly before his death in 1976, Huls imparted his knowledge to two young healers, James Marinakis and Joseph DeBruin.
In 1977, Marinakis renamed the practice “Myopractics” and founded the Southwestern University of Natural Therapeutics in Tempe, Arizona. Over the years, Myopractics was further developed and taught to new generations of practitioners. This lineage connects Myopractics directly to the teachings of Andrew Taylor Still, preserving the principles of early Osteopathy while adapting them to modern therapeutic practices. The lineage of Myopractics is a testament to the enduring relevance of Andrew Taylor Still’s teachings. Through an unbroken chain of mentorship—from Still to Dr. Roscoe Lyda, to Dr. William J. Huls, to James Marinakis, to Rhonda Marinakis and beyond—the principles of early Osteopathy have been preserved and adapted to meet the needs of contemporary patients.
In a world increasingly reliant on technology and pharmaceutical interventions, Myopractics offers a refreshing reminder of the body’s innate capacity for self-healing.
