Steve Paulus, D.O.

03/20/2026

On DAY 2 of AAO Convocation, I send messages from the not so distant past.

Here it is, your moment of Osteopathic Zen.

03/19/2026

Today is day one of the American Academy of Osteopathy's (AAO) annual Convocation. In 1953, at the annual Convention of the Academy of Applied Osteopathy (AAO) this challenge, offered below, was proposed by Dr. MacCraken.

The challenge is unchanged. "Who will preserve our Osteopathic heritage?"

We all look up to the current incarnation of the Academy of Applied Osteopathy to defend Osteopathic principles and our rights to practice.

"The challenge is great." Or else . . .

02/27/2026

McConnell understood the core elements of Dr. Still's Osteopathic philosophy. He was an original student of Still's and an important Osteopathic pioneer.

This simple statement forms the foundation of what we do as Osteopaths. We DON'T FIX anything. The body does the fixing.

A D.O. assists—we don't DO the work of healing.

This is what we need to be teaching in every Osteopathic school around the world. In the United States, this principle is not taught anymore.

https://osteopathyunplugged.com/

02/21/2026

Here's an interesting quote from 1903 and exemplifies a longstanding problem with in the international Osteopathic profession:

Do we have a set of standards for education that define Osteopathy? Who gets to decide what is Osteopathy and what is not Osteopathy? Are all training programs around the world equivalent or do they teach at the very least, the same basic history and principles?

There are more questions than answers. In many ways, we've been asking the same question for over 125 years.

What do you think?

02/14/2026

The Facilitated Segment Theory in Osteopathy deserves our attention and we are bringing you an in depth dive into this seminal Osteopathic concept.

We look forward to your input and insights.

https://osteopathyunplugged.com/

02/04/2026

02/01/2026

This simple analogy explains a basic principle of Osteopathy. Think about it . . .

If we take the symbolism of this vignette literally, then the Osteopathic Treatment would be to cut the string from the finger. It would not be Osteopathic to give the patient oral antibiotics or apply a prescription cream to the red and damaged finger.

This is an example of searching for cause and treating it. It is also an example of how Osteopathy addresses ligation of fluids in the tissues and how that creates disease.

01/26/2026

This is quote from one of A. T. Still's direct students has so much to say about modern Osteopathy in the United States as well as in the ever expanding Osteopathic community around the world.

01/12/2026

This key quote from Dr. Still is one of the key principles of Osteopathy. This is an expression of holism in action. When a so-called small injury then affects the entire organism.

01/03/2026

We have continued the discussion around the Dr. Fulford quote: "Patients were easier to treat before World War II."

Join us in the conversation called Osteopathy.

https://osteopathyunplugged.com/episodes

12/16/2025

Here's a great question: What is Osteopathic Treatment? Can an Osteopathic Treatment be different than Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment?

Dr. Schiowitz taught that thinking osteopathically means reasoning and using the foundational principles of Osteopathy with Osteopathic Manipulation AND to complement the hands-on part of an office visit.

We address this issue in Episode #36 of Osteopathy Unplugged.

Consider joining us: https://osteopathyunplugged.com/

12/06/2025

What is the right time to add-on additional interventions to an Osteopathic Treatment? When do we add-in supplements, exercise, homeopathy, or acupuncture? When should we add-in medication therapies? All of these questions and more are addressed in our next pragmatic episode of Osteopathy Unplugged.

https://osteopathyunplugged.com/episodes