The therapy was discovered in the United States in the 1920's
by George S. Hackett, M.D. of Canton, Ohio and by two osteopathic
physicians, Gedney and Shumann, in Philadelphia. The therapy never
became widespread because the solution used is not a patented
substance so there was no financial incentive for a pharmaceutical
company to promote its use. A physician must be specially trained
in the use of proliferants and the techniques.
Although Medical Society guidelines do not permit public display
of fees, the cost for this therapy is usually only a fraction
of what a surgery costs and it also compares favor- ably with
the cost of chair lifts, wheelchair braces, drugs and other aids
which only help a patient live with the problem. The goal of the
therapy is to permanently eliminate the patient's need for these
devices and to regain independence.