What is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)?

If you are like most people, you have been going to a doctor since you were born, and perhaps were not aware whether you were seeing a D.O. or an M.D. (allopathic physician). You may not even be aware that these are the only two types of complete physicians in the United States.

The fact is, both D.O.s and M.D.s are complete physicians. They are both licensed by state and specialty boards to perform surgery and prescribe medication. Is there any difference between these two types of physicians? Yes. And no.

D.O.s and M.D.s are alike in many ways:

• Applicants to both D.O. and M.D. colleges typically have a four-year undergraduate degree with an emphasis on science courses.

• Both D.O.s and M.D.s complete four years of basic medical education.

• After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to practice in a specialty area of medicine such as psychiatry, surgery or obstetrics. They both complete a residency program, which takes typically two to six years of additional training.

• Both D.O.s and M.D.s must pass comparable state licensing examinations.

• D.O.s and M.D.s both practice in fully accredited and licensed hospitals and medical centers.

• D.O.s comprise a separate, yet equal branch of American medical care. Together D.O.s and M.D.s enhance the state of health care available in America.

D.O.s bring something extra to medicine:

• Osteopathic schools emphasize training students to be primary care physicians.

• D.O.s practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms or illnesses, they regard your body as an integrated whole.

• Osteopathic physicians focus on preventive healthcare.

• D.O.s receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system – your body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that make up two-thirds of its body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of the ways that an injury or illness in one part of your body can affect another. It gives D.O.s a therapeutic and diagnostic advantage over those who do not receive additional specialized training.

• Osteopathic manipulative training (OMT) is incorporated in the training and practice of osteopathic physicians. OMT allows physicians to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body’s natural tendency toward good health. By combining all other medical procedures with OMT, D.O.s offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today.

You are more than just the sum of your body parts. That’s why doctors of osteopathic medicine, D.O.s, practice a "whole person" approach to medicine. Instead of just treating specific symptoms, osteopathic physicians concentrate on treating you as a whole.

Osteopathic physicians understand how all the body’s systems are interconnected and how each one affects the others. They focus special attention on the musculoskeletal system, which reflects and influences the condition of all other body systems.

This system of bones and muscles make up about two-thirds of the body's mass, and a routine part of the osteopathic patient examination is a careful evaluation of these important structures. D.O.s know that the body’s structure plays a critical role in its ability to function. They can use their eyes and hands to identify structural problems and to support the body’s natural tendency toward health and self-healing.

Osteopathic physicians also use their ears to listen to you and your health concerns. Doctors of osteopathic medicine help patients develop attitudes and lifestyles that don’t just fight illness, but help prevent it too. Millions of Americans prefer this concerned and compassionate care, and have made D.O.s their doctors life.

History of Osteopathic Medicine

Osteopathic medicine is a unique form of American medical care that was developed in 1874 by frontier doctor Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still was dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19^th century medicine. He believed that many of the medications of his day were useless or even harmful. Dr. Still was one of the first in his time to study the attributes of good health so that he could better understand the process of disease.

In response Dr. Still founded a philosophy of medicine based on ideas that date back to Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine. The philosophy focuses on the unity of all body parts. He identified the musculoskeletal system as a key element of health. He recognized the body’s ability to heal itself and stressed preventive medicine, eating properly and keeping fit.

Dr. Still pioneered the concept of "wellness" 100 years ago. In today’s terms, personal health risks – such as smoking, high blood pressure, excessive cholesterol levels, stress and other lifestyle factors – are evaluated for each individual. In coordination with appropriate medical treatment, the osteopathic physicians act as a teacher to help patients take more responsibility for their own well-being and change unhealthy patterns.

Sports medicine is also a natural outgrowth of osteopathic practice, because of its focus on the musculoskeletal system, osteopathic manipulative treatment, diet, exercise and fitness. Many professional sports team physicians, Olympic physicians and personal sports medicine physicians are D.O.s.

Just as Dr. Still pioneered osteopathic medicine on the Missouri frontier in 1874, today osteopathic physicians serve as modern day medical pioneers.

They continue the tradition of bringing healthcare to areas of greatest need:

• Over half of all osteopathic physicians practice in primary care areas, such as pediatrics, general practice obstetrics/gynecology and internal medicine.

• Many D.O.s fill a critical need for family doctors by practicing in small towns and rural areas.

Today osteopathic physicians continue to be on the cutting edge of modern medicine. D.O.s are able to combine today’s awesome medical technology with the tools of their ears to listen carefully to their patients; their eyes to see their patients as whole persons; and their hands, to diagnose and treat injury and illness.