Understanding the Belief System of Osteopathic Medicine

Individuals who are completely trained and licensed as D.O.s are fully trained and licensed to prescribe medication and to perform surgery. There are only two such complete physicians in the United States, D.O.s and M.D.s.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) have a "whole person" approach to the medicine that they practice. They don't just look at the injured part, but focus attention on the entire musculoskeletal system to see how the injury has influenced the other body systems. Identifying structural problems within the body and then supporting the body's natural ability to heal and repair is what osteopathic medicine is all about. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.s) teach patients about how their attitudes and lifestyles can hurt or help their body to be well.

Individuals who are completely trained and licensed as D.O.s are fully trained and licensed to prescribe medication and to perform surgery. There are only two such complete physicians in the United States, D.O.s and M.D.s.

D.O.s practice all kinds of medicine including emergency medicine, cardiovascular, psychiatry and geriatrics. They are however, generalists first and specialist second. Osteopathics are family-oriented.  Other specialty services that D.O.s may provide include gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, internal medicine and family practice. Many D.O.s practice in rural areas where there is a critical need for physicians.

M.D. typically treat specific symptoms versus the osteopathic approach to treat the whole person. When a patient comes into the office, the D.O. just doesn't look at the ailing foot, hand or back; the entire person is examined for an assessment of the overall health.

Osteopathy is particularly effective when back, neck or shoulder pain is present, or when the individual suffers from headaches or migraines, it can also aid those who suffer from arthritis, or who have sustained sports injuries, or are experiencing the changes in posture brought on by pregnancy.

In its beginning stages Osteopathy was seen as a radical concept and rejected by traditionalists. Today, osteopathic medicine is considered to be very much a part of mainstay medicine and no longer considered to be an alternative medicine.

Doctors of osteopathic medicine believe in the power of the human body to heal and repair itself. They see their role as one of restoring balance in the systems of the body (bone, nerve, tissue, and fluids) so that the body can do what it is made to do and that is to function in harmony amongst the body parts and systems. The idea is that when the body is receiving proper nutrition, sleep and the individuals lives a healthy lifestyle then, the body can heal itself of any illness or injury. They also believe that medications and surgery should only be used if there are no other alternative treatments and when the body is unable to heal or restore without the use of medication or surgery. Your osteopathic physician will be happy to teach you how to live a well-rounded healthy life that includes eating nutritious foods, getting proper amounts of sleep and exercising daily.