Osteopathy
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Osteopathy
What is osteopathy?
Osteopathy emphasizes overall health and the relation among the body's nerves, muscles, bones, and organs. Doctors of osteopathy (DOs) base diagnosis and treatment on the idea that the body's systems are interconnected. Instead of treating specific symptoms or illnesses, DOs regard and treat the body as a whole. Osteopathic medicine focuses on disease prevention and health maintenance.
Osteopathic doctors must complete 4 years of basic medical education from an accredited college of osteopathic medicine. Accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council on Postsecondary Education. Like medical doctors (MDs), DOs must complete an internship and residency program after their basic medical education.
What is osteopathy used for?
Like medical doctors, doctors of osteopathy may serve as primary care providers. DOs can prescribe medicines, order medical tests, such as X-rays, and do surgery. DOs often provide treatment in a hospital.
Some osteopathic doctors still use hands-on manipulation of bones and muscles, or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), in their training and practice. OMT allows osteopathic doctors to use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to promote healing.
Is osteopathy safe?
Osteopathic medicine is a safe, established practice of medicine. Like MDs, DOs must pass a state medical board examination to obtain a license in order to enter practice. Each state board sets its own requirements and then issues the license for the osteopathic doctor to practice in that state.
If you are interested in choosing a DO as your primary care provider, check his or her education, license, and experience. Recommendations from family members, friends, or other health professionals may be helpful.
Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | February 15, 2006 |
| Last updated: | February 15, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Lila Havens |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Editors: | Katy E. Magee, MA, Tracy Landauer |
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