What Is a Doctor of Osteopathy?

A doctor of osteopathy, or D.O., is fully trained in the field of conventional medicine as well as in osteopathic medicine. The D.O. is licensed to perform surgery, write prescriptions, and is found in medical institutions throughout the U.S., including the Mayo Clinic.

History

Osteopathic medicine was started in America in 1874. It is based on the medical philosophy dating back to Hippocrates, which focuses on the whole person, including the mind.

Requirements

A D.O. must meet the same requirements as an M.D. which includes a four-year undergraduate degree, four years of basic medical education, and internships and residencies after medical school.

Additional Training

A D.O. receives additional training in the musculoskeletal system which makes up two-thirds of the body's mass. This gives the D.O. an understanding of how injury and illness in one part of the body can affect another part.

Treatment

Osteopathic treatment combines conventional medicine with spinal manipulation. Specialized manipulative techniques are used to facilitate the return of the body's normal motion and function to help the body heal itself.

Research

Studies have shown spinal manipulation to be effective in treating uncomplicated low back pain. For this condition, spinal manipulation is now the accepted treatment and is no longer considered alternative.

References

• Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine; Brent Bauer, MD; 2007
• American Osteopathic Association