How to Find an Osteopathic Doctor
A doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) is licensed to practice and prescribe medicine just as a medical doctor (M.D.) is. Osteopathic doctors commonly work in family practice, but many specialize in a certain area such as dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, rheumatology, or orthopedics. Osteopathic medical schools focus on a whole-person approach to medical care. These doctors also practice osteopathic manipulative treatment, using their hands to make diagnoses and to encourage the body's natural inclination toward health. If you prefer an osteopathic doctor, there are several ways to find one.
Instructions
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Check the advertising section in your local phone book. Some books, like the CenturyTel Yellow Pages, have a special section for osteopathic physicians. Others, like the AT&T Yellow Pages, list osteopathic and medical doctors together in the same section under "Physicians and Surgeons." Many clinics employ osteopathic doctors along with medical doctors, so be sure to peruse listings that appear at first glance to only include M.D.s.
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Check the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) database online. You can enter a city, state, or ZIP code, along with the mileage you're willing to travel. See Resources below for a link to the AOA database.
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Go to your favorite search engine and type in "osteopath" and the name of the city in which you'd like to find an osteopathic doctor.
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Call your state's osteopathic board and ask for information on osteopathic doctors in your area. See Resources for a list of state medical and osteopathic boards along with their addresses, phone numbers, and websites.
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Call the clinic or hospital you prefer to go to, and ask if they have osteopathic doctors in family practice or in a specialty area.
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