About Osteopathic Physicians
One out of 20 physicians in the U.S. practices osteopathic, rather than allopathic medicine. Trained at osteopathic medical colleges, osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) are similar to M.D.s in education, but practice a more holistic approach to health care. D.O.s emphasize preventive medicine and the body's natural ability to heal and regulate itself when the systems within it are working together in harmony. Instead of just treating specific symptoms, D.O.s concentrate on treating the whole person.
Osteopathic physicians are fully trained and licensed to prescribe medication and to perform surgery. They focus special attention on the musculoskeletal system, which reflects and influences the condition of all other body systems. Unlike M.D.s, D.O.s are trained in osteopathic manipulation, which helps restore the body's musculoskeletal structure to it's natural, healthy state.
D.O.s practice in all branches of medicine and surgery, from psychiatry to obstetrics, from geriatrics to emergency medicine. However, D.O.s are trained to be doctors first and specialists second. The majority are family-oriented, primary care physicians. Licensed in all 50 states, D.O.s also serve in the U.S. Armed Services, U.S. Public Health Services, Veterans Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration.
For over 100 years, osteopathic physicians have been providing a unique form of health care. Using the latest in modern medical care, D.O.s have been able to offer something more in the way of holistic, preventive medicine and osteopathic manipulation. This "something more" has made osteopathic medicine the fastest growing health care profession.