Osteopathy Overview

There are two types of physicians who can legally practice osteopathy, the allopathic physician, M.D., and the osteopathic physician or doctor of osteopathic medicine, D.O. Both types are licensed to prescribe medicine and perform surgery in the United States. The osteopathic physician believes a proper working musculoskeletal system is at the core of a person's well-being. They regard the body as a unit, not a collection of separate parts. ("Osteo" means bone, "path" means to suffer.)

The osteopath emphasizes the body's inherent capacity to defend and repair itself. When disruption of normal body function occurs, or environmental changes prevent the body from functioning regularly, disease ensues. These professionals believe somatic symptoms are not only the manifestations of disease but are factors that contribute to disease itself.

Most osteopathic physicians practice medicine just like medical doctors. But osteopaths are distinguished by their holistic philosophy. They assess the whole person, not just their bodies or their symptoms, and also place an emphasis on preventive care. These physicians use techniques like osteopathic manipulative treatment, which help diagnose illness and injury and encourage healing.