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Osteopathic Doctor


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Osteopathic Doctor

Find an osteopathic doctor to treat a patient's entire body rather than just the disease.

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Osteopathic Doctor Info

Osteopathic Doctor Summary:

Osteopathic physicians are fully licensed and qualified to diagnose medical conditions, to administer medical treatments, to prescribe necessary medications, and to perform surgical interventions. Doctors of Osteopathy have similar training and perform similar functions to medical doctors (M.D.s), but typically place a focus on preventive therapies in order to reduce the occurrence of disease, illness, and injury.

Osteopathic medicine looks at the individual as a whole and aims to correct illness and injury at its source rather than to simply place focus on alleviating symptoms as they occur.

Osteopathic Physician Conditions Treated:

Osteopathic physicians may treat a wide range of medical conditions, the same as any other medical doctor. Many doctors of osteopathy focus on family medicine, so will most likely face and treat a variety of general illness and injury as well as engage in examinations for preventive care. Some of the services provided may include treatment and prevention of:

Bacterial infections, including ear infections, and strep throat viral infections, including flu and the common cold. Childhood illness, including chickenpox and measles. Painful conditions, including arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Injuries that result in symptoms such as sprains and back pain. Chronic illness, including diabetes and high cholesterol. Osteopathic physicians also use physical examinations to teach patients preventive measures and to screen for more serious conditions such as cancer.

Osteopathic Physician Specialties:

While many doctors of osteopathy choose to practice in fields related to primary care, such as family medicine and pediatrics, just like medical doctors, osteopathic physicians may choose any specialty within the medical field including OB/GYN, Cardiology, Dermatology, Physical Therapy, Psychiatry, Endocrinology, Radiology, Oncology, and many others.

Osteopathic Physician Procedures and Treatments:

Like medical doctors, osteopathic physicians use a physical examination combined with patient interviews to make a diagnosis. Medical tests may be ordered for better diagnosis. Osteopathic physicians may recommend treatments and prescribe medications. Doctors of osteopathy also use osteopathic manipulative treatments, especially when used to alleviate painful conditions.

Osteopathic Physician Profession Details:

A doctor of osteopathy receives the same education and training as medical doctors and must pass similar tests and certifications for licensing to practice medicine. In addition, osteopathic physicians receive training in osteopathic medicine procedures, including the use of osteopathic manipulative treatment.

Osteopathic Physician Associations:

Doctors of osteopathy may join the American Osteopathic Association for member benefits that include special training and the ability to keep up with the latest advances in the osteopathic medicine field.

Osteopathic Doctor FAQs:

What is an Osteopathic Doctor?
An Osteopathic Doctor is a physician with special training in osteopathic philosophies. An Osteopathic Doctor treats patients with care for the whole person instead of just the disease.

What are the differences between a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and an Osteopathic Doctor?
An Osteopathic Doctor has the same degree and training as a Medical Doctor, but with emphasis on the musculoskeletal system to get a better understanding of how the body functions as a whole.

What types of Osteopathic Doctors are there?
An Osteopathic Doctor can specialize in family medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency medicine.

How many Osteopathic Doctors are there in the United States?
Wikipedia states that there were 87,300 Osteopathic Doctors in the United States in 2013.

Osteopathic Doctor Related Terms:
osteopathic, osteopathy, manipulative medicine, osteopathic manipulation