Osteopathic medicine is a philosophy and practice of physician care distinct in its whole-person approach and pioneering in its conceptualization of “wellness,” according to the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).
Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, also known as DOs, consider the connection between body, mind, and spirit in delivering care to their patients, and recognize the importance of touch in diagnosing and treating illnesses or injuries. Emphasis on prevention and wellness is central to the osteopathic philosophy, which promotes the body’s natural tendency toward health and self-healing.
DOs graduate from a college of osteopathic medicine and complete subsequent specialty training in residency programs and fellowships.
Osteopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing segments of the healthcare industry. Currently, more than 25 percent of all medical students in the U.S. are osteopathic medical students.
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is a set of hands-on techniques used by osteopathic physicians (DOs) to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury. OMT is part of a whole-person approach to care in which DOs partner with their patients to achieve optimal health.
Both OMT and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) fall under the broader category of Osteopathic Principles and Practice, which encompasses the philosophies, history, and concepts related to osteopathic medicine. OMM refers to the medical care that DOs provide to their patients, and OMT is the category of manual techniques used to help treat them.
Regardless of specialty, osteopathic physicians may find good use for incorporating osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in their practice. There are numerous positive health benefits associated with providing OMT to patients, including pain relief, enhanced mobility, and recovery support.
For a deeper look at osteopathic manipulative medicine and osteopathic manipulative treatment, visit the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM).
Osteopathic Physicians
Medical School
In the U.S., there are two pathways to practice medicine as a licensed physician. Aspiring doctors pursue their medical education by attending either an osteopathic medical school or an allopathic medical school. Osteopathic medical schools train Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), while allopathic medical schools train Doctors of Medicine (MDs).
The osteopathic medical profession is fast-growing, with nearly one-quarter of all medical students in the U.S. attending an osteopathic medical school. Both osteopathic and allopathic physicians are able to practice full-spectrum medicine. The differentiation between the two pathways come down to philosophy. Osteopathic physicians pride themselves on viewing their patients holistically — taking the patient’s mind, body, and spirit into account. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes preventive medicine and treating the patient, not the disease. Osteopathic physicians view their hands as powerful tools for healing, and osteopathic medical students spend more than 250 hours learning about the musculoskeletal system, which informs their learning of osteopathic manipulative medicine described above.