What is doctor of osteopathy

The art and science of OMM pertain to the assessment of the impact of the malfunctioning neuromusculoskeletal systems on health and disease, and designing appropriate interventions which often include some form of OMT. There are approximately 15 major types of OMT and more than 1, individual techniques.

OMM is incorporated into the training of all osteopathic physicians. With OMM, DOs use their hands to diagnose injury and illness and to encourage your body's natural tendency toward good health.

By combining all other medical procedures with OMM, DOs offer their patients the most comprehensive care available in medicine today. The osteopathic curriculum involves four years of academic study, with an emphasis on preventive medicine and holistic patient care.

DOs serve a one-year internship, gaining hands-on experience in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, pediatrics and surgery.

This experience ensures that osteopathic physicians are first trained as primary care physicians—even if they plan to pursue a specialty. Many DOs then complete a residency program in a specialty area , which typically requires two to six years of additional training. Andrew T. Still, a MD who was dissatisfied with the effectiveness of 19th century medicine, pioneered osteopathic medicine. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references About D. American Osteopathic Association. Accessed Dec. Shannon SC. The status and future of osteopathic medical education in the United States. Academic Medicine. Terminology for reporting on osteopathic medicine. The difference between U. American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. See also After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use? Age isn't a barrier to organ donation Myths about cancer causes Plastic surgery Create a family health record Do you have a living will?

Emergency essentials: Putting together a survival kit Emergency health information Had an eye exam lately? Health savings accounts Kidney donation: Are there long-term risks? The profession is one of the fastest growing segments in health care today, with one out of every four medical students enrolled in an osteopathic medical school. Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine, or DOs, complete four years of osteopathic medical school , with an emphasis on preventive medicine and comprehensive patient care.

They are trained to recognize the interrelated unity among all systems of the body, each working with the other to promote overall health and wellness. Upon graduating from medical school, DOs complete internships, residencies and fellowships.

This training lasts three to eight years and prepares them to become licensed and board-certified. Like all physicians in the U. Requirements vary by state. Typically, licensure requires successful completion of a medical licensing exam administered by the state licensing board or acceptance of a certificate issued by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners upon completion of a rigorous series of exams.

The Federation of State Medical Boards provides a directory of state licensing boards that can be contacted for information regarding physician licensure. DOs earn board certification when they achieve expertise in a medical specialty or subspecialty by meeting the requirements of a specialty certifying board.