Osteopathic Medicine can be said to run parallel to Western medicine. A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), is a physician in every sense of the word. But, as with other holistic medicines, osteopathic practitioners believe that the whole body has to be in balance to maintain health. As such, they do not treat the symptoms of illness, as medical doctors do, but look at the whole person to determine how to treat an illness, including her eating habits and amount of physical activity. In particular, DOs look at the health of the musculoskeletal system as a key element in staying healthy. Muscles and bones work together with the rest of the body to keep the human body functioning. If there is damage or misalignment anywhere in the musculoskeletal system, illness results.
Osteopathic physicians use manipulation or touch therapy to help the body "fix itself," in addition to suggesting that patients change their mental states, diets and lifestyles.
History:
It all started with a headache. A 10-year-old Andrew Taylor Still, suffering from regular headaches and nausea, decided one day to construct a rope swing between two trees, on which he lay, back stretched and neck across the rope. The inadvertent therapy worked, and continued to work every time he had a headache. After becoming a physician, Still continued to research the workings of the body. After the loss of his first wife and four of his children to disease, Still grew unhappy with "modern" medical techniques. In 1874, he founded osteopathy, where patients were treated without drugs, and with the use of hands-on manipulation. November 1, 1892 saw the opening of the first American School of Osteopathy. Since its inception, Osteopathy has grown in popularity, and is now one of the largest styles of medicine.
Typical Treatment:
The first visit to a DO is very similar to that of a regular doctor. First-time patients must fill out a lot of paperwork on family history, past medical issues, current lifestyle choices, and type of work performed (under the premise that high stress positions can cause physical illness). Patients are asked what their goals for treatment are.
After the paperwork is completed, patients enter the exam room. The DO performs a physical exam, which will check for structural problems, including those in the joints and posture, as well as how the spine is aligned. The DO will also check for muscular inconsistencies. If necessary, a DO will request tests or lab work to confirm findings and make a more accurate diagnosis.
After a diagnosis is made, the DO will discuss his findings with the patient, and together they will agree on a proper treatment. The treatment might include standard medical procedures, like surgery or medication, or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
Conditions Treated:
Arthritis
Asthma
Back pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Circulatory problems
Constipation
Disc problems
Dizziness
Fibrositis
Headaches/Migraines
Insomnia
Joint pain
Lumbago
Menstrual Pain
Neck Pain
Neuralgia
Osteoarthritis
Postural problems
Rheumatism
Sciatica
Scoliosis
Spasms
Sports Injuries
Tennis elbow
Trapped nerve
Whiplash
Benefits:
Osteopathic treatments can help patients restore function and flexibility in damaged areas of the body.
DOs can serve as both medical doctors and holistic practitioners, and patients can be treated both traditionally and through manipulation without worrying about treatments interacting unfavorably.
Osteopathic treatment helps restore posture, and can retrain muscles to relax rather than contract.
Side-Effects/Contra-Indications:
Osteopathic treatment shouldn't be used in the case of fractures or bone disease.
If a person suffers from an infection, he should not request osteopathic manipulation.
There is a chance of mild soreness after some Osteopathic treatments, just as one would expect after extensive use of muscles.
Educations/Schools:
To become a Doctor of Osteopathy, students can expect to complete the same training as a Medical Doctor. After four years of undergraduate study to receive a bachelor's degree, students will take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). They choose an Osteopathic Medical School.
The first two years of schooling, students will focus on lectures/labs. The second two years will add clinical work on top of training. DO students complete training in traditional medicine in addition to learning manipulative medicine. After completing Osteopathic Medical School, some students will continue their studies through specialization. Those who choose to enter the workforce must often intern for at least one year in primary care.
Degree/License offered: Doctor of Osteopathy
Length of study: 8-14 years
Cost/Financial Aid: Those who want to become a Doctor of Osteopathy will need to complete an undergraduate degree first, and costs vary by school. The cost to attend a College of Osteopathic Medicine can run anywhere from $50,000-$60,000 per year. As such, only those serious about finishing their studies should consider this career. Financial Aid is available through public and private means.
Research:
Although Osteopathy is very similar to traditional medicine, there are still some studies geared particularly to understanding Osteopathic Manipulation, including the following:
How OMT (Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment) can regulate Fibroblast Cytokines.
How OMT can enhance the lymph flow in dogs
The effect of OMM on pain-induced sympathoexcitation.
The effects of Osteopathic manipulation on lower respiratory-tract infections
Training includes four years of Osteopathic College, plus internships or specialized training. Once completed with training, Osteopathic students take either the United States Medical Licensing Exam or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam.
Vermont was the first state to offer a license for Doctors of Osteopathy, but it took almost a century for all 50 states to allow Osteopathic physicians the same privileges as Medical Doctors. Now, Osteopaths are fully licensed everywhere that MDs are.
Average Salary/Hourly Rate:
Doctors of Osteopathy make anywhere from $117,000 as Pediatric Osteopathic doctors to $145,500 as Osteopathic Doctors of Internal Medicine. For those wanting a higher salary, Osteopathic Anesthesiologists make upwards of $250,000 per year. Hourly rates average $75-$80.
