Defining the Osteopathic Physician
Over the past few years osteopathic medicine has been brought up more frequently than ever before. It is important to address both misleading claims regarding the credibility of osteopathic physicians and the benefits of osteopathic treatment. It is crucial for all pre-health students and health care professionals to be informed about osteopathic medicine, what it offers, and all the benefits that stem from being treated using the principles of osteopathic medicine.
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Commonly, people are misinformed about osteopathic medicine and what it means to be a DO. Osteopathic physicians have a strong understanding that when caring for one's health, it requires more than minimizing pain or eliminating symptoms. They aim to treat the patient as a whole person rather than simply masking symptoms. DO’s are trained to look at all parts of the patient to better understand their health and how to properly assess and treat depending on each specific patient. With an understanding of individual care directed towards each patient, they provide a unique approach to medical care.
The Osteopathic Philosophy
- The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind, and spirit.
- The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing, and health maintenance.
- Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.
- Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation, and the interrelationship of structure and function.
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OMM: Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
A common practice for DO’s is the use of manipulative medicine or also known as therapeutic medicine. Through use of meaningful manual pressure and force, physicians can provide instant pain relief or prevent injury and illness. Osteopathic physicians are trained to perform OMM/OMT and are the only providers in healthcare that are licensed to practice this type of hands-on regimen. With this type of treatment, one can find relief from common ailments that include arthritis, headaches, congestion, sports injuries, as well as pain relief in all parts of the body such as the neck, shoulders, lower back, and knees. DO’s recognize how one's structure plays a significant role in one’s function and use of OMM/OMT results in immediate functional improvements. OMM/OMT is a non-invasive way to make adjustments and provide the patient with instant relief geared towards each individual’s specific needs.
By Darby