Anyone know what an osteopath does?

[dixiegrrrrl]

or have been to one?

I am going to be seeing one in a week or so, referred by my primary doc.

[Windy]

11. Where in the world did you get that bogus information btw....

LECOM http://lecom.edu/

MSU http://www.com.msu.edu/

[yellerpup]

12. I apologize and have deleted the post.

I was going on memory of some family members who always went to Osteopaths and information I was told probably 50 years ago. It was not my intention to give false information or offend.

[Waltons_Mtn]

2. My wife the nurse sends patients to rehab hospitals that have Osteopaths on staff.

Since she used to work for that hospital too she knows them. She says they can really help with joint pain.

[Windy]

3. osteopaths are physicians who DO go through the exact same clinical rotations

As MDs. The difference is in the approach to practice. They are taught to be more patient centered. They also take additional classes over and above medical school classes in spinal cord manipulation which most never use. DOs can take the MD step tests and the DO COMLEX tests if they so choose. There is no difference. My son is in DO school at LECOM so I know of what I speak.

[Esse Quam Videri]

4. My primary care physician is an osteopath

No complaints. Best that I have had as far as really paying attention to all of my issues.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. that is what I am looking for....

Primary doc is good, but I need someone who look at the whole range of symptoms to determine if I have muscle problems, bone problems, or what.
My reading about osteopaths indicated they took the whole body approach, which is what I want.

[Freddie]

5. Our family practice group has both MDs and DOs

You really can't tell the difference in how they treat patients.

[Gin]

6. I thought they were Chiropractors who can prescribe

Glad MD's are recognizing spinal manipulation as important....my Chiropractor is excellent. IMO

[ropi]

7. They are medical doctors.

One of the best primary care physicians I had was a D.O. It's a pity she left our area.

[HeeBGBz]

9. Diagnostician?

I think that's what I was told once. They are good at figuring out what's wrong with you.

[kestrel91316]

10. They are physicians. You usually won't notice any difference between an MD

family practice doctor and a DO family practice doctor. IMHO the DO's have a little chiropracter-ish leaning when it comes to orthopedic and back problems.

[Samjm]

13. Whole body approach

Our primary care doc is a DO, and we LOVE him. Generally speaking Osteopaths take a more whole body approach to treatment, and try to not only fix the symptoms but try and find the root cause and work on that too.

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. Sounds exactly what I have been looking for.

[Warpy]

15. Osteopaths are generalists who focus on nutrition, posture

and other non invasive treatments to complement allopathic medicine. You can find a lot of them working in rehab settings. I have worked with interns and residents in mainstream hospitals because they have to do the same treadmill that MDs have to do. Many MDs work with DOs to help patients with chronic issues.

They're knowledgeable practitioners, not quacks, and I think you'll find the experience rewarding.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. I prefer alternative medicine

so this is good to hear.

[Sgent]

17. Osteopath's are physicians (in the US)

the degree only exists due to historical purposes, but there is no real difference other than 2 electives in medical school.

Same:

Medical school entrance requirements
Licensing requirements
Residency requirements
Board and Licensing exams (mostly)*
Training

* -- a small number of osteopaths choose AOA certified residencies, which means they have the option to take the ostepopathic exams rather than the FLEX, its essentially the same exam, but there maybe small differences. Most take the FLEX exam, and same boards as everyone else.

The differences:

Due to historical issues, osteopathic schools are regulated slightly different than MD schools, and they are much less protective of turf. The number of schools has expanded much quicker than MD schools, and about 25% of all medical school graduates will be DO's in the next decades.

DO schools are slightly less competitive, although parity has almost been reached.

DO graduates must take 2 electives in medical school in osteopathic manipulation. Most promptly forget it thereafter.