Frequently Asked Questions: Osteopathic Medicine
What is osteopathic medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a branch of healthcare that takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to patient care. Osteopathic physicians, also known as Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), undergo rigorous medical training that encompasses both traditional medical education and additional coursework in osteopathic principles and practices. They are trained to view the patient as a whole, considering not only physical symptoms but also the impact of emotional, social and environmental factors on health.
Osteopathic medicine promotes preventive care, wellness and the body's self-healing mechanisms, recognizing the importance of a balanced musculoskeletal system for overall well-being. With a focus on patient-centered care, osteopathic medicine aims to foster a strong doctor-patient relationship and provide compassionate, individualized, and comprehensive healthcare services.
Learn more about osteopathic medicine on the American Osteopathic Association's website.
What is the difference between allopathic schools and colleges of osteopathic medicine?
Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine:
- Award the degree of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- Utilize standard and advanced medications and surgical procedures to treat diseases.
- Emphasize a holistic approach to medicine, considering the interrelationship between the body's structure, function and its innate ability to heal
- Include coursework in osteopathic principles and manipulative treatment, which involves hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat medical issues
- Promote the integration of preventive care and wellness practices into patient treatment plans
- Encourage primary care and a comprehensive understanding of the patient as a whole, considering physical, emotional and social factors influencing health
- Place a strong emphasis on osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), which involves using manual techniques to diagnose and treat patients
- Often require completion of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for admission.
Allopathic Medical Schools:
- Award the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Focus primarily on the allopathic approach to medicine, which uses standard and advanced medications and surgical procedures to treat diseases
- Emphasize specialization and sub-specialization in various medical fields
- May have a narrower scope of holistic patient care, with a stronger focus on treating symptoms and diseases rather than addressing the whole person
- Typically have a longer history and broader recognition within the medical field
- Often require completion of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) for admission
Find more information about colleges of osteopathic medicine on the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine website.
What is an example of osteopathic medicine?
An osteopathic physician might approach the treatment of a patient with a sinus infection.
An osteopathic physician, trained in the principles of osteopathic medicine, would approach the patient's condition by considering not only the physical symptoms but also the underlying factors contributing to the condition. The physician would perform a thorough assessment of the patient's head, facial structures, neck, upper back, and the lymphatic system taking into account any imbalances, restrictions, or misalignments that may be affecting the area of the head, neck, upper chest and surrounding structures. Using osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), the physician would employ gentle hands-on techniques, soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release, to address and improve lymphatic drainage to promote optimal immune system function.
Additionally, the osteopathic physician would collaborate with the patient to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that may include exercise, lifestyle modifications, spiritual growth and other interventions to support the body's natural healing abilities and improve overall well-being.
How does osteopathic medicine align with Jesuit values?
Osteopathic medicine aligns harmoniously with the Jesuit education tradition, encompassing the values of intellectual rigor, ethical reasoning and holistic care. Jesuit institutions strive to cultivate well-rounded individuals who demonstrate compassion and a commitment to the greater good.
Osteopathic medicine, with its emphasis on treating the whole person and recognizing the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit, embraces this holistic approach. By promoting a comprehensive understanding of health and integrating scientific knowledge with a deep appreciation for the human person, osteopathic physicians trained within the Jesuit education tradition embody the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, in their medical practice. They combine their expert medical skills with a genuine concern for the well-being of patients, nurturing their physical, emotional, and spiritual health.