What  Is Osteopathy?
In the USA practitioners of Osteopathic Medicine are identified by the letters D.O., while Allopathic Physicians are identified by the initials M.D.. Osteopathy emphasizes the relationship between all organ systems of the body, specializing in the Musculoskeletal System, and the function of the entire body.   An Osteopath is licensed to prescribe medication and also perform surgery.  Although most are primary care physicians, D.O.s can practice in all branches and specialties of medicine and have the same rights and responsibilities as M.D.s.

An Osteopath is found in local hospitals, private practices, community health clinics, academic medical centers, and military hospitals – anywhere one would expect to find a physician.

How Did Osteopathy Get Started?
Andrew Taylor Still, an M.D., considered the father of Osteopathy, developed the discipline in 1874 after becoming disillusioned with how medicine was being practiced.  Dr. Still, a Civil War surgeon, was appalled by the ineffectiveness of traditional medical treatment in helping wounded soldiers.  Later, he watched three of his children die from meningitis, despite medical treatment.

Dr. Still was particularly distressed by the use of drugs of this era.  Many, such as arsenic and mercury compounds, he considered useless and even harmful. He focused on health, believing that the human body had the ability to heal itself.  He identified the Musculoskeletal System as an essential element of health, stressed the body’s ability to heal itself, and advocated preventative medicine, exercise, and nutrition. Unfortunately today many of the Osteopathic physicians also prescribe Allopathic prescription drugs for the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Osteopathy Vs. M.D.?
Osteopathy can help fibromyalgia patients since it takes a holistic approach to medicine when treating patients, this means they focus on the total person, not just the particular symptom, illness, or disease.  Osteopathy benefits Fibromyalgia patients as a complementary medicine because patients have such a vast array of fibromyalgia symptoms that need to be treated with a multi-faceted approach.  In traditional Osteopathic Medicine all the systems in the body, including the Musculoskeletal System, operate in an integrated way.  Problems with one system affect the others.  People with FIBROMYALGIA commonly use osteopathy.

Perhaps the most significant difference between D.O.s and M.D.s is the Osteopathic philosophy of considering the role of the Musculoskeletal System in relationship to symptoms and illness.  They generally have special training in recognizing and correcting structural problems through various manual techniques called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).  Given this concern with muscle and bone, it is not surprising to see many patients seek osteopathy for a fibromyalgia treatment.  Almost 9 out of 10 Osteopaths use OMT in their practice.  According to the American Osteopathic Association, they tend to use OMT as part of their treatment plan with about half of their patients.

In many ways, most Osteopaths today are almost indistinguishable from conventional physicians.  The primary differences are philosophical, and the types of diagnostic and treatment modalities that can be employed in medical care throughout their training.  While many Osteopaths incorporate manipulative techniques with contemporary medical practices, there is not a huge difference between a visit with a D.O. and a visit with a M.D. these days.

It is not surprising that there is so much common ground.  M.D.s have increasingly embraced a whole-person approach to medicine, for instance, recognizing the effect of stress on physical health.  Meanwhile, Osteopaths have embraced the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used by M.D.s for years, including the use of medication.  The vast majority of Osteopaths use the same medical therapies and medications as Allopathic physicians.

What Is The Training Of An Osteopathic Physician?
Both Osteopaths and M.D.s attend four years of medical school, and applicants to both generally have a four-year undergraduate degree.  After medical school, both D.O.s and M.D.s can choose to pursue a specialty, such as Orthopedics, Surgery, or Gynecology, which involves a 3 – 6 year postdoctoral training program.

Learn more about Fibromyalgia Facts about Osteopathy.