In the United States of America, there are two types of physicians licensed to practice: the first is the allopathic Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) that most people are familiar with, and the second is the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), also known as Doctor of Osteopathy, or osteopathic physician. Osteopathic physicians are fully licensed physicians who practice in all areas of medicine, including surgery and pharmacology. Emphasizing a holistic approach to treatment and care, osteopathic physicians are trained to listen to and often work hand-in-hand with their patients to promote health. In addition to allopathic medicine training (like M.D.), osteopathic physicians also received special training in hands-on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), also known as osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), to work non-invasively and gently with their hands on the human musculoskeletal system, as well as the body’s interconnected system of nerves, muscles, and bones. Osteopathic physicians focus on the mind, body, and spirit, by addressing how lifestyle and environment impact wellbeing.
Other osteopathic manual practitioners who are educated in the European style (without training in surgery and pharmacology) are given the professional designations of Master of Science in Osteopathy or M.Sc (Ost.), Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost.), Bachelor of Science in Osteopathy or B.Sc (Ost.), Bachelor of Science in Osteopathic Manual Practice or B.Sc (OMP), D.O.M.P. (Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Practice) or D.O.M.T.P. (Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Therapy Practice).
The OMT-focused tradition of Osteopathy has become the standard of practice outside the United States of America and has contributed significantly to the science, art, and practice of Osteopathy.
