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Q. What is Osteopathic Medicine?

From Anne Asher,
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Osteopathy is a branch of medicine developed by Andrew Taylor Still. The D.O., or Osteopath uses their hands to diagnose and treat illness based on imbalances present in the musculoskeletal system.

A.

Osteopathy is a medical discipline that blends:

  • bedside manner
  • a holistic view of the body beginning at the musculolskeletal system and
  • medical training equivalent to and on the same level as physician training.

Osteopathy involves the direct application of anatomy and physiology knowledge to the healing of sickness and injury, according to Joseph Goodman, head of the Department of Theory and Practice of Osteopathy at the College of Osteopaths in London.

The D.O. uses skills with their hands to diagnose and treat illness based on imbalances in the musculoskeletal system. This is called O.M.T. or Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

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