1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Back & Neck Pain

What is Osteopathic Medicine?

By , About.com Guide

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Question: What is Osteopathic Medicine?

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.

Answer:

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.

Explore Back & Neck Pain
About.com Special Features

8 Ways to Cut Drug Costs

Learn how to save money on medications with these recommendations. More >

Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds

Keep yourself, and your family, happy and healthy this fall with these tips. More >

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.
  1. Home
  2. Health
  3. Back & Neck Pain
  4. Doctors
  5. Osteopathy FAQs
  6. What is Osteopathic Medicine?>

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.