What is a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)?

If you're looking for a new healthcare provider, you may or may not have noticed the initials that come after their name. Have you ever wondered what they stand for?

The initials that follow medical providers' names are abbreviations for the type of training and certification they have. Nurses typically have a B.S.N. or R.N. certification, advanced practice providers usually either have an N.P. or P.A. certification and physicians will have M.D. or D.O. degrees.

In the United States, there are two kinds of degrees that allow people to become doctors and practice medicine: M.D. and D.O. Most people are familiar with the M.D. abbreviation and the D.O. abbreviation is becoming more and more common. That's because over the last 10 years, there has been a 68% increase in the total number of D.O.s.

So, you may be wondering, "What's a D.O. doctor?" Let's break it down.

What does D.O. stand for?

D.O. is an abbreviation for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. D.O.s can also be referred to as osteopaths.

What is the difference between an M.D. and D.O.?

Both M.D.s and D.O.s have very similar schooling and training requirements. M.D.s and D.O.s are both licensed to work in all 50 states, usually complete residencies at the same hospitals and work alongside one another as colleagues once they're practicing full time. The biggest difference between the two kinds of degrees is in the philosophy of care.

A doctor of medicine—or M.D.—is trained in allopathic medicine, which focuses on treating symptoms and diseases. A doctor of osteopathic medicine—or D.O.—is trained to treat the body as a whole, rather than identify and treat specific diseases.

What is osteopathic medicine?

Osteopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health that emphasizes the well-being of the whole person, rather than concentrating solely on the absence of illness or disease. In osteopathic medicine, a focus is placed on the interrelated unity of all systems in the body and how these systems work together.

D.O.s receive 300 hours of dedicated osteopathic manipulation medicine (OMM) training, which concentrates on the musculoskeletal system—the body's interconnected system of muscles, bones and nerves. This training reinforces the foundation of the osteopathic belief that all of the body's systems work together to keep you healthy.

What are the benefits of seeing an osteopath?

• D.O.s are fully licensed physicians.
• D.O.s often address health from both a medical and lifestyle perspective.
• D.O.s partner with you to prevent illness and injury.
• D.O.s look beyond symptoms of disease and illness to examine the whole person.
• D.O.s pair specialized knowledge of the body's interconnected systems with the most advanced technology and modern medicine.

When should you see an osteopath?

Whether you are sick and need healthcare or you are healthy and want to stay that way, now is a great time to see a D.O.

The United States has approximately 114,000 fully-licensed active and practicing osteopathic physicians. These D.O.s practice the entire scope of modern medicine, offering a patient-centered and holistic approach to diagnosing and treating illness and injury.

While D.O.s can practice in any healthcare specialty, their ability to look beyond symptoms of disease to treat the whole patient make D.O.s great primary care providers.

The D.O. medical abbreviation can give you a clue as to what kind of approach your provider will take with your health care. They tend to be preventative and are great with patients suffering from multiple issues at once.

What to expect when you have an appointment with a D.O.

You can expect individualized care when you have an appointment with a D.O. doctor, meaning that your doctor will be looking at issues holistically. A typical office visit with a D.O. includes four parts:

1. Interview. Your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, as well as your family, work and home life.
2. Exam. Your doctor will conduct a physical exam, including an evaluation of your spine, posture, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.
3. Diagnosis. Your doctor will consider the findings of the interview and exam to determine what could be causing your symptoms.
4. Treatment. Your doctor will recommend a treatment plan tailored to your needs. D.O.s suggest treatment based on the latest science and technology, along with options that complement pharmaceuticals and surgery.

How does one find a D.O.?

Making an appointment with a doctor typically isn't on the top of your to-do list when you are healthy, but this is actually the best time to see a doctor. Getting to know your doctor when you are healthy allows you to establish a relationship with your provider. This is important because when you do need medical treatment, you know where to go and you are comfortable with who you are seeing. Physical exams also provide you with the best opportunity to be proactive about your health care and catch any potential issues early.

Finding a D.O. primary care doctor at Reid Health is easy. You can call (765) 935-8934 or fill out our form online.