Osteopathy is a form of holistic medicine with some unique characteristics. Osteopaths are trained to treat the whole body and person rather than focusing only on the specific area of complaint, illness or injury. According to the American Osteopathic Association, there are an estimated 92,028 osteopathic physicians (or DOs) in the United States.
The philosophy of this type of medicine is that when one part of the body is compromised due to pain or illness, other parts of the body will compensate for it, causing additional health concerns and potential long-term issues with the overall health of a patient. Therefore, osteopaths will evaluate the entire person and will consider the impact of an injury or ailment on the entire body, rather than focusing solely on relieving one symptom or curing one complaint.
Osteopathy typically is viewed as a drug-free and non-invasive form of medicine, although osteopaths are board-certified medical doctors and are able to write prescriptions for patients in the same way a medical doctor would. The American Osteopathic Association notes that osteopaths are “a separate yet equal branch of American medical care.”
Osteopaths may be more likely to treat an ailment in natural ways prior to including drugs or invasive procedures. An osteopath typically will work to heal the body by treating the musculoskeletal framework, which involves the spine, muscles and joints. By ensuring that the body is working in alignment, the osteopath positively affects the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems. This holistic practice of medicine is believed to balance the systems of the body and improve overall health. Patients often experience a sense of well-being and feel more connected and in control of their health with this approach.