If you're like most people, you've been going to a doctor ever since you were born, and perhaps were not aware whether you were seeing a D.O. (Osteopathic Physician) or an M.D. (Allopathic Physician).
D.O.s and M.D.s are the only complete physicians licensed to practice medicine and all its branches, perform surgery, and prescribe medications. Both complete four years of basic medical education; both can choose a specialty after completing a residency program of 2-6 years in length. Both practice in fully accredited medical centers, hospitals and in private practice.
"Osteopathic medical treatment and care focuses on both the patient AND the family", says Dr. Fox. An osteopathic physician is trained with a philosophy that focuses on the "whole person" approach to medicine, not just symptoms and illnesses. D.O.s learn to recognize the body's ability to heal itself and to stress preventive medicine as a cornerstone to their practice. In coordination with appropriate medical treatment, an osteopathic physician acts as a teacher to help patients take more responsibility for their own wellbeing. As a natural outgrowth from the osteopathic philosophy, today, many sports medicine physicians are D.O.s.