DO refers to a doctor of osteopathic medicine who has a license to practice in the field of medicine, prescribe medicines, and conduct surgeries. This type of physician has undergone extensive training and formal education in an osteopathic medical school.
Just like a doctor of medicine (M.D.), a D.O. has completed 4 years of education in a medical school and can choose a specialty to practice. The difference is that osteopathic physicians have received 300 to 500 hours of additional study and hands-on training about the musculoskeletal system and manual medicine.
A doctor of osteopathic medicine can also become board certified just like a doctor of medicine by passing the board exams and finishing a residency of 2-6 years in a specialty area. D.O.s may practice in various specialty areas of medicine such as cardiovascular surgery, geriatrics, and psychiatry. Most of the osteopathic physicians also make use of medical treatments and procedures performed by an M.D.
As mentioned, D.O.s have undergone additional training in the manipulation of the musculoskeletal system or the interconnected system of muscles, nerves, and bones. This extra training enables D.O.s to acquire a better understanding about how a medical problem or injury in a body part is possible to affect another one.
Doctors of osteopathic medicine are basically trained to make use of their hands to diagnose a health problem or injury and help the body heal itself. They also look at the person holistically, instead of just focusing on specific symptoms. In relation to this, D.O.s also subscribe to the belief that all body parts work together and can affect each other.
Aside from conducting Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) that is used for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and health problems, D.O.s are also trained to educate patients about the ways to prevent medical issues through a healthy lifestyle.
