Osteopathy Advantages
Osteopathy offers many advantages including doctors who are fully trained physicians. Osteopaths use spinal manipulation and also train in a variety of specialties. They practice in clinics across the country, including the Mayo Clinic.
Training
The doctor of osteopathy, D.O., is a physician who is licensed to practice medicine, write prescriptions and perform surgery. In addition to medical school, the D.O. must complete an additional 300 to 500 hours of hands-on study.
Advantages
An advantage of osteopathy is the focus on, and treatment of, the whole person--including the mind--rather than treating isolated body parts or symptoms. An osteopath can also combine conventional treatment when necessary, such as writing prescriptions.
Spinal Manipulation
Osteopathy uses spinal manipulation (also referred to as spinal adjustment). This hands-on treatment is designed to put the patient back in touch with the entire body in order to assist it in healing.
Specialties
The doctor of osteopathy uses many of the medical and surgical treatments used by other medical doctors. The D.O. works in all medical specialties including emergency medicine, cardiovascular surgery, geriatrics and psychiatry.
Clinical Opinion
According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have shown spinal manipulation to be effective for treating low back pain. Further, it is the accepted form of treatment and is no longer considered alternative.
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