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Osteopathy
Summary:
Osteopathy is based in the belief that the position of the various bones of the skeleton in relationship to each other have an important, even overriding influence on the function of the internal organs and that realignment of the skeleton has a beneficial effect in all areas of health. Osteopaths believe that a poorly aligned skeleton can block the flow of blood and lymph and that this accounts for many disorders. The manipulate the skeleton and believe that properly done the function of the nervous, digestive, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems are returned to health through the more efficient elimination of toxins. "Osteo" in Greek means bone, "pathos" means suffering. Osteopathy was first developed in 1874 by Missouri physician and surgeon Andrew Taylor Still.
In most US states, osteopaths complete a course of study equivalent to that of a medical doctor (M.D.), and are licensed to practice medicine. They may prescribe medication and perform surgery, and they often use manipulation techniques similar to chiropracty or physical therapy. They attend four years of osteopathic medical school, participate in residency programs, and many go on to specialize in fields such as pediatrics, surgery, internal medicine, or family practice. And, like M.D.s, osteopaths are subject to board certification in their chosen specialty and are eligible for membership in the American Medical Association. In fact when an osteopathic physician stops performing manipulations as many who have trained in a specialty do, the only way to distinguish an osteopathic doctor from a medical doctor is to look at their degree or business card (the doctor of osteopathy will have the initials D.O. behind his or her name instead of M.D.)
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