Osteopathic Medicine
What is Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic Medicine is a distinct branch of medical care that takes a whole-person approach to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. It was founded in the late 1800s in Kirksville, Missouri, by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, a medical doctor (M.D.) who believed that the medical practices of his time often did more harm than good. In response, he developed a new philosophy of care, one that emphasized the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
The term Osteopathy reflects Dr. Still’s core insight: that the structure of the body, particularly the bones and musculoskeletal system, has a profound impact on overall health and function. He recognized that by supporting the body’s structure, physicians could help patients recover more effectively and maintain better health.
Osteopathic medicine is rooted in a patient-focused, holistic approach to care.
Osteopathic medicine considers not only physical symptoms but also personal, emotional, and spiritual well-being—acknowledging that each of these aspects plays an important role in health. The practice of osteopathic medicine is guided by four foundational principles:
01
The body is a dynamic unit of function.
All parts of the body are interconnected and work together as a whole.
02
The body possesses self-regulatory and self-healing mechanisms.
When supported appropriately, the body has the ability to restore and maintain health.
03
Structure and function are interrelated.
How the body is structured affects how it functions, and vice versa.
04
Rational treatment is based on these principles.
Treatment is based on an understanding of the body’s unity, self-healing ability, and the connection between structure and function.
What is Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM) ?
Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM) and Osteopathic Manual Treatment (OMT), are often used interchangeably to describe the manual techniques used to apply the principles of osteopathic medicine in the diagnosis and management of a patient.
OMT involves the skilled use of the physician’s hands to assess and correct imbalances—such as twists, restrictions, or misalignments—in the body’s bones, muscles, fascia, and connective tissues.
These small dysfunctions, known as somatic dysfunctions, can interfere with the normal flow of nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatics, and could contribute to or cause disease, illness, or injury. DOs use OMT to help restore balance and mobility, reduce pain, and improve the body’s ability to function and heal.
OMT is used across a wide range of medical conditions, from newborn latch difficulties and developmental delays, to headaches, digestive issues and musculoskeletal pain.
Key goals of OMT include:
Restoring optimal structural alignment
Enhancing circulation and lymphatic flow
Reducing pain and improving range of motion
Promoting the body's innate healing capacity
Supporting nervous system balance
By addressing the structural component of disease, DOs help the body function at its best—within the limits of its current condition—without relying solely on medications or invasive interventions.
What is a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) vs MD (Doctor of Medicine)?
Both DOs (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine) and MDs (Doctors of Medicine) are fully licensed physicians with equivalent education, training, and qualifications. Both can prescribe medications, order imaging and lab work, and provide comprehensive medical care. MDs follow an allopathic approach focused on treating disease and symptoms with medications and conventional methods, whereas DOs take a whole-person approach that emphasizes how the body’s structure affects its ability to function. In addition to providing the full range of medical care, DOs are uniquely trained in Osteopathic Manual Medicine (OMM), using hands-on techniques to support the body’s systems and restore balance.
Dr. Haas has exceptional experience with a variety of conditions and ailments. I have a rare foot disease that makes walking painful. I trust almost no one to touch my feet, except for Dr. Haas. After a visit with Dr. Haas, my body reacts to the treatment immediately. My range of motion and tolerance for activity increases exponentially and my chronic back pain recedes to allow me to function normally.
- Natalie
Find more information at:
American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine
https://www.aacom.org/become-a-doctor
The Osteopathic Cranial Academy
https://cranialacademy.org/patients/about-osteopathy/
American Academy of Osteopathy