What is an osteopath trained in? How different is that training from what an allopathic physician goes through? Osteopathic physicians (D.O.) and allopathic doctors (M.D.) are both licensed to perform surgery, prescribe drugs and practice in every medical specialty area available in the United States. Both kinds of doctors complete four years of medical school, both kinds of doctors are licensed and both kinds of doctors may see you for their area of specialty or may act as your primary caregiver, depending on the focus he or she chose to pursue while in medical school. Both doctors will refer you to a specialist if need be.
The main difference between an osteopathic physician and an allopathic doctor is the emphasis in the training an osteopathic physician receives, focusing on treating the whole body instead of the symptoms that may be bothering you. Like an M.D., osteopathic doctors go to graduate school, as an internship or a residency, for three to six years, but osteopaths focus a great deal more on the musculoskeletal system during those last few years of schooling. They study the way the bones, nerves and muscles are interrelated and work in conjunction with one another, exploring the way a healthy neuromuscular system should function, and how a system that has been compromised or diseased functions.
During this training, the osteopath is taught how to restore the compromised system to health using manipulative therapy, a form of therapy that requires manual adjusting of the muscles and bones. These skills are taught through classes, clinicals, case studies and supervised patient treatments as the student learns the proper techniques.
After completing the residency or internship, the osteopath student must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) or the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA). Some states require additional licensing, and some osteopaths go even further to pursue board certification by the American Osteopathic Association.
 | Osteopathy is a non-invasive, hands-on form of holistic medicine that aims to support the body's natural, self-healing ability by manipulating bones, muscle, ligaments and tissues to restore proper alignment and function to all bodily systems. |
 | Understanding osteopathic medicine and osteopathic manipulation can help you decide whether you would like to visit a doctor of osteopathy, known as a DO, or a medical doctor, MD. |
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Labyrinthitis can be treated with cranial osteopathy to help relive inflammation of the inner ear. It is more common in babies and children than adults. There are different ways to treat labyrinthitis, depending on its cause. Cranial osteopathy diagnoses and treats a disease by gentle manipulation of the skull bones. |
