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19 Jul 06 - 09:40 AM (#1787212) Subject: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: GUEST, looking for your experiences I've had so many really bad experiences with doctors, I gave up on going to see them. But there are times when you need a family doctor. I've met a doctor of osteopathy who seems promising. Medline's description: "A doctor of osteopathic medicine (D.O.) is a physician licensed to perform surgery and prescribe medication. Like an M.D., an osteopath completes 4 years of medical school and can choose to practice in any specialty of medicine. However, osteopaths receive an additional 300 to 500 hours in the study of hands-on manual medicine and the body's musculoskeletal system. Osteopathic medicine is dedicated to treating and healing the entire patient as a whole, rather than focusing on one system or body part. An osteopath will often use a treatment method called manipulation -- a hands-on approach to assure that the body is moving freely. This free motion ensures that all of your body's natural healing systems are free to work unhindered. Osteopaths hold to the principle that a patient's history of illness and physical trauma are written into the body's structure. The osteopath's highly developed sense of touch allows the physician to palpate (feel) the patient's "living anatomy" (the flow of fluids, motion and texture of tissues, and structural make-up). The osteopath's job is to "set" the body to heal itself. To do so, the Osteopath gently applies a precise amount of force to promote healthy movement of tissues, eliminate abnormal movements, and release compressed bones and joints. In addition, the areas being treated require proper positioning to assist the body's ability to regain normal tissue function. This process is called osteopathic manual medicine (OMM) or osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT). Over the years, the gap between "conventional" medicine and osteopathic medicine has narrowed, as M.D.s have embraced many of the premises of osteopathic medicine (such as recognizing the impact of stress on the immune system or posture on various body systems). In addition, D.O.s have incorporated the diagnostic and treatment techniques common to conventional medicine. Doctors of osteopathic medicine may be found in nearly any health care setting, from community clinics and private practices to academic medical centers. Like M.D.s, osteopaths are licensed at the state level. Osteopaths who wish to specialize may become "board certified" (in much the same manner as M.D.s) by completing a 2- to 6-year residency within the specialty area and passing the board certification exams." Do any of you have any experience with DO's? |
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19 Jul 06 - 09:47 AM (#1787217) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: Rapparee Just last week, in fact. And I have two or three who are friends. It depends on what you want done -- and this is from the DOs. Allopaths (the "regular" doctors, or MDs) are excellent for some things; DOs for others. I went last week for a stiff neck which I couldn't get rid of; she fixed me up with manipulations and a muscle relaxant and I'm feeling much better. On the other hand, even she said that for an infection (for example) an allopath might be a better choice. As I said, it depends on what's wrong. They're complementary professions. |
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19 Jul 06 - 09:50 AM (#1787224) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: GUEST, looking Thanks, Rapaire. Is it reasonable to assume (or request) that they will refer you or seek a consultation for matters outside their expertise if you choose them for your primary doctor? Could you ask your friends if that's part of their training? |
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19 Jul 06 - 10:20 AM (#1787245) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: Sorcha I use my DO for everything....very competent. |
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19 Jul 06 - 10:55 AM (#1787286) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: KateG I went to one for a while and he was excellent. Listened and tended to look at the big picture instead of just the symptoms. Worked magic on my back when I put it out moving a big flowerpot (silly me). Only problem was the routine 1-3 hour waits when you went for an appointment -- and this was a private practice in the USA -- so I changed doctors. |
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19 Jul 06 - 11:35 AM (#1787324) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: Sorcha Hell, you get to wait almost anywhere anymore. So? |
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19 Jul 06 - 11:38 AM (#1787331) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: Rapparee I went to a group practice and my primary allopath was out of town so this resident, a DO, took care of me. I'd go to either. As to referals, I don't know. Doctors of all sorts can be terribly jealous of other specialties. You could ask, though. |
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19 Jul 06 - 12:05 PM (#1787350) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: katlaughing DO's are the only kind of physcian I have gone to for the past thirty years, barring some of the specialists from last year during surgery. We used to have an osteopathic hospital here; it has morphed into one of the top 100 hospitals of its size in the US and most of the docs are osteos. I go to mine for everything and, yes, any of them worth their salt, will refer you when needed. Even my cardiologist is an osteo. For me, they treat the WHOLE person, not just the ailment, very holisitic AND they don't just treat symptoms. They try to look at the underlying problem. Their manipulation of my neck and back is of phenomenal help! The only bad experience I had was with one whom I think had too much of a bottom line OR thought I knew more than he did about my body. I went to him in Nov. of 2004 with what he diagnosed as bronchitis. A month later I was in hospital, almost dead from congestive heart failure. NOT a good thing. I switched docs right after that. I do NOT judge all osteos by that, though, NOR would I regular MDs. Each individual is going to be somewhat different, so you have to judge by how you feel with them, etc. I trust osteos much more, to be thorough, understanding, not rushed, and good listeners, as well as having all that an MD has in their training, experience, etc. Good Health! kat |
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19 Jul 06 - 01:28 PM (#1787420) Subject: RE: BS: MD, or DO (doctor of osteopathy)? From: dick greenhaus In the States, back in the 1950s, many promising pre-meds went for DO rather than MD because it was more difficult to get into conventional med schools. A bad DO is lousy. So is a bad MD. A good DO is great. So is a good MD. |