Osteopathic Principles and Practice

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The philosophy and approach to medicine that distinguishes osteopathic medicine from allopathic medicine.

Anatomy: The study of bodily structures.
Physiology: The study of the functions and processes of the human body.
Pathology: The study of the causes and effects of diseases.
Biomechanics: The study of how the body moves and functions.
Embryology: The study of the development of an organism from a fertilized egg.
Neurology: The study of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Pharmacology: The study of drugs and their effects on the body.
Immunology: The study of the immune system and its functions.
Nutrition: The study of how the body processes and utilizes food.
Psychology: The study of mental processes and behaviors.
Epidemiology: The study of the distribution, causes and control of diseases in populations.
Radiology: The study of medical imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI.
Osteopathic techniques: Hands-on manipulations performed by osteopathic physicians to promote healing and wellness.
Osteopathic philosophy: A holistic approach to healthcare focused on treating the whole patient rather than just the symptoms of their illness.
Palpation: A key element of osteopathic diagnosis, in which the physician feels the patient's tissues and organs to assess their condition.
Diagnosis: The process of determining the cause of a patient's symptoms or disorder.
Treatment: The various methods used to alleviate a patient's symptoms or cure their disorder.
Rehabilitation: The process of restoring function and mobility after injury or illness.
Health and wellness: The promotion of a healthy lifestyle, preventive medicine, and self-care.
Ethics: The moral principles and guidelines that inform the practice of medicine.
The human body is a unit, and the body functions as an integrated unit of mind, body, and spirit: .
The body is capable of self-regulation and self-healing: .
Structure and function are interrelated, meaning the musculoskeletal system can impact the body's other systems: .
The physician's role is to facilitate the body's self-healing mechanisms by addressing the underlying structural and functional issues: .
Prevention and health maintenance are key components of osteopathic medicine, which empower patients to take charge of their health.: Prevention and health maintenance in osteopathic medicine emphasize empowering patients to actively participate in their own well-being and overall health outcomes.
"Osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession in the United States that promotes the practice of science-based medicine, often referred to in this context as allopathic medicine, with a set of philosophy and principles set by its earlier form, osteopathy."
"Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are graduates of American osteopathic medical colleges and are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine and surgery in all 50 US states."
"The field is distinct from osteopathic practices offered in nations outside of the U.S., whose practitioners are generally not considered part of core medical staff nor of medicine itself, but rather are alternative medicine practitioners."
"The other major branch of medicine in the United States is referred to by practitioners of osteopathic medicine as allopathic medicine."
"By the middle of the 20th century, the profession had moved closer to mainstream medicine. American 'osteopaths' became 'osteopathic medical doctors,' ultimately achieving full practice rights as medical doctors in all 50 states."
"The training of osteopathic physicians in the United States is now virtually indistinguishable from the training of 'allopathic' physicians (MDs)."
"Though still trained in osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) during medical school, the modern derivative of Andrew Taylor Still's techniques, the majority of practicing physicians with a DO degree do not practice OMT in their daily work."
"DOs use all conventional methods of diagnosis and treatment and practice across all specialties of medicine and surgery."
"85 [countries] of which provided them [DOs] with the full scope of medical and surgical practice."
"Osteopathic physicians (DOs) are licensed to practice the full scope of medicine and surgery in all 50 US states."
"Osteopathic physicians attend four years of medical school like their MD counterparts."
"There are ongoing debates about the utility of maintaining separate, distinct pathways for educating physicians in the United States."
"They have historically applied for medical licensure in 87 countries outside of the United States."
"Acquiring equivalent education in medicine and surgery."
"DOs also attend the same graduate medical education programs (ACGME-accredited residencies and/or fellowships) as their MD counterparts to acquire their license as physicians and surgeons."
"The other major branch of medicine in the United States is referred to by practitioners of osteopathic medicine as allopathic medicine."
"Osteopathic medicine is a branch of the medical profession in the United States that promotes the practice of science-based medicine, often referred to in this context as allopathic medicine, with a set of philosophy and principles set by its earlier form, osteopathy."
"The field is distinct from osteopathic practices offered in nations outside of the U.S., whose practitioners are generally not considered part of core medical staff nor of medicine itself, but rather are alternative medicine practitioners."
"The field is distinct from osteopathic practices offered in nations outside of the U.S., whose practitioners are generally not considered part of core medical staff nor of medicine itself, but rather are alternative medicine practitioners."
"In modern medicine in the U.S., any distinction between the MD and the DO professions has eroded steadily."