A DO, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a fully licensed physician who is trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of medical conditions. In addition to the standard medical education that MDs (Doctors of Medicine) receive, DOs are trained in osteopathic principles, which emphasize the body’s ability to heal itself and the importance of the musculoskeletal system in overall health. DOs use a hands-on approach called Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to help restore balance and improve function, often complementing traditional medical treatments.

In the United States, there are two degrees that grant full practice rights to physicians: Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The training for both degrees is nearly identical, and the residency system is shared, meaning DOs practice in all specialties, from pediatrics to brain surgery. DOs tend to take a more holistic approach to medicine and are about twice as likely as MDs to practice in primary care.

The main difference in our education is that DOs receive over 100 hours of training in Osteopathic Philosophy and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), which involves using hands-on techniques to diagnose and treat conditions. However, after medical school, only about 20% of DOs—mostly family doctors—continue to use these manual techniques, with an even smaller number focusing exclusively on manual medicine.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) is the hands-on therapeutic application of guided forces by an osteopathic physician to address restrictions in tissues, fluids, organs, bones, muscles, and physiological systems of the body. Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM), on the other hand, encompasses the broader approach that combines osteopathic philosophy, structural diagnosis, and the use of OMT in diagnosing and managing a patient’s condition.

DOs who practice OMT use their highly trained sense of touch to feel subtle changes in tissue tension and quality throughout the body. This skill allows them to diagnose and treat areas of strain or dysfunction. Osteopathic practitioners are often able to detect the lasting effects of past injuries, accidents, trauma, or illness—issues that the body may have learned to compensate for over time. These compensations can contribute to ongoing symptoms, such as pain, loss of function, or poor healing, often appearing long after the initial event.

The diagnosis and treatment are closely linked, as osteopathic practitioners activate the body’s innate healing ability by providing gentle, targeted support to restore balance and release strain, trauma, and dysfunction. This helps the body return to a state of health.

Conditions That Can Benefit from Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)

Osteopathic treatment supports the body's natural healing process and can benefit nearly any condition, illness, or injury. Below is a non-comprehensive list of conditions that may improve with OMT:

Autonomic Imbalance Concerns:

• Vertigo

• Tinnitus

• Low energy

• Anxiety and excessive worrying

• Difficulty concentrating

• Vagus nerve imbalance

• Dizziness/lightheadedness

• Shortness of breath

• Poor digestion

• Palpitations

• Exercise intolerance

• Stress intolerance

• Low libido

Gastrointestinal Concerns:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

• Constipation

• Gastroparesis (slowed GI motility)

• Biliary dyskinesia

Headaches & Migraines:

• Post-concussion symptoms

• Craniosacral treatment / Cranial osteopathy

Infant Concerns:

• Poor latch/difficulty with nursing or bottle feeding

• Plagiocephaly (flat head)

• Torticollis

• Colic

• Reflux

• Craniosacral treatment / Osteopathy in the cranial field

• Constipation

Children’s Concerns:

• Gastrointestinal issues (constipation, chronic stomach pains)

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

• Craniosacral treatment / Cranial osteopathy

• Behavioral concerns (ADHD, autism, irritability)

• Headaches

• Acute or chronic ear infections

• Sports injuries

• Recurrent infections

• Repetitive strain injuries

ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) Concerns:

• Acute or chronic sinusitis

• Jaw pain

• TMJ dysfunction/pain

• Hyoid concerns

• Vertigo

Pregnant or Postpartum Women:

• Sacroiliac pain

• Low back pain

• Carpal tunnel symptoms

• Pregnancy-related ailments

• Craniosacral treatment / Cranial osteopathy

• Preparing the pelvis for delivery

• Turning a breech baby

Reproductive Concerns:

• Addressing structural issues that may affect fertility

Trauma:

• Sports injuries

• Falls

• Whiplash

• Motor vehicle accidents

• Post-surgical pain, swelling, and slow healing

Performance Arts Concerns:

• Voice and vocal issues

• Repetitive strain injuries

• Cervical strain

• Carpal tunnel symptoms

Pulmonary, Renal, Genitourinary, and Cardiac Concerns:

Neurologic Disorders:

• Tingling, numbness, and referred pain

Musculoskeletal Pain/Problems:

• Neck pain

• Low back pain

• Arm pain

• Leg pain

• Radicular symptoms (numbness, tingling)

The primary difference between a DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) and a chiropractor lies in their training, techniques, and scope of practice. A DO is a fully licensed physician who has completed four years of medical school and an additional 3+ years of residency, where they care for patients in hospitals and outpatient settings. In addition to their general medical training, DOs are trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), a hands-on approach that often emphasizes gentle techniques to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues and support overall health.

Chiropractors, on the other hand, complete four years of chiropractic school and specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those related to spinal alignment. Chiropractors most commonly use 'high velocity' thrust techniques, often referred to as 'cracking,' to adjust the spine and joints.

I practice Osteopathy in the Cranial Field, which is the foundation for Craniosacral Therapy. This approach was developed by William Garner Sutherland, DO, who discovered that the bones of the skull have palpable motion and can be treated using osteopathic principles. He developed courses to teach these techniques, always emphasizing their context within osteopathy and whole-body treatment.

John Upledger, who trained in Sutherland's courses, later founded his own institute to teach non-physicians a protocol-based approach to treating the head and sacrum, which he named Craniosacral Therapy.