The "Other" category should really be named "Medical" category. Since my decade-long career as an editor, I've become an osteopathic medical student, starting the whole shabang over again. I recently completed my first year in the college of medicine at Touro University in Vallejo, Calif. I'm passionate about internal medicine, but my interest of speciality -- if I do specialize-- can vary depending on what I'm learning at the time.
A previous technical editor, I think it's only appropriate that I turn my discussion about osteopathic medicine into an FAQ page. Without further ado...
What's osteopathic medicine?
This is my number one question. I think the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine does a pretty good job of explaining osteopathy:
"Osteopathic medicine is a distinct form of medical practice in the United States. Osteopathic medicine provides all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention."
In my words: Osteopathy is similar to allopathic medicine (e.g. MDs' associated practice) in scientific foundation, practice, and scope. However, DOs have a specialized understanding of neuro-skeletal-muscular elements and are taught osteopathic manipulative medicine to approach related somatic dysfunctions. In addition, DOs are educated to approach the body more holistically; many DOs work in primary care.
What's OMM?
Osteopathic manipulative medicine is a form of diagnosing and treating dysfunctions related to muscular, skeletal, neuronal and related systems. Osteopaths use OMM to treat patients through palpatory techniques -- including counterstrain, high-velocity. low-amplitude, muscle energy, and other hands-on forms.