What Is Osteopathic Medicine?
Osteopathic medicine is a distinct approach to comprehensive, patient-centered healthcare that focuses on the whole person — not just a disease or symptom.
A Whole-Person Approach to Medicine
Osteopathic physicians, or DOs, are fully licensed physicians who practice medicine across the full range of specialties. Osteopathic medicine places additional emphasis on understanding how the body's systems work together.
Treat the Whole Person
Consider the patient's physical, mental, and overall well-being — not simply the condition being treated.
Body Systems Are Connected
Recognize the relationship between the body's structure and its function.
Focus on Prevention
Emphasize prevention, healthy living, and helping patients maintain long-term health.
Partner With Patients
Build meaningful relationships and work with patients to support their individual health goals.
More Than Treating Symptoms
Osteopathic physicians look beyond an isolated symptom or diagnosis and consider factors that may influence a patient's health.
- Lifestyle and environment
- Physical structure and function
- Prevention and wellness
- The patient's individual needs and goals
Comprehensive Medical Care
DOs receive comprehensive medical education and can diagnose, treat, prescribe medications, perform surgery, and practice in every medical specialty.
- ✓ Primary care
- ✓ Surgery
- ✓ Emergency medicine
- ✓ Neurology, cardiology, pediatrics & more
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
OMT is a hands-on approach that DOs with appropriate training may use to evaluate and treat certain musculoskeletal and other conditions.
DOs Are Fully Licensed Physicians
Osteopathic physicians are licensed to practice medicine throughout the United States.
What Can a DO Do?
DOs can diagnose illness, prescribe medications, perform procedures and surgery, practice in hospitals and clinics, and specialize in virtually every area of medicine.
DOs and MDs: What Do They Have in Common?
DOs and MDs are both fully licensed physicians. Both complete rigorous medical education and residency training and can practice across medical specialties.
MD
- Doctor of Medicine
- Comprehensive medical education
- Can practice in all medical specialties
- Can diagnose, treat, prescribe, and perform procedures
DO
- Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- Comprehensive medical education
- Can practice in all medical specialties
- Additional education in osteopathic principles and OMT
- Strong emphasis on whole-person care and prevention
Osteopathic Medicine in One Sentence
Osteopathic medicine combines comprehensive medical care with a whole-person approach that considers the connection between the body's structure, function, health, and well-being.
Learn More About Osteopathic Medicine
Explore what it means to be a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and discover how MOS supports osteopathic physicians throughout Massachusetts.
What Is a DO? →