Answering Common Questions About Osteopathic Care
At Kore Regenerative Medicine, we are committed to helping our patients regain control over their physical and mental health. We provide our patients with the educational information and resources they need to gain a deeper understanding of how their diet, lifestyle, and behavioral habits affect their health. We maintain a strong focus on integrative and holistic healthcare and take a highly personalized approach to patient care. We will give you the time and space you need to fully explain your symptoms, concerns, and health history so that we can design a highly individualized treatment plan that works for you.
As part of our commitment to patient education and empowerment, we take a proactive approach to providing information. We are happy to answer any questions you have. Read through these answers to frequently asked questions about osteopathic care, and call us if you have a question that isn’t answered here.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a holistic, functional approach to health care and treating the body. An osteopath can provide clinical assessments and diagnoses, run tests, prescribe medications, and provide treatments and surgical and nonsurgical procedures. Osteopaths prioritize non-invasive, conservative treatment options first before turning to surgery or more invasive procedures.
What is an Osteopath or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine?
A Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or DO, is a licensed physician who specializes in treating the whole person, rather than just individual symptoms. DOs take a holistic approach to patient care and wellness and also focus on hands-on, all-natural treatment methods that relieve pain, improve function and mobility, and restore circulation. DOs address conditions that affect physical and mental health and use treatment options that unlock the body’s natural healing abilities, rather than relying on prescription medication or invasive procedures.
How are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine Trained?
Becoming a DO requires graduation a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, followed by attending an osteopathic medical school for at least four years. During or after medical school, a student must complete a residency program at a hospital, clinic, or osteopath’s office. This residency can last between three and seven years and will focus on a specialty. To become a fully licensed DO, you must commit to around 11-15 years of post-high school education and training. After earning a DO degree, a graduate must pass a rigorous licensing exam in their state and may take the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination or the United States Medical Licensing Examination. They may also need to provide references, undergo a background check, and pay fees. Most states also require DOs to complete a certain number of continuing education hours each year or during each licensing period.
What Conditions Are Treated with Osteopathy?
DOs can treat a wide range of conditions, illnesses, and symptoms. They can also offer preventive healthcare and help you manage your weight, diet, nutrition, and lifestyle. The most common conditions treated with osteopathy are:
- Musculoskeletal issues like back pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, arthritis, joint pain, and spinal conditions.
- Injuries, including sports injuries, auto injuries, work-related injuries, and repetitive stress injuries.
- Pre- and post-natal symptoms.
- Weight issues, including unexpected weight gain or weight loss and weight management.
- Chronic conditions and illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, diabetes, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, PCOS, IBS, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.
- Headaches and migraines.
- Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, stress, and more.
- Chronic pain.
- Pre- and post-surgical recovery.
- Rehabilitative care.
Should I See an MD or a DO?
The decision to see an MD or DO is a personal one, and you should use your own judgment to decide which specialist is right for you. You can also opt to see both an MD and a DO. MDs offer traditional medical treatment that focuses on symptom management, disease prevention, and a combination of medication, surgical or nonsurgical treatment, and lifestyle and behavior modification. DOs use some conventional medical treatments as well as all-natural and drug-free manual therapies. They also focus on treating the whole patient rather than just symptom management.
What is the Difference Between a DO and a Naturopath?
A naturopath is a doctor who graduates from a four year program in naturopathic medicine and passes a board exam administered by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. Naturopaths are not licensed and do not need to adhere to any specific regulations outlined by a governing body. Both naturopaths and DOs focus on holistic healthcare and promoting the body’s natural ability to heal itself, but DOs are licensed, carefully regulated, and committed to certain ethical and legal responsibilities. DOs can also perform more complex procedures and prescribe medication.
What is the Difference Between a Chiropractor and a DO?
A chiropractor is a medical professional who has earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and is licensed in their state. They are trained in treating musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders using manual adjustments of the body and spine. A DO can offer a wider range of treatment options and treat a wider range of conditions.
What Specialties do Osteopaths Have?
Osteopaths can focus on certain specialties and sub-specialties and will undergo additional education and training to qualify for these specialties. They may choose to specialize in pediatrics, surgery, primary care, family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, neurology, orthopedics, and dermatology.
What Tests and Procedures do Osteopaths Offer?
DOs can perform the same types of tests and procedures a medical doctor can perform, including performing exams and assessments, running diagnostic imaging tests like x-rays, MRIs, and CT scans, running laboratory testing, performing biopsies, and prescribing medications.
Schedule a Consultation for Osteopathic Care in Golden, CO
If you’re ready to explore all the benefits of osteopathic care in Golden, CO, Dr. Jordanna Quin and our team at Kore Regenerative Medicine are standing by, ready to help. We would love to help you integrate osteopathy into your holistic healthcare program. Call us now or fill out our online contact form to learn more or schedule a consultation for osteopathic manipulation. We also specialize in regenerative medicine, IV therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, ketamine therapy, functional medicine, and facial aesthetics. We look forward to guiding you on your health and wellness journey.
