An osteopath, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), is a licensed medical professional who practices a whole-person approach to health care. DOs receive the same basic training as Medical Doctors (MDs) but also learn additional skills in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT).
How do osteopaths differ from traditional doctors?
- Holistic approach
DOs take a more holistic approach, aiming to treat each patient as a whole person rather than a compilation of symptoms or injuries. They believe that all body systems are interconnected and that the musculoskeletal system plays a crucial role in maintaining health.
- Preventive focus
Osteopaths emphasize prevention and helping the body heal itself. They tend to focus on understanding what may be keeping the body from healing, and may be able to adjust the body, which can make a difference when it comes to healing.
- Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)
OMT is a hands-on technique unique to osteopathic medicine. The doctor can physically move and shift your body to help it heal.
Choosing between DO and MD
The choice between a DO and an MD depends on your personal preferences and health needs.
Speaking from my own experience, my visits with DOs have been a pain-free and very relaxing experience. Members of my family have seen osteopaths to speed back pain recovery, help with TMJ and tinnitus, as well as improve digestion. We have seen first hand how DOs can improve/speed recovery.
Getting an evaluation from a DO can be helpful in surprising ways. If you feel like you’ve hit a wall with your MD, or you feel like you could benefit from a second opinion, you may wish to consider enlisting a DO for their opinion and support.
So how do I choose a DO?
Similar to selecting an MD, selecting your DO comes down to your needs, their focus, and your gut instinct after the first meeting. It can also come down to if they take your insurance, or if they will consider a sliding scale or payment. I always prefer references from friends who have had great experiences.
There are quite a few osteopaths in and around the Portland area, but Restoration Osteopathic Medicine (Vancouver, WA) stood out to me, as they received 160 reviews on Google, with an all-up average of 5-stars.
If you have a fantastic osteopath in the Portland area that you’d like to recommend – or you are an Osteopath who would like to write about Osteopathy, please send me an email at hello@pdxwellnessguide.com – I’m happy to update this article, as needed, so we can offer the community a solid list of practitioners.
