Doctor of Osteopathy Profession (DO)

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History of profession

The first college of osteopathy was started in 1892 at Kirksville, Missouri, by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still. Dr. Still, who was originally educated as a conventional Doctor of Medicine (MD), believed that the continuum between health and illness was primarily influenced by the soundness and mechanical functioning of the body's structures. In contrast to conventional medicine, which historically focused on the individual systems of the body, osteopathic medicine's original premise emphasized the interactive relationships between all body systems, with a continually shifting balance to maintain a state of health.

Osteopaths tend to focus on the neuro-musculoskeletal system and may perform manipulations to treat a wide range of problems. DOs are trained to evaluate the body through taking histories, focusing not only on the health problem or concern but lifestyle issues as well (which in recent years have been emphasized more in conventional medical schools also). Over the years, the gap between "conventional" medicine and osteopathic medicine has narrowed as MDs have embraced many of the premises of osteopathic medicine (such as recognizing the impact of stress upon the immune system or posture upon various system functions) and DOs have incorporated many of the diagnostic and therapeutic techniques common to conventional medicine (such as obtaining lab work, prescribing medications).