To become a D.O., an individual must graduate from one of the nation's osteopathic medical schools, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditationm and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  The curriculum at osteopathic medical schools consists of four years of academic study identical to that of our allopathic counterparts (MDs) with the addition of 200+ hours of initial training in osteopathic principles and osteopathic manipulative treatment. The Osteopathic philosophy emphasizes preventive medicine and comprehensive patient care and is based off of four main tenets:

1. The person consists of body, mind, and spirit.

2. The body is capable of self-regulation and healing.

3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the above tenets.

The idea is, if we can keep our body, mind, and spirit healthy, then we can achieve our highest health potential.

After completing osteopathic medical school, D.O's obtain graduate medical education through internships, residencies and fellowships. D.O's specialize in all areas of medicine, ranging from such primary care disciplines as family medicine, general internal medicine, and pediatrics to such specialized disciplines as surgery, radiology, oncology and psychiatry. D.O's receive extra training in the musculoskeletal system—your body's interconnected system of nerves, muscles and bones that makes up two - thirds of your body mass. This training provides osteopathic physicians with a better understanding of how an illness or injury in one part of your body can affect other parts.