I apologize for posting this in more than one forum (I also posted this in the physician’s forum), but I really need some help. I would be soo greatly appreciative to anyone who answers these. Here’s my original post:
"Hi all,
I am a pre-med student who is currently enrolled in a public speaking course. I am going to be doing an informative speech on osteopathic medicine. I figured this would be a perfect opportunity to explore some of the differences between osteopathic and allopathic medicine, since I am still unsure as to which I will pursue when the time comes. For part of my speech, I would like to include some first-hand knowledge from a DO, a student enrolled in an osteopathic program, or someone else who would be very knowledgeable about the topic. So if there is anyone kind enough to help me out a little bit and answer a couple questions, I would greatly appreciate it. The answers do not have to be lengthy at all. Thanks!
What are the core differences in philosophy, if any, between osteopathic and allopathic physicians?
What types of conditions can be treated with osteopathic manipulative techniques? "
my apologies to “nocheapones,” in my other response I was presumptious to think that s/he hadn’t done the necessary homework… that turns out not to be the case. Instead, s/he needs interview respondents to flesh out an already well-researched topic. So if anyone can respond, I’m sure it would be appreciated!
I just couldn’t pass this one up…and please, don’t let the username make you think I use OMT any more than the next guy which is to say, minimally and mostly only on family…
With that said, I’ll try to answer your two questions honestly, based on my limited experience as a student…
What are the core differences in philosophy, if any, between osteopathic and allopathic physicians?
Classically, what you’ll hear is that we treat the whole patient, not just the disease. I personally find that statement to be very disrespectful to my allopathic colleagues. Having said that, there is a subtle difference in training/philosophy between the two systems. While taking a course to review for COMLEX Level 2 with some allopathic students reviewing for USMLE Step 2, I noticed that the allopaths seemed to be more ‘scientific’ in the way they considered a patient than I was. Mind you, these were all people going into either surgical specialties or internal medicine specialities. Maybe it was because I was going into Family Medicine, but I wanted to know the totality of the picture before deciding what the heck I wanted to do and exactly how I was going to tailor a treatment plan. Now, obviously it’s situational…if I’ve got a symptomatic MI on my hands, there are definitely some very well defined ‘next steps’ to take…if they’re in my office for a chronic disease problem, it’s more of an art with an eye towards achieving as much functionality and quality of life for the patient as possible…but allopathic FPs do that also…
In this day and age, we train side by side. While I know this would cause shock waves throughout the AOA, most of the current students don’t really see any difference in the way we’re trained. Most D.O.'s have a hard time articulating a definitive difference between the two systems.
What types of conditions can be treated with osteopathic manipulative techniques? "
What we’re taught in OMM is that most if not all systemic complaints can be improved if not outright cured with OMM. The reality is that there’s very little proof other than anecdotal. That’s the purpose behind the Osteopathic Research Center at TCOM. Thus far, to my knowledge, there have been limited studies with Parkinson’s, low back pain, and COPD. There was also a study set up by a 3rd year DO/PhD student where a coronary vessel was occluded in a canine and 2 or 3 OMM profs palpated for changes in the T-Spine. Supposedly, all detected palpable changes thus adding ‘credit’ to the idea that somatic dysfunction of a cardiac nature is reflected in T1-T4. It’s been written up in the Journal of Physiology (?) and you can find the paper on the SDN osteopathic forum.
In my own limited experience, I’ve treated migraine headaches (decreasing the migraines in frequency from 1 or 2 a week to 1 every 4 to 6 weeks -> OA/AA somatic dysfunction aka ‘her head wasn’t on straight’), constipation, foot pain at the tarsal/metatarsal junction and low back pain. I have had an experience where I treated a sacrum that had been displaced for over 10 years and provided immediate relief such that the patient was looking me up at my preceptors office to thank me. This was after visits to chiropractors, accupuncturists, pain management specialists, PT, etc. Does that mean I’m completely sold on OMM for everything? No. It’s just an extra tool that I can try if everything else isn’t working…
Having said all of that - I’m completely happy with being a D.O. student and (115 days and counting) soon to be a D.O. I’ll probably use OMM where appropriate and maybe move into more of the preventive (not prevenTAtive) medicine side of things to help my patients. If any of my allopathic colleagues want to learn OMM or want me to treat their patients, hey, no biggie, just give me a buzz…I’ll probably be calling you for help also…it’s about the patient, not the initials after your name…
