Just saw it in someone's answer regarding using a D.O. instead of an M.D. for pain medications.
2006-10-17 16:56:02 · 6 answers · asked by ginger 4 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Today there is not a lot of difference between DOs and MDs. A Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), just like the MD, goes through four years of medical school and does a residency after passing licensing exams. The main difference when DOs came into being was the belief in treating the whole patient rather than just the sickness. DO school still teach osteo-muscular manipulation (think chiropractic type manuevers) but in general many DOs do surgery, prescribe meds and do whatever an MD does. They prescribe drugs like MDs so as well. So the biggest thing in choosing your physician is to find one that listens to you, and who you can relate to..the MD or DO at the end of their name doesn't matter. Both have equal education and manage the whole patient (whole body, not just the back and spine). BTW, a doctor of optometry is an OD, NOT a DO!
2006-10-17 17:03:15 · answer #1 · answered by gahrahstah 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A D.O. is a specialist in osteopathy.
Quoted from dictionary.com:
"A system of medicine based on the theory that disturbances in the musculoskeletal system affect other bodily parts, causing many disorders that can be corrected by various manipulative techniques in conjunction with conventional medical, surgical, pharmacological, and other therapeutic procedures."
2006-10-17 17:05:35 · answer #2 · answered by Tara662 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
MD - Medical Doctor.
Functionally, they do the same things. In the past, there was a big difference, and the two sides didn't like one another.
MDs like to say they're more scientific than the DO's. They tend to "run" the medical "industry."
DO's like to say that they've got a more holistic approach to medicine, and in fact they are legally able to charge for chiropractic work (for instance). Most alternative med docs will be DO's.
2006-10-17 17:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by geek49203 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A D.O. is a Doctor of Optometry
An M. D. is a Medical Doctor
It would be my choice to stick with the MD unless the pain is in your eye !
2006-10-17 17:00:19 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
One is a medical doctor one is a osteopathic doctor (like a chiropractor). The medical doctor is licensed to treat a multitude of symptoms and body issues, the DO is just for the back, spine, etc.
2006-10-17 17:01:33 · answer #5 · answered by We2Angels 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
One was in school longer basically
2006-10-17 16:58:41 · answer #6 · answered by JayR 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋