what is the difference between allopathic and osteopathic medicine?

Answer 1

Allopathy or Allopathic medicine is the treatment of disease using conventional medical therapies, as opposed to the use of alternative medical or non-conventional therapies. The term "allopathy" has always referred to a principle of curing disease by administering substances that produce the opposite effect of the disease when given to a healthy human. (i.e. administering a laxative to relieve constipation)

Osteopathic medicine is a distinctive form of medical practice in the United States. Osteopathic medicine provides all of the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment through a system of therapy known as osteopathic manipulative medicine. Osteopathic Medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health education, injury prevention and disease prevention.

Answer 2

It's just a difference in philosophy. Those who practice allopathic medicine believes that an illness, injury, affliction, etc. only affects part of your body, while those who practice osteopathic medicine believe these things affect the whole body. They have different methods of treatment based on their beliefs.